Vale Geoff Fischer ~ A Life Well-Lived in Copywriting
The advertising industry mourns the loss of Geoff Fischer, the long-standing creative at Clemenger Group, UrsaClemenger, and CHEP Network, where he showcased his talent as a writer. Geoff passed away last Thursday after bravely battling a 20-month illness, leaving behind his much-loved wife, Sylvianne, and children, Ash and Ruby.
Geoff was a genuinely lovely man who truly cherished his role in the industry. In a poignant farewell speech from a year ago, he shared the highs and lows of his career with his customary sense of humour.
Starting at Leo Burnett in 1988 under the mentorship of CD John Bailey, whom he regarded as the best creative he ever worked with, Geoff learned the value of fighting for ideas he believed in. Reflecting with a wry smile, he acknowledged that it may have made him a bit too belligerent in his early years.
During Geoff’s time at JWT he teamed up with Art Director Helen Shortis, starting a prolific working relationship that lasted 25 years, through Ogilvy, UrsaClemenger and CHEP.
Geoff’s favorite ad that he had created was the TV spot for Bushells featuring Kathy Freeman and Arthur Tunstall. This campaign, centred around bringing together individuals with very public conflicts for a cup of tea, not only earned accolades in award annuals but also won a racial tolerance award from the South Australian government—a source of great pride for Geoff. He coined the enduring ‘Life’s Good’ tagline for LG Electronics and authored the ‘Curing Homesickness’ line for the APAC Effie’s Grand Prix-winning campaign for the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Geoff was particularly proud of the work he did for Wayside Chapel, creating the long-standing Love Over Hate positioning.
When asked about the best advice he ever received, Geoff shared this gem: “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission,” a mantra he believed creative people should embrace.
Geoff was beloved at every agency he graced with his presence, in part due to his unwavering advocacy for the next generation of talent. In his farewell speech, he expressed deep appreciation for the exceptional qualities of the young professionals he had the privilege of working with. In his words: “Over the past 10 years I’ve found myself defending the merits of young people. My generation bitches about younger people. Every older generation does. But, I always say the kids I work with, and they all are kids compared to me, are an exceptional bunch of people. They are better educated, more articulate, more politically aware and if I have to be honest they are just nicer to each other than we are. I’ve considered it a real privilege late in my career to work with a bunch of young people who have been so good to me.”
Geoff’s kindness and gentle spirit endeared him to many, and his absence will be keenly felt by many across the industry. He leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered and missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
38 Comments
One of my all time career faves. His yarns were as interesting and effortless as his copy. Thanks for the hangs x
I had the privilege of working with Geoff for the last three and a half years of his career at CHEP. He was talented, humble and great fun to be around. He has created work that has lasted decades, which is the type of work we should all be striving for, and he was still showing up much younger creatives right till the end of his time in the industry. We’ll miss you Geoff
Lovely man, fantastic creative. And what an enduring legacy. To Sylvianne, Ash and Ruby, heartfelt condolences. And also to Helen, what an incredible partnership you shared. Vale Geoff.
Just the loveliest man. I miss him and CHEP is poorer for his absence. Condolences to Syl, Ash and Ruby.
Geoff and Helen were my first tutors at AWARD school. 20-ish years later his influence, wisdom and spirit are still with me. My heart goes out to Sylvianne, Ash and Ruby. Thanks mate.
Geoff was always looking out for everyone else. So, you can imagine how much Ruby and Ash benefitted from that. He lasted a lot longer in advertising than I did. Such a nice bloke, in a sometimes nasty industry [well, in was in the 80s, 90s], he was kind, decent and frigging funny as. It sounds innate – but he was so nice. So generous in seeing other people’s talents over his own. I guess that’s why he stuck around – starting as the country’s oldest jnr copywriter to being the oldest copywriter. People had Geoff to tell them how great they are. Love and miss that man.
❤️
Sylvianne, I have no words to offer that will make a skerrick of difference to your great loss, but I hope there’s some small comfort in seeing how loved Geoff was, and knowing that his generosity of time, knowledge and spirit is being carried forward. Such a lovely man; peace and love to Geoff, and to you, Ruby, Ash and your families 💜
My sympathies, Sylvianne, to you and your children. Nothing can compensate for the loss of a loved one.
A truly lovely guy. Far more talented than his modest self would say.
Kind. Nice. Funny. A wonderful husband, father and ‘Aunty’. Our hearts are broken losing Geoff, he really was one of the good ones and I’m so grateful he was my friend.
I was production company producer on that Bushells campaign. And from that moment on Geoff became one of my work favourites.
I am well retired now and out of the biz so I had no idea Geoff had been ill. Condolences to his family and to Helen. Loads of talent, funny as fuck. I was just looking a some old picks of that shoot the other day. Remembering that while we had a reunion between
Cathy and Arthur, the ones he really wanted were Gough and Malcolm. Vale Geoff Fischer
I was fortunate to work with Geoff when I arrived in Australia. A wonderful, kind and generous man with great talent. Perfect gentleman. So sad.
One of the most awesome humans on the planet…miss the naughty boy grin
This stings. Geoff was the hearth of an agency – warm and full of stories. The real privilege was ours.
Very sad, one of my all-time favorite creatives which I had the pleasure working alongside at LB, a true gentleman with bundles of creativity, not to mention a cracking sense of humour. I had no idea that he was battling an illness, my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Vale Geoff
I only had the pleasure of meeting Geoff once, but every one of our many mutual friends and colleagues have always sung his praises.
And they still do. x
I can’t begin to tell you how much Geoff will be missed. I was so lucky to have had the best copywriter partner for such a long time. In 25+ years we never had an argument. He was adored by fellow creatives, suppliers, suits and clients. Goodbye Geoffuary.
Oh nurse, such a lovely man!
A true gent.
Humble, kind, full of great advice and authentic to the bone. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and a special mention to Helen. What a wonderful partnership you both shared.
The kindest, most genuinely lovely person I’ve had the privilege to know and work alongside. From my first day at CHEP he was supportive, positive and full of that incredible wit and I’m so grateful to have such wonderful moments to remember him by. Sending all my love to Geoff’s family x
I had the honour of sitting opposite Geoff for a year. He was in early most days, and I will always remain grateful for his warm greeting every morning. Damn fine creative too. I hope there are some good waves up there for you mate.
As Sylvianne’s cousin Geoff was a big party of a loving extended family upbringing, I’ll remember some of his other talents, especially one gathering where is sang “Dont Dream it’s Over” with his acoustic guitar. A fond memory that will stay with me all my life. Great bloke.
I was lucky to spend 13 years working along side Geoff. He truly was a gentle man, who loved his family more that anything else. He was funny, talented, and caring – a rare trifecta. He had a wonderful, quizzical face that could make you smile, laugh and ground you perfectly in the ridiculous world of advertising. He made agencies, and the world, a much nicer place. I was lucky to have Geoff in my life, and I am missing him terribly.
“People had Geoff to tell them how great they are.” So true. Smart. Self-effacing. Sharp-witted. So many fond memories from our days at JWT. Good times. Great man. Vale Geoff. Condolences to Sylvianne, Ruby, Ash, and all his family and friends.
Vale Geoff. A true gentleman. A great talent. And fellow Bowiephile.
He was a lovely, lovely man.
Geoff was an absolute gem. Talented, always engaged and great fun to be around. Genuine and lovely. He was a friend to many and a wonderful husband and dad to Syl, Ruby and Ash. My heart and love go out to them.
I have so many lovely memories of working with Geoff. Including him singing and playing guitar on away shoots in Western NSW. He’s a great loss to the industry but mostly to those that knew him. Love to you and the kids Syl and to you Helen.
I am so sad to hear of Geoff’s passing. I, of course, now wish I had more to do with him after the years Ash and my son Michael, played junior soccer together (ages 5 & 6). After every game, Geoff would summarise the game with an email to all the parents, in a way that was extremely entertaining and it was obvious he had a way with words. Lovely guy. Always enjoyed your company Geoff. Gone but not forgotten. Cheers.
Hi adland people. Your comments are so hard to read through my tear streamed glasses. Thank you.
Service: 11:00am 24/11/23 Fri
Temple on the Park 158 Australia st Newtown
So many happy memories of evenings at your place with all the kids in their pjs and driving them home asleep so we could all hang out. Geoff was the loveliest of men, so brilliant with all the kids and such a sense of humour. Amazing husband material all round and so, so sorry for your loss Sylvianne, Ruby and Ash. He was kind in an industry that often isn’t and will be sorely missed by everyone he knew.
What a lovely human, he was an early mentor for me at Award School many moons ago with Helen Shortis, and made me think ‘if someone that talented can be that humble and giving of his time, I want to join that industry’. How rare to ever find another quite like him.
I worked with Geoff over the last 5 years at CHEP. He was easy to talk to and we could laugh and giggle about the simplest of things. I remember the last conversation we had and it hit me when he told me he was ill. He loved what he did and the people he worked with. It’s a huge shock and loss to a wonderful human. My condolences to he’s family and friends. Never forgotten!
Geoff was one of the first people to welcome me to JWT back in the early 90’s. Straight away I saw his warmth and genuineness, which is why we became good friends. This was the same way he approached the job of writing – never self-serving, tricksy, neat or award-hunting. He wrote from the heart, honest and compassionate, which is why his work, like the memory of the man himself, endures.
So sad to hear of Geoffs passing. I have many fond memories of working in the recording studio with him, always with some good scripts in hand. Good natured, Funny and warm. Truly a loss.
I had the great pleasure of working with Geoff and Helen at Ursa on various projects. Everything was done with a smile on his face.
Rest in peace mate.
I faced the back of Geoff and Helen’s heads for 8 months at UrsaClems, and every time Geoff span around in his chair he was smiling or had a funny story. He has always stuck with me as a person to be like.