This is easily one of the biggest podcast interviews I have done on http://Kiruba.TV . By the time I finished this interview, it felt I had attended a crash-course MBA in visionary entrepreneurship.

Sir Martin Sorrell founded WPP, the World’s largest advertising and marketing services group in 1985 and has been Chief Executive throughout.

WPP companies, which include some of the most eminent agencies in the business, provide clients with advertising, media investment management, information, insight and consultancy, public relations and public affairs, branding and identity, healthcare communications, direct, interactive and internet marketing, and specialist communications services.

Collectively, WPP employs over 138,000 people in 2400 offices in 107 countries. The Group’s worldwide companies include JWT, Ogilvy Group, Y&R, Grey, Mindshare, Mediaedgecia, MediaCom, Kantar, Millward Brown, TNS, Wunderman, Burson-Marsteller, Hill & Knowlton, Landor, The Brand Union and WPP Digital. Clients include 354 of the Fortune Global 500, 60 of the NASDAQ 100 and 33 of the Fortune e50. In 2009, WPP had revenues of $13.6 Billion and billings of $59.4 Billion.

Sir Martin actively supports the advancement of international business schools – advising Harvard, IESE, the London Business School and the Indian School of Business. He has been an Ambassador for British Business, and has been publicly recognized with a number of awards including the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award. He received a knighthood in January 2000.

In this first part, Sir Martin talks about is initial journey as professional and how he entered entrepreneurship late in life and how he successfully scaled up his business through smart acquisitions.

We were initially planning to do a Skype conversation but at the last minute chose to speak on the phone which is why you will see him with his phone all the time.

This is a longish interview. The first part runs for about 20 minutes and is well worth the time. Incase you can’t wait for the next part, head over here to listen to the rest of the interview. I also recommend you read up about him in this Wikipedia page. Fascinating person who we should all seek inspiration from.