Inspirational Consumer: September 2005

David Hawksworth, UK

Believe it or not, I discovered Lovemarks as part of a bet! Many years ago some friends and I were discussing plans to set-up a marketing company over dinner. As a result, we set a bet over who could get through to an influential leader in the field of marketing. I immediately chose Kevin Roberts. I tracked down Kevin’s email address, sent him an email, and he introduced me to the concept of Lovemarks in his reply. At this point there wasn’t the Lovemarks site there is today. I suggested my local deli, Battersea power station in London and a few others which made it onto the beginnings of what is today lovemarks.com.

A Lovemark always creates a true smile. It may be the smile on someone’s face as they walk into or out of their favourite store, the smile of someone as they catch a scent that triggers memories of a past love, a past life or a past experience. I love shopping and if there’s a Starbucks nearby I’ll ensure our paths cross at some point. Street cafés are great places to sit outside and capture life. I also enjoy browsing the shelves at Waterstone’s and Crombie’s, the tailors. I don’t get many lazy Sundays, but should the chance arise, it normally entails a freshly made macchiato, a copy of the Sunday Times and a tinker with my old classic cars.

I’ve come under fire for making Donald Trump my Lovemark, but remember, “Loyalty Beyond Reason”. Others I’d like to meet include Richard Branson, Nelson Mandela and Lance Armstrong. I’ve yet to get behind the wheel of an Aston Martin and would like to travel to New Zealand. I’ve been to many places in my life to date, but I’ve never been to the Edge!!! New Zealand seems to be a blueprint for the world, containing all the mystery and magic one would find in smaller doses around the globe, concentrated in one of the smallest countries around the globe.