Malcolm Murray is director of sales at Sky Media Ireland. He has worked in advertising for over 22 years, including 17 years at BSkyB. He has helped expand the brand proposition across TV and online, including the launch of AdSmart, Sky’s addressable TV product. He previously spent five years planning and buying in Carat, Des O’Meara & Partners and Zenith.
01 What was your earliest ambition?
My love of TV started at an early age watching 1980’s shows like The A-Team, Knight Rider, Magnum PI and MacGyver, so my earliest ambition was to either be Tom Selleck and drive around in a Ferrari or be the fifth member of The A-Team
02 It’s our round. What are you having?
Thanks for asking. A pint of Guinness or a nice rioja please
03 Social media platform of choice?
04 A mentor or someone that inspired you?
Growing up I always wanted to be like my dad who could turn his hand at almost anything, having failed at that I’ve had the fortune to work closely with many great leaders in adland, including Shay Keany, Alan Cox and Sky’s Nick Milligan, John Litster and JD Buckley
05 If you could be born into another time and place, where and when would it be?
To quote Fatboy Slim ‘Right here, right now’. I love having my own bit of paradise in Co Meath, playing football with the kids and yearning to row 2km below seven minutes
06 Favourite writers?
Robert Ludlum and Vince Flynn
07 A film you’d watch again tonight?
May I have three? If so, Charlie Wilson’s War (pictured), The Other Guys and Step Brothers
08 Is there an unsung hero you’d like to thank?
Definitely my wife for putting up with me, offering me wise council and being so supportive
09 Something that no longer happens that you miss?
Friday nights in O’Briens, late lunch in town on Saturday and popping home to my parents on a Sunday to drop-off the washing
10 Desert island pet: Dog or cat?
Definitely a dog – Rosie is our chocolate Labrador
11 Favourite ad?
Audi R8 TV ad ‘Born on the racetrack, unleashed on the road’. The simplicity of having the car on rollers, seeing the bear engine and listening to the car accelerate through the gears before easing off and seeing the exhausts glow as it downshifts… maybe one-day
12 Are you an early adopter? What’s new?
Yes, when it comes to all things Sky. But more often than not, no. I’m somewhere between early and late majority, it took me a while to start using the car parking and airline apps and I’m not quite ready to make the leap to airpods
13 A brand to which you feel some loyalty?
Audi Quattro (above)
14 Someone you might be starstruck to meet?
Mark Wahlberg – musician, actor and workout guru
15 Something that recently brought a tear to your eye?
Watching 24 Hours in A&E and thinking of one of my loved ones in that situation
16 Something that recently got your goat?
I try not to let that happen
17 What would be your fantasy act of heroism?
Finding a way to make sure everyone has a place to call home
18 You’ve won the Euromillions and disappeared. Where might we find you?
A car showroom
19 Someone or something that strikes you as beautiful?
Mrs Murray and the latest Bentley Continental GT model!
20 ‘Here lies Malcolm Murray’. Complete your epitaph…
A family man who always tried to do better in life and didn’t take himself too seriously
