PAUL JONES DIES
The Australian ad industry will surely be in shock on hearing news of the passing of legendary creative adman Paul Jones, who died last night.
Jones, who was in his late 60s, was best known as the creator of the Labor Party “It’s Time” campaign in 1972 while he was CD of McCann-Erickson, Sydney, as well as a string of memorable Coke campaigns throughout the 70s, and the McDonald’s “Mac Time” work at DDB Sydney in the 80s. In 1979, while CD at Clemenger Sydney, he was a driving force and founding chairman of AWARD.
Together with Peter Cherry and a few others, his vision for AWARD was inspiring, no doubt encouraging many young people over the years to make a career in this wonderful business. His intro in the inaugural 1979 AWARD annual is perhaps worth repeating now:
AWARD is a non-poltical non-profit organisation with but a single idea: the raising of standards.
To raise standards one has to be bloody-minded.
We are and always will be.
AWARD’s not about congratulations.
It’s about the stimulation of higher standards.
And that’s all it’s about.
22 Comments
What terribly sad news.Jonesy was a legend in his own very unique way.When someone’s larger than life their passing is only magnified.While I hadn’t seen him for many moons, Iike many others who’ve known and worked with Paul over a lot of years I still remember those days and Paul vividly – and in their own unique way, dearly too. Rest in peace Jonesy.Chris Dewey
Paul Jones gave me an opportunity in Sydney at DDB when the department of the day included Shaun Branagan, Pedro Marin Guzman, Adrianne Casey, Tony Wong Hee, Matt Eastwood, Shane Gibson, Mike Miller, Ben Bradley, Mark Sharman, Kayleen Flanagan and Scott Walker.His impact was both immediate and long-lasting. Many times over the past 12 years since, I’ve found myself quoting Paul or relating cherished ‘Jonesy’ anecdotes. Thanks for the chance Paul. Your passing is so sad,but you’ll be remembered in the fondest way.Mark Ringer
Very sad.He lived and breathed advertising.Unfortunately the type of ads he created had a big idea. Which is no longer fashionable. Jonesy and Cherry made AWARD and a lot of careers including my own. Goodbye Mate
Paul gave me my first job as a writer. I was a suit leaving ads on his desk. He was like a Dad to all the people Mark mentioned (hi mate long time no see). There was a lot of love there. Even when we smashed a bunch of his glass awards during a water pistol fight.He was a big thinker – “fuck it let’s get Gorbachev/Pavarotti/James Dean!”Kinda scary at times, kinda fragile too.But a character. And don’t we need them.After Julian and Fiona, it’s been a very sad time in our little neck of the woods.Thanks Jonesy.Mark Sharman
Great Man, great times, great memories.Rob Imhoff
To Lynchy via email:Very sad – I’m shocked as I saw him before Christmas. He was a brilliant writer who I looked up to when I started in the industry.
Via email:Greg Desmond and I bumped into him on Tuesday arvo in Manly. I hadn’t seen him for many years. We talked, and he offered to lecture at AWARD.He phoned to remind me yesterday, and I texted AWARD’s phone number back to him.So very, very sad.
On a professional noteWhen Paul spoke everyone listened.Clients loved having Jonesy work on their business because they knew he was ‘a once in a lifetime’ adland legend. He simply made them and his colleagues feel that anything was possible. On a personal note,Jonesy really cared for people and had a heart as big as his ideas.God Bless JonesyMike Retter
Via email…As AWARD has been a familiar part of our industry for almost 30 years, most younger creatives are unaware of how it began. Paul led a small but committed band of like minds to form AWARD. He was its up front champion which was very typical of Paul’s vision and style.Without Paul’s drive, AWARD probably may not have happened for many years later.All of our industry, not just agency creatives, owe a great debt to Paul.Big Ideas and standards were Paul’s unshakable goals. He understood how to use emotion in his work while most of the industry were toiling away in the dull world of rationality.He was generous, theatrical, kind and at times intimidating when he was in his Orson Welles persona.I recall a term he liked to use often: Testicular fortitude.He gave much.
Terrible news.Jonesy was a larger than life character.Holding court with his stories in most meetings.The Orson Welles of advertising.He made a marked change to my career and many others over the years, for which I owe him a great deal.Thanks Jonesy.Mike Miller.
Paul was Chairman of McCann’s Sydney, when I arrived here from London in ’86. He was also one of the reasons I stayed. Magnetic, outrageous and outlandish, clients loved working with him and the rest of us working for him, because he only ever had really big ideas.Watch out, God.Mark Lees.
‘It’s time’ and ‘It’s Mac Time’. Doesn’t that count as the same campaign?
It had been cloudy all morning so we was chasing time. The clouds parted and the sun came out. Action was called and instead of the horsemen riding to camera as directed, they rode cam left. Steve panned with them regardless untill the wranglers sitting on a dune came into shot. Paul turned to me with his best Orson tone and said….” are those people ours? Fire them!!!!- Salik.
I did mention that to him once during a difficult time on a shoot… and I never worked for him again!
One of the sweetest men in creative. Not only understood creativity, but also the clients business (and media – what a blessing!). A true gentleman.If anyone is aware of any funeral arrangements, can they please post them .HL
I will alwas remember the larger than life charismatic guy who had just arrived from Brisbane to take the lead of a gang of ‘McCann miscreants’ who hung out in Gas Lane. I’ll fondly hold the memories of us all having a game of ‘arrows’ with the legendary, ‘Robbo’ Michael Robinson,Gus Cohen and ring-ins such ‘Trillsy’ Ken Murane, ‘Shuffles’ and dear Tim Storrier (always trying to sell a painting for beer money at the Dunbarton Castle). Paul thanks for the memories and my first break. I’ll drink to that.Billy Venn
A big thinker that will be missed in a big way.But he has made sure he will not be forgotten with the legendary work he has left behind.He was a great inspiration and mentor for me in my early career.R.I.P Jonesy.Scott Walker
Paul, You opened my eyes to the world of communication. An inspiration, you have left an indelible mark on the world and have left us so early and far too soon. A proud and loving father I can see you in your grand daugthers’ face and your daughters determination. I know you loved and will love Big Jana, little Jana, Sean and Dean, Luca, Emilia, Dorothy, Ade, Charlie, Peter and I for eternity. .. As we will love you. We are all incredibly sad that you have gone and know how sad you were to leave us. But you were wrong mate. What you meant to the world was everything and you are already sadly missed.Roy Mills
“Don’t stand by his grave and cry. Don’t stand by his grave and cry. He is not there. He did not die.” Jonesey will live forever. He is a legend.Love from Dorothy & Ade xx
I had the good fortune of working for Jonesy twice and he was always a great mentor. My fave Jonesyism occured in a client meeting when after presenting another of his Cecille B DeMille spectaculars one of the middle management marketers offered their opinion on how to shoot it. To which he responded, “I’ve only made 5,000 commercials, but I could be wrong”.You’ll be missed big guy.Adrian
Charismatic, kind and a true gentleman. You will be sorely missed Paul. God BlessPilly Gipps
Thinking of you always Paul. Still missed. Always loved and never forgotten.