Voxpop

Actress Mae West, who died almost 30 years ago, has been revived in a branding exercise. Which star would you bring back to life and how would you use their brand?

It would have to be the comic genius Terry Thomas. He personified everything that is great about British culture – an ability to be quirky and eccentric, and being able to laugh at one’s own absurdity. We could do with a Thomas right now, to help us laugh through the current financial adversity. Perhaps we could have the ‘Absolute Bounder’ award for ‘brands behaving badly’, the ‘Cad’ award for really bad architecture, and the ‘Ding Dong’ award for ‘smashing’ design work. Come back, Terry. ‘Good show’, as he would say through that trademark gap in his front teeth.

Sid Madge, Partner, Calver Roots & Madge

Who needs a dead celebrity? Looking at the success of Steve McQueen and Albert Einstein, charities would benefit most. Why not bring back Tommy Cooper? A witty one-liner and a play on his reputed meanness could unlock more than a few pounds for good causes.

Simon Hutton, Managing director, To The Point