John Farquhar was an industry icon and the founder AdVantage magazine. His contribution to the industry has been enormous, his influence will be felt for years, and his stories will become legend. Here are some of the wonderful memories he gave the industry
Gordon Patterson SMVGroup:
I’ve known John Farquhar almost as long as I’ve been in this profession. He’s been a lighthouse, the rock of Gibraltar and a staunch supporter of common sense. With John, there was no place for bullshit and if anyone tried he told them straight. He loved the cut and thrust of our industry and while he always seemed to have an equal number of supporters as critics. I don’t think enough people understood his contribution to the advertising profession. Maybe his charm and dry wit confused people. Often I’d see John lurking around the major retail stores tracking price changes and making notes on in-store marketing activity. Completely engrossed he’d walk by without so much of a sign of recognition. To this day I do not know what he was doing but whatever it was it was important to John. In case you think John was all work and no play, the reality was far from this perception. John loved ice with a good whisky, intelligent conversation and a comfortable chair and a good view of great legs ! On one occasion I recall John visiting my home and was completely taken with my menagerie of exotic animals. He had the curiosity of a teenager, full of wonder, but blessed with the wisdom that only life offers.
Noel Coburn, Caxton joint MD
John Farquhar always spoke his mind; was tenacious, infuriating, dogmatic, loyal, a constant seeker after truth, a great companion, a repository of marketing knowledge, a scourge – the list goes on and on. It was a privilege to have known him, to have worked with him and to have fought (sometimes bitterly) with him. He enriched my life, and that of many others. He will live long in my memory.
Mike Abel, Chief Executive Partner
John Farquhar was his own man. He wasn’t there to make fleeting friends, pussy-foot or pander to the fragile egos in our industry. He saw his job as being simply to provide a fair and honest opinion of creative work and thinking based on expert knowledge.
If he liked it you knew it. If he didn’t, you were unlikely to forget it. He was tough and straight – and I greatly enjoyed his clear inappetite for waffle, tinsel and flim-flam.
With an industry mad for awards, John remained an honest broker. Was the work for a real client, did it run, did it actually work and then, was it any good in terms of pure creativity.
Over the past 15 years as scam work took an even greater share of award show trophies, John’s inconvenient adherence to the truth and honesty about creative work often made him the enemy of the industry.
I greatly enjoyed my many engagements with John over the years. A sharp, incisive mind, a great radar for bull and spin, and a real understanding of the big idea. Sure he was often relentless and emphatic in his opinions but this is what I’ll miss most – a strong and brave voice for great advertising and great work in the best possible sense.
The industry is far poorer for your passing John. Thank you for your support and frequent, mostly unsolicited, guidance.
We will miss you.
Chris Botha, Group MD, The MediaShop
One of my earliest memories in the advertising industry was meeting John Farquhar. The “Farqs persona” was revered and feared by all, so I was expecting a loud, abrasive, opinionated, rock of a man. What I found though was an incredibly intelligent gentleman who could add perspective to any conversation. He always had time to share an opinion with those willing to listen. In a world more and more devoid of personalities, Farqs was a legend without peer. No media function will ever be the same without him. His presence in the front row will be sorely missed. Our prayers and condolences are with his family.
Ken Varejes, Group CEO, Unlimited
John was a true legend to all of us. He never missed an industry function and ensured that he was first to attend. He could always be relied on to place a few words or columns in whatever publication to help an underdog where necessary. In the latter years, together with Chris Brewer, I would join John and we would consume a few beers or wine and whiskeys and just celebrate the good times. John would on all those occasions never have a bad word to say about anyone and that sums up the man. A true gentleman with great integrity and honour and I was proud to have called him a friend. Rest in peace Johnny and we will continue to raise our glasses to a great man.
Omar Essack CEO Kagiso Broadcasting
John was a warm, authentic human being. When I first arrived in Johannesburg, he was the first person I looked up to get the lay of the media landscape here. The ‘Big Smoke’ as he called the city, can be intimidating for newbies from Durban. Thank you for your willingness to engage and for the way in which you retained your ‘child-like’ enthusiasm for new ideas and innovation. You will be missed.
Gareth Leck, CEO Joe Public
John was an inspiration because he was honest. He spoke his mind and he spoke from the heart. He was passionate about creativity and the business of advertising and everyone loved him for that, even if they pretended not to. He leaves a hole in the South African advertising industry and we are both richer for having him part of us and poorer for losing him. Rest in peace John.
Harry Herber, The MediaShop
Perhaps the overwhelming legacy John left behind was his pioneering work. He ran a really successful agency down in the Cape in the late 60s, before his partner took a powder with the cash! But it would take a load more than that to sink a man like John. He honestly created credible advertising reporting and investigative journalism way back in the 70s and 80s. Fearless, loud and outspoken. Agencies curried favour with him, and either loved or hated him! He was not always treated fabulously by the industry and many a pressure group was formed over the years to muzzle him. His reaction as verbalised to me? “F*ck ‘em boykie!” But his mates always loved him.
Odette van der Haar, Chief Executive Officer, Association for Communication for communication and advertising
John Farquhar was a remarkable adman whose contribution to the advertising and communications profession of South Africa will forever be remembered, valued and respected. Loved or hated for his views, he was a legend and loved by all. The ACA extends our sincere condolences to his bereaved family and friends. We certainly will miss John. May his soul rest in peace.
Gordon Muller, GSM Quadrant
You either agreed with Farks or you did not agree with with him. But you did not ignore him. For over 60 years his comments & insights held a critical mirror up to advertising industry. We didn’t always like what we saw reflected in that mirror and that’s why he earned the nickname “The Famous Grouse”. But Farks had no agenda other than his passion for advertising! He called it as he saw it! The pat on the back for a job well done could just as swiftly be followed up by a clip around the ear if he felt your performance was below par. As Media Director of Saatchi & Saatchi I commissioned a cartoon of Farks for his induction into our Media Hall of Fame! Farks graciously accepted the award and then quietly whispered in my ear that I should not expect him to cut me any slack going forward. You had to earn the respect of The Famous Grouse. It was quite simply not for sale at any price!
Chris Brewer, CEO Brewers Data Services
When I was a young man John was my hero. When I became an old man he was still my hero. It was one of the most significant moments in my life that we also became good friends somewhere in the middle of those 45 years or so – a friendship that became ever closer. It was an enormous honour when he asked me to make the speeches at his 75th and 80th birthdays – with just one instruction; “keep it funny Brewer, I want laughter so don’t bugger about”.
We used to have lunch with a bunch of other old farts regularly and discuss industry crises but mainly we used to talk about bra cup sizes – he was particularly fond of DD if I remember correctly, as was I – but we liked them all really.
We also used to go to a lot of functions together – and if I hadn’t been invited he’d just say “fuck it, come with me” and we’d hopefully find a bottle of Jameson’s somewhere and chat to all the ladies in the room. There was just one drawback with going to an evening event with him – at 7.30 I’d turn around to say something and he’d be gone. He always arrived early and always left at 7.30.
With him, the ad business was never about money – it was about perfecting communication. And he was always, but always, available to help anyone. If you needed any advice on advertising (whether he knew you or not) all you had to do was ask – and then stand back and listen for half an hour.
The industry has lost its Paladin (means “heroic champion” to save you looking it up) and I’ve lost a very dear friend – as thousands of others have too.
As a tribute to the man I’m going to initiate the “Farquhar Scale” which will measure cleavage. I think he would like that.
Eve Pennington, Starcom MediaVest Group
It is incredibly sad to lose an individual such as John, not only because he was an iconic character in the media industry, but also because he was so passionate about what he did, and contributed so much to stirring debate on the important issues. He was a constant in my 16 years in this industry and I shall miss the shared Whisky, the often cantankerous grumbling, and the warmth he always showed to me personally. Godspeed, you leave knowing that you made your mark.
Jeremy Maggs, Presenter Maggs on MediaEditor – The Annual
As a wet behind the ears media reporter, when I started presenting a radio show on the subject about 18 years ago, John taught me to love the notion of advertising, but not be sucked in by the hype and the vast egos that accompanied it. My favourite shows were to pit him against a self important creative director, debating the merits of a new campaign. If it was good, in other words isolated the core value proposition, understood the target market and creatively addressed the sales or brand need, John was full of praise. If it didn’t he was scathing and even venomous in his criticism. It made for good radio. John was kind hearted and never saw other media and advertising reporters as opposition – he didn’t have to, he was the Lion King. To those in the ad industry who sometimes dismissed his views as bitter and ill informed, they were dead wrong. John loved the craft of advertising, he just hated rubbish, the word itself being rolled out of his mouth with relish with heavy emphasis on the “r”. Writers, reporters, critics and pundits (myself included) can still learn a lot from John - call it like it is, be honest and don’t be seduced by the glamour and the awards shows. Ad people after all are just jumped up washing powder salesmen. His words not mine.
John Bowles, Joint MD the Newspaper Advertising Bureau (NAB)
‘So, what do you REALLY think, John?’
The thing that I remember of John ‘the legend’ Farqs was his opinion. Opinion of everything – the creative, media planners, media owners, the leaders, the industry politics, the food, the wine, the government – the everything. Some of it was objective, some subjective, some informed, some misinformed but he was never one to shy away or take the 5th. For the advertising world, I think we have lost an amazing and well informed opinion. His often controversial and aggressive stance made us all think twice before we knew anything was going to head past Farqh’s desk! On Saturday the 28th of January 2012 the industry lost something very special. It will take some time for our industry to replace or match the kind of human capital we lost and often took for granted. I’ll miss our glasses of wine and good food, but most of all the afternoons of listening to the Farqhuhar opinion on ads, life, wine and Julius! RIP Johnny!!
Chirene Campbell, managing director, Owlhurst Communications
John loved stories – he loved telling them and he loved hearing them. I’ll never forget the long lunches at Chez Girard accompanied by various clients and copious amounts of wine and laughs. You could always tell that John was having a good time because when business was done he’d order a whisky or a cognac and regale stories of the good ole days. Farqs could tell you exactly who was who in the zoo, where they were now and which accounts they worked on in the 60’s. He was amazing. I wish he’d written a book. I’ll miss you John, I’ll miss hearing the stories and that gorgeous hearty laugh that always accompanied our get-togethers.
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