John Lockyer
Executive Vice President, Business Management

What got you into this business in the first place? Paul Warner, who spent many years in the research arena. He taught me that research and understanding how consumers perceive your brand is a key to understanding where to take your brand and what you need to do to get there. Now in my current position, I have always loved numbers and the story they can tell. I spent 19 years before coming to IMAGES playing with numbers.
Who was a big influence in your career? My Dad. He taught me that my career was what I did with my life and how I handled those I came in contact with, and not to stay satisfied with the status quo. Try to learn something...anything...every day.
What was "your finest moment," the thing you're most proud of? Watching the birth of my first child.
What was your most embarrassing moment in business? Many years ago, I was giving a speech at a breakfast meeting to a group of primarily widowed seniors about the need to protect themselves from predators who might try to take advantage of them about investing their hard earned savings, and after the presentation, a lovely retiree came up to me and tactfully suggested I might want to change my socks. I hadn't noticed that I had on two different colors on - light brown and black. Moral of the story: Never get dressed in the dark and always check your socks before you leave the house.
What attracted you to IMAGES? Bob's vision and the opportunity of expanding the unique multicultural proposition. I genuinely liked my future boss and his faith in people. Now more than ever, I really enjoy and love the people I work with...the salt of the earth, so to speak.
Do you have a method for coming up with ideas and solutions for clients? I am not the creative element here and recognize my creative limitations. My job is defense. To be good stewards of our partners/clients money and to provide internally the right environment for those that have the creative talent.
What makes a great brand? The people and the company that consistently stand behind the brand itself, always striving to improve it by listening to their constituents and refining it continuously. We ourselves are a brand.
What driving career goals do you still have? To help the IMAGES team in whatever way I can, reach the pinnacle that I believe the Team and the Agency itself are capable of.
What talent do you wish you had? I could sing instead of sounding like a frog when I try to hold a note.
If you had to live on a desert island, what would you miss most? People, good food and a good book.
Is there any food that helps you think more creatively? Chocolate.
What's your favorite sports team? Dallas Cowboys
What frustrates you the most? A lack of commitment and complacency. Complacency means you are stagnant and not moving forward. In the face of adversity, you can overcome a lot with perseverance and commitment. Ultimately, you'll succeed.
Tell us about your pets? None now. I did grow up with dogs...had a German Sheppard.
What was growing up like for you? Fun, adventure, new experiences, uncertainty, and great friendships that I still maintain to this day. At a young age I moved from a Caribbean culture to a North American culture. Overnight I went from introvert to extrovert. I learned what it was to like to cross cultural barriers in an instant and that there a plethora of different people in the human landscape, all essentially striving after the same thing.
What's your favorite TV program? And your least favorite? Boston Legal. In the face of serious dialogue on social matters, it still conveys a humorous view of life and the dysfunctional way of society at times. Nothing is sacred on that show. Jerry Springer..the worst of the human condition. What do you do for a good time...when you're not working? Always working. But when I have an opportunity, I like to attempt to hit a golf ball. I used to play ice hockey when up North and I was pretty good at it.
What was college like for you? Rewarding. A good learning experience and finding out a lot about my views of the world and people.  
What are your favorite internet sites? msn.com; The Wall Street Journal; espn.com