Working Class to World Class

Wesley ter Haar, the visionary founder behind a global media powerhouse, shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Amsterdam as a working-class kid to becoming a young entrepreneur. Discover how he transformed his passion and creativity into a business that has become the envy of the media world.

Anamika Gupta shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming cultural stereotypes in India to becoming one of the most respected b2b marketers in the world.

John Cherry is an Executive Creative Director working for some of the biggest advertising agencies in the world. He reminisces about family holidays by bus, living with dyslexia, and his rise to success.
 
 

Jodene Van Lienden re-lives her turbulent upbringing, a breakdown in relationships, and bullying at school, all of which has fuelled her need and want to help others become their best selves today.

Music supervisor, Scott Velasquez, was brought up in a religious household where being gay was taboo. He candidly discusses his rise to success, working with global superstars like Lil Wayne, Chamillionaire, and Pitbull.

Joe Ngyuen shares his deeply personal story of life as a refugee, overcoming challenges that gave him the positive mindset to build a successful career.

Jeff Tan talks about bullying, religion, and not fitting in, and how this adversity focused him on becoming the success he is today.

Gordon Smith, well known for his performances at Kilmarnock, Rangers, and Manchester City, tells his story of living the dream as a football professional.

Bernard Ponsonby, a high profile broadcaster, tells how he could never have dreamt as a child that one day he’d be interviewing countless Prime Ministers and every single First Minister of Scotland.

Sir John Hegarty, one of the most prolific and respected figures in advertising takes a trip back down memory lane, reminiscing about the good old days.

Sometimes life is about being in the right place at the right time, and James Cross, Founder of Meanwhile, tells me about his serendipity past which led him to become an award-winning creative.

Rosemary Reed tells her fascinating story that changed her world from a proud cleaner to a TV Producer, mingling with the stars.

Working class, Allan Blair talks about his rising career, which now sees him as strategist for one of the biggest influencers in marketing, Gary Vaynerchuk of Vayner Media.

Beth Ann Kaminkow tells her emotional story of growing up in a single parent family and how many lessons in life set her up to become one of the most successful CEOs in advertising.
* This recording was made prior to the launch of VML, through a merger of VMLY&R Commerce & Wunderman Thompson

Ross King, who has embraced our TV screens for over 3 decades tells his humble story, which eventually led him to Hollywood.