Vale John Anstey: One of the most charming characters in the Australian ad industry
The Australian ad industry will be saddened to hear of the passing of much loved creative director, agency founder and University lecturer John Anstey, who died this week aged 80.
Originally from Adelaide Anstey had a stellar advertising career in Sydney, holding creative director roles at Leo Burnett, J Walter Thompson, Monahan Dayman Adams and Dancer Fitzgerald Sample, before founding his own Sydney-based agency SASS in the late 8os.
After a successful ad career, instead of a well-earned retirement, Anstey continued contributing to the industry, taking up the role of Sessional Convener and Lecturer at the University of Canberra, teaching Copywriting and Creative Execution.
In that role he developed the Marketing and Communication strategy and advertising campaign that helped increase University of Canberra enrolments by 40% in 3 years, and achieved the Vice Chancellor’s 2018 target student enrolment numbers seven years ahead of schedule.
He also helped the University win two Australian Marketing Institute awards in two categories: Brand Revitalisation and Education.
Says old friend Ian MacTavish on Facebook: “Equal parts dangerous and lovable. A fine man to spend time with.”
And from Mark Young: “My first creative director at JWT in 1977. John Anstey and John Fawcett. What a fun time that was. A great bloke and a great gentleman. Sad day. RIP John.”
Pictured above: John Anstey with with one of his graduate students a couple of years ago
10 Comments
A writing partner business partner and all round rogue. Great times great memories. RIP mate wherever you’re going will be a better place for your presence. Condolences to Di and family
A great all round bloke, many a fun times had with John over a quiet beer or two or three or four. A great writer the only bloke I know who went to lunch and came back with more serviette’s full of ideas born from the amber fluid. RIP mate you will be missed. Love to Di & the family.
I will always remember John.
Ross Quinlivan at Patts gave me my first copywriter job in Australia, but it was brave ole Anstey who gave me my first actual Aussie ad agency interview.
It was Mid-Seventies. I had a small book of ads from India and HKG, but John liked my stuff after a couple of meetings, but there was a visa issue, so he took me along to his chairman for ‘final approval’. I was happy. I was ‘in’!
The big fella looks at my folio and said: “India? We don’t have much cause for Indian copy do we, Johno?”
John replied, patiently: “Raj actually writes in English, Frank.”
The boss flicks through my cv some more and says: “I notice you spent some time in Paris, eh? Nah, no good, that mob. Never could stand the Frogs, mate. They fight with their legs and F%$# with their faces!”
And with that, it was over. I was out.
I was more embarrassed for John, though. But he put his hand out and said confidently: “You’ll be right in Oz, Raj. Keep the faith, mate. I’ll make some calls, if you like.”
He did. And I was.
Vale, John Anstey. AND folks like Ross the Q.
They were ‘a special breed’, they were.
That mob.
An industry Legend for sure. Friday night at the Grape Escape with Anstey and Hartey was an institution. Certainly helped cement my love for this industry. Wherever you are, may the creative briefs be well written and the production budgets appropriate. My sympathies to all his family .
What a brilliant man, incredible lecturer and an inspiration. You will be missed John.
I was married to John for 11 years. We were both very young. I am thankful that he took me first out of Adelaide and then out of Australia into Singapore of the 60s. I grew. Bye John.
Lovely and very talented bloke.
Wrote QANTAS ads in the days they were brilliant.
I love him like a father, and he just left us and he is gone. It was one of my saddest days, me my son were never mentioned but I knew John before I had two children ,with Daniel it was faith and I miss him dearly .He was wonderful man to his grandchildren and an remarkable story teller ,of past events. I look to him for advice and comfort, and always had the time. For me Hugo Chloe essentially and his son Daniel. I miss him every day .I miss his so Katherine Bensley.
Great Captain and great mate. So many wonderful sailing memories on Kupa Gila
i loved my grandpa so much i miss him so much and i cried every night i hope we meet agein soon