Mark George Abdilla, CMO, CrazeAffiliates

If you could sit down for a three-course dinner with anyone in the industry, who you haven’t yet met, who would it be and why?
Without diminishing the outrageous talent in the industry, I can’t pinpoint anyone in particular. Although we are business partners and meet daily, I would choose to dine with my Co-Founder Adrian since there is always something new and exciting to discuss.

You've said you’re like a 10-year-old in a 40-year-old’s body. What makes you so child-like?!
I’m blessed to be surrounded by extraordinary colleagues, friends and of course, my beautiful wife and son, who makes me feel comfortable living and acting the way god made me to. I tackle issues like children do, with simplicity and honesty, but add a dose of responsibility that comes with experience and age. This approach lets me live a happy personal and professional life not without challenges but damningly fun.

What is the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you, both at work and in your entire life?
I could write two volumes to answer your question but let me choose two examples. Some years ago, I used to live and work in London. One day I was commuting, heading towards a job interview with one of the biggest hotel chains in the world based in Watford. On the train, I sat next to this chap and spent 30 minutes talking to the point that we somehow made friends. As soon as we arrived in Watford, we went our separate ways. I grabbed a quick bite and headed toward the interview. Little did I know that the same guy sitting next to me was the person I had to interview.

Another strange experience happened on vacation in India. We got scammed 3k on our very first day in Delhi. We paid this agency to arrange a 15-day tour of Rajasthan. The day after this tour started, as soon as we arrived at our first hotel, we got shocked and instantly realized that we would never get what we had agreed to. So we decided to take a bite and continue on our own, not to ruin the holiday. After unlimited calls, they told us we would not get any refund. To cut a long story short, we got a random BnB in Jaipur and were greeted by a remarkable young local in his flat. After a beer, we told him what had happened to us.

What happened next is insane. The guy happened to be the son of an Indian minister, and the day after, he got us all our money back. All this is happening in a country with 1.45 billion population.

If there was one moment you could go back and relive, what would it be and why?
My son’s birth was the happiest experience I have ever had. The joy was so immense I would relieve it every day.

What is your favourite cuisine? Why is it so tasty?
It has to be Indian. The spice and the complexity of tastes are so elaborate and fulfilling that, for me, nothing comes close.

What do you love most about your job?
I love everything, from planning and executing to daily problem solving but interacting with our staff tops it all even because they give us so much dedication and work ethic.