Monster Energy’s Adam Mehegan on VHS, spiders and Milli Vanilli

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Adam Mehegan RVP GB Monster Energy

Name: Adam Mehegan

Job title: Regional vice president GB

Company: Monster Energy

What was your first job? My first job was when I was at sixth form college. I worked part time at Dolcis Shoes in the Lewisham shopping centre, south east London. The brand is no longer around, but I had a great time and built a real respect for retail work.

What’s been your worst job interview? It was one of my first interviews for a full-time role. I can’t recall the company, but the M25 was closed, and I ended up 20 minutes late. When I explained what had happened, one member of the panel scribbled in his notebook and said, “well, that’s a no for good timekeeping then”. It didn’t get much better from there. Not an enjoyable experience, but it was a great early lesson in how not to behave when you’re looking for talent.

“When you work in a fast-growing sector like energy drinks it can often feel like the full potential for category growth isn’t being realised”

What was the first music single you bought? Girl You Know It’s True by Milli Vanilli. I must have been about 10. We all know how it went for them, but they were huge at the time.

How do you describe your job to your friends? I have the privilege of working with an exceptional bunch of people that do extraordinary things to sell cans of Monster. If that draws a blank look I just go straight for selling cans of Monster.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? I am in my eleventh year at Monster and the amazing things we have achieved in that time has been a constant source of enjoyment and pride. On a day-to-day basis I get huge amounts of energy from working with the various members of the GB team as well as our partners at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP).

What is the least rewarding part? I have been known to get a little grumpy when presented with large amounts of admin or routines that may not be directly linked to selling cans!

Monster rio punch energy drink

What is your motto in life? Work out where you want to go, how you are going to get there and then do it.

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? An unlimited travel budget for my family and I.

Do you have any phobias? The British giant house spider, of which there seem to be plenty of in my house!

If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? There can be a tendency to rely on the rear-view mirror when making important decisions, which can limit the horizon for growth. This can be particularly disheartening when you work in a fast-growing sector like energy drinks, where it can often feel like the full potential for category growth isn’t being realised.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? A fishing rod and tackle.

What animal most reflects your personality? I did a quick online test and apparently, I am a black bear. Confident, organised and direct. Sounds about right to me.

What’s your favourite film and why? Indiana Jones, Raiders of the Lost Ark. When my parents bought our first VHS recorder this was one of the two or three films we had for a long time. I must have watched it hundreds of times when I was a child and I am pretty sure I can recite the script word for word.

What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? I was working late one evening and when I left the office, which I thought was empty, I was belting out the song Lady in Red. As I got to the bottom of the stairs I bumped into four or five of the cleaning staff who were getting things out of a cupboard. They tried to be kind but just started cracking up laughing. It was a long time ago, and doesn’t seem like such a big deal now, but at the time I was absolutely dying.

Which celebrity would you most like to work with and why? I have always admired Keanu Reeves. I have come across have many reports of how down-to-earth he is. Treating all those around him with respect and kindness regardless of their status. That resonates with me and feels aligned to my values.

What would your death row meal be? A dozen Whitstable Bay natives followed by a decent sirloin steak with fries. I’d have a bottle of chilled viognier with the oysters and for steak it would have to be a Margaux 1977, a fine vintage for all things, or so I hear.