As part of a group of IPA agencies, I recently completed a whirlwind tour of 18 of the most successful and fastest-growing businesses in Silicon Valley and Hollywood including Facebook, Google, LinkedIn and Disney.

I was lucky enough to go to Trinity College Glenalmond in Perthshire and, among its many wonderful facilities, the school had the River Almond flowing through its grounds.

Many years ago in America, Listerine had an antiseptic liquid for which it needed a mass-market use. So they invented bad breath, and with it mouthwash. And consequently they owned the market.

There are ten simple – but not always obvious – social principles that I’ve found useful while working in digital media for the past 20 years.

Tango’s ad ‘You know when you’ve been Tango’d’ slapped its way onto the TV screens.

R is for reading aloud. Hearing your words is a great way to help improve writing, says Elen Lewis

1 It’s said that a priest saved a young Hitler from drowning. 2 The average hug lasts three seconds. 3 The average age of a British farmer is 60.

As we learn more from neuroscience, sociology and behavioural economics, two themes keep appearing that have a major impact on the field of communications and building brands.

The best advice I ever got … Was from a boss who encouraged me to trust my instinct. I’d spent many years in strategic roles where every idea was analysed to death.

Sweet Lord Sugar probably learned to yell ‘You’re fired!’ at the midwives while still in his crib, but I was made of soppier stuff. The first time I fired someone I was 21, and it threw me into a tizzy.