THE INTERVIEW: Bonnie Lee, Blueplanet

Do you know who I am?

I am Bonnie Lee, Managing Director of Blueplanet and subsequently marketing director for Roman’s Pizza, Burger Bar and Migato South Africa.

Why should we care?

I represent a few brands to which most South Africans can relate.

Why is your current position important in the greater scheme of things?

It is very seldom that an individual holds the title of both MD of an advertising agency as well as marketing director for a retail concern, this has enabled me to wholly understand the dynamics and disciplines that encompass the bigger picture concerning marketing, advertising and communication as both a supplier and client.

What are your key achievements?

It would have to be running my own boutique agency from the age of 34 and then obviously directing all and anything marketing and communicative for the fab brands I represent!

Tell us about the things that motivate you?

Challenges motivate me (cliché I know), but I am a firm believer in ‘there’s nothing out there I cannot do!’ I also get satisfaction from intelligent and effective people and I have big pet peeve for tardiness and lazy people.

Top 5 things I’ve learnt about work…

1. Always under-promise and over-deliver
2. Never leave anything until tomorrow, anything can happen in the meanwhile, life is so uncertain
3. A hands-on approach is always best in making sure that things get executed accordingly
4. Honesty and transparency is always the best option, no matter how big the pickle
5. It is best to always approach things with a realistic ‘human; point of view’.

What would you have done differently?

Not much, I would not have been where I am today and the ride in getting here would’ve been far less exciting!

How will you change the world?

Well for starters the transparency and honesty I’ve adopted in my personal and professional capacity have both proven effective in the way I do and generate business as well as how this has changed the environment around me.

What do you do first thing in the morning, apart from the obvious?

Fluff my pillow before I continue snoozing, I am not really into too early mornings (except for when on holiday), after which I feed and spend some time with my animals (two dogs and a cat).

How do you play?

Travel, travel, travel followed by shopping, shopping, shopping.

At the top of my bucket list is…

To own a yacht.

What will you want written on your tombstone?

Curvaceous with a heart of gold!