Weekend Spy: Job Spec - Ashley Stockwell

Each week we'll be asking people from all parts of the media industry - from channel controllers to catering staff, directors to digital technicians - to tell us about themselves and their job.

Following the launch of Virgin Media last week, we talked to Ashley Stockwell, the man behind the brand.

Name
Ashley Stockwell

Job Title
Managing director of brand, Virgin Media

Age
Under 40

Lives
East Sussex

In the role since
Well I suppose from Feb 8 2007, when we officially launched, but have worked here since the beginning of 2006.

Responsibilities
Creation, development and management of the Virgin Media brand, from look and feel to customer experience. Ensuring we live up to the Virgin brand values of value for money, good quality, brilliant customer service, innovation and fun, from the inside out.

Best thing about your job
Working for a winning team who are committed to deliver the best in entertainment and communication.

Worst thing about your job
Not being able to sort out everything instantly.

First thing you do in the morning when you get in?
Say "Mornin' to the team", have a cappuccino and chocolate croissant and finish responding to the email inbox.

What question have you been asked most this week?
"How many movies have you got available 24hrs a day on demand... is it really over 500?"

Any downsides to working in the media?
Not being able to spend enough time with the family.

First media/TV job
Started at Virgin in 1991 as design manager.

Biggest achievement to date
Being involved in the launch of this brilliant new company Virgin Media and turning the Sky blue.

Anything you wish you'd done differently?
I wish I had patented texting!

Is there anything about the Virgin Media launch that has gone better than, or not as well as expected?
It has all gone better than I could have hoped, we still have a lot to do, but we've got a brilliant team and the best product in the market.

Dream job/company/lifestyle
Sounds like a crap answer, but we're having a lot of fun at the moment.

Best media jolly you've ever attended
Our launch party was pretty good. We were quite badly behaved at the first ever Empire Movie Awards.

If you were stuck in lift with Rupert Murdoch what would you say?
"You and your little boy look really scared, what seems to be troubling you?"