Alan Phillips is chairman and a founder partner of Phillips Russell plc, a company formed in 1976. During the past 10 years, he has seen Phillips Russell expand from its media planning and desk research base, to a company employing 30 people and with Associates around the world. In 1985, Phillips Russell bought one of its competitors, the Central Media Unit, and also took over Research Options. He has worked in media at several agencies, commencing with Lintas in 1966 and subsequently with Sharps and Osbornes (now Lonsdales). During this time he has contributed several pieces to ADMAP ranging from the serious to the satirical. His interest in coupon response spans his whole career (see ADMAP April 1972) and has culminated in the development of a sophisticated computer analysis and monitoring system.