Eoin McLAUGHLIN

What was your very first job? What does it feel like to look back at it now?

My first job was picking strawberries on a farm in County Wexford. It may sound idyllic, but it’s actually very tedious, low paid and back breaking labour. From stacking shelves to repossessing electrical equipment, all my old jobs make me appreciate where I am today.

Please describe, in your own words, what your current job is and what work it entails.

I am a Creative Director at 4 Creative / Channel 4. It’s my job to make sure our creative department write and produce risky, innovative and culturally potent work across all Channel 4 brands and services. And to have fun doing it.

How did you discover that the creative world is right for you? Was there a time in your life that you credit to this discovery? Which train of events did bring you to where you are today?

Life is an inexorable chain of predetermined events. I had no choice.

In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how and where do you usually find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?

Fear.

If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, especially for the creative work and innovation it required rather than its recognition or industry success, what would it be?

I have just written children’s book called 'The Hug'. It will be published by Faber & Faber next month, you can pre-order it now: https://www.faber.co.uk/9780571350605-the-hug.html