As far as Creative Directors go, Stan (http://branddna NULL.blogspot NULL.com) is one of the best. The ‘best’ is a select group of individuals we classify as ‘inspiring mentors you don’t want to let down’. They can make and break careers, we’ll tell you that much. But how are you supposed to excel when you don’t have one? Here’s a quick solution: Stick these quotes up on your wall and look at them every day. Then work really, really hard until something pops!

I was in Sydney over the weekend, so for this week’s Whip wisdom I turned to my friend Dave Birss, London based Creative Director and founder of Unchained (http://london NULL.unchainedguide NULL.com ).

“There’s a fine line between inspiration and plagiarism. Steer clear of it.”

“The biggest mistake you can make is assuming that your audience gives a shit.”

“Using an ellipsis (http://en NULL.wikipedia NULL.org/wiki/Ellipsis) at the end of a headline… makes you look like an amateur.”

“Our industry can move pretty fast. Take time to stop and smell the bullshit.”

“Sharing any creative thought runs the risk of you looking like a complete arse. The more adventurous and original the thought, the higher the risk.”

“The standard retirement age is 65. Creative departments are filled with twenty and thirty-somethings. Make plans.”