‘Nothing is for granted’ – Andrew Dimitriou
Leaving a dictatorship in Greece for Australia with nothing but the clothes on their backs, Andrew Dimitrou’s parents imbued in him the values of hard work and discipline that would shape his impressive and impactful career. Dismissing the modern notion of ‘work smart not hard’, Andrew worked his way to the top from the very bottom – an intern in the very company he would lead one day. Consistency, inquisitiveness, and passion are the markers of his success, as well as working at global marketing and communication services company WPP (with a 12.5-billion-dollar turnover and an excess of 100,000 employees across the world) for over 20 years.
Going from account coordinator to account executive, to account director in two and a half years in his first role in New Business Development at Y&R New York, Andrew has perspective on all areas of the business. With a keen eye for innovative development and transformation, he keeps ahead of the game on digital programs and connected brands. Presenting a crystal-clear vision to his employees, he makes time to focus on culture, encouraging people to bring their whole selves to work.
As well as the huge disruption of the Covid pandemic, Andrew was forced to hit the brakes on his 16-hour workdays due to a decline in health. Jumping off the very rat race that once inspired him, he uses a context of accountability to guide both his professional and personal life. He realises now he is no longer a player on the pitch, but a manager, taking both the increased responsibility and comfort which comes with a senior role. To hear about Andrew speak on the nuances of drive that can bring highs and lows and the importance of having the right intentions, listen to this episode of How I Became.

In addition to currently being EMEA CEO for VMLY&R, Andrew:
- Was shortlisted for EMEA CEO of the Year by Campaign magazine
- Led Y&R Europe for 3 years, during which time the agency was Cannes Lions’ Regional Creative Network of the Year (2017) and Effies’ Effectiveness Network of the year (2016)
- Managed WPP’s Red Fuse unit across Europe

Topics discussed:
- The parental mindset of hard work and multiple jobs
- Struggles with cultural assimilation in the US
- How to reckon with competition and win the game
- Why fresh faces are the best faces
- Where business meets art
- How to cultivate a client relationship
- The role of a president and CEO
- How to make a great pitch
- The importance of building more connected brands
- How to manage technological disruption and thrive
- The acceleration of online influence purchasing and augmented reality
- Why pure intentions win over ladder climbing
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Episode Sponsor:
Gray Matters - A straight-talking business development consultancy that empowers agencies to position, market and sell themselves for new business success
Unity & Motion - A London based production company specialising in commercials and branded content
Email: info@weunify.co.uk
This is a UNIFY Podcast. Produced by Unity & Motion
Credits: Director: Charles Parkinson
Poet & VO Artist: Ashley Samuels-McKenzie
Sound Recordist: Paolo Neri