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The passing of John Farquhar it is a great loss to the advertising and media industry. He was a legendary adman whose contribution to the advertising profession will forever be remembered, valued and respected. Our deepest condolences to his bereaved family and friends.

Odette van der Haar, CEO of the Association for Communication & Advertising


John's passing is a great loss to the media and advertising industry. He was a man that stood strong in his beliefs and wasn't afraid to tell it how he saw it. His passing will leave a great void in the industry as we have lost one of the great media legends of our time.

Sarel du Plessis, CEO of MA(SA)


Details of wake:
Date: Friday 3 February
Time: 12.30pm-3pm
Venue: Bryanston Country Club, Bryanston Drive, Bryanston, Johannesburg


Tributes
Bizcommunity: Chris Moerdyk pays tribute
DEKAT: Hamba kahle, John!
TheMediaOnline: A tribute to a legend

Who was John Farquhar?
Marketingsite: His last email to Cathy van Zyl summarising his life in advertising

John's views on marketing & advertising in South Africa





Read The one-size-fits all mentality chapter from
Marketing: The Same Difference - Cultural and Language Dichotomy in Advertising
by Louis Itumeleng Seeco, published by Knowledge Resources in November 2009.



Galleries

Bizcommunity: A tribute to John Farquhar

Bizcommunity: John Farquhar's 80th birthday


Leave your own tribute:
We invite you to submit your own tribute to this legendary character below, using the comment facility.

Karen Dyke
Lovely writing Chris, straight from the heart. Posted on 30 Jan 2012 10:51
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Giles Shepherd
An excellent tribute Chris - well done. Written in precisely the style John would have appreciated. Posted on 30 Jan 2012 12:03
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mario diplock
Farewell to a legendary advertising industry voice. I remember how excited I'd get just waiting for the next issue of Advantage magazine. And even though you crit our work you all always did it constructively. The industry has lost another giant and we'll be much poorer for it. Thanks John and go in peace "Big Guy". Posted on 30 Jan 2012 12:57
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Allison Cooper
Rest in peace John - I hope they've got some really great red wine up there, seen as you are the one who taught me how to drink it! Posted on 30 Jan 2012 13:30
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Cowan Family
What a guy! We had fun, and a few fights, from Farquhar and Amis days to the end. Give 'em what-o John! Rob Posted on 30 Jan 2012 17:05
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Riaan Kriel
Rest in peace John! I only met you a few times, but you made me laugh with your chirps. It was a great honor to have shared these short but powerful times with you! Posted on 30 Jan 2012 17:10
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Gill Moodie: @grubstreetSA
This came in after we put the obit up from John's close friends Wilma de Bruin, Petra Peacock and Cheryl Hunter:

"A few of us got together with John for lunch every month for several years and got to know him pretty well in that time. A more passionate man of advertising you could not get - and none more frank about it either. His dreaded pronouncement of an ad campaign as "crap" is a memory that will not rapidly fade. He did not suffer fools gladly and was never a sycophant. It didn't matter who you were in advertising, if he
believed you were producing bad work - and thereby bringing the whole industry into disrepute - he was the first to tell you.

But he was fair. Always willing to engage on an issue and talk about it; hear the other side of the argument. He was no stranger to disputes but was never personal in his assessment; a consummate professional.

He knew all the secrets in an industry riddled with them and he was a loyal and caring friend. He was also the best lunch date in town because his memory was elephantine and his story-telling humorous. A whiskey with Farks was always a pleasure.

He was happy to share ideas and give advice and was very perceptive. He became a friend whom we will miss dearly. and if there's an afterlife, he's giving them hell for not keeping it simple and selling the idea to us without wasting the big guy's time and money on fancy frills." Posted on 30 Jan 2012 17:16
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Vanessa du Plessis
John - you were a character of note. Long will your impish chortles and witty comments echo in my mind! You will be missed.
I wish your family much strength in this tragic time.
Go well.
Vanessa du Plessis. Posted on 30 Jan 2012 17:51
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Brian Oxley
John shot from the hip - always! His perennial viewpoint on advertising was that "if it doesn't sell the product and increase the bottom line then what's the point! And don't talk to me about sales vs creativity - it is possible to do both!" The time I spent with him in the 5fm studios, both on and off the air was fun and incisive. In latter years during my involvement with marketing and then publishing, John was always available to chat to and give his outspoken opinion. I will certainly miss that irascible rascal. Cheers & RIP John. Posted on 30 Jan 2012 18:01
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Gill Moodie: @grubstreetSA
And this just came in from Andy Rice, chairman of Yellowwood Future Architects:

"So sad to hear about John. His public persona was as a grumpy critic of what he saw as frivolous self-serving advertising, created by ill-disciplined "pony-tails", and there was certainly a bedrock of truth in this description. But the important thing was that he had the most honourable of motives, namely to champion work that spoke to consumers rather than to fellow creatives, and in this regard he was ahead of his time -- it's only been in the last few years that advertising has made a truly serious attempt to raise the standards of the profession (not that John would accept that it deserved such a name) whereas John had been beating that drum literally for decades. And he did it from a position of experience -- he'd been a successful adman himself -- rather than as an outsider looking in. He was thus himself demonstrating the properties of a strong personal brand -- consistent, passionate and well-communicated. He was also extremely loyal to those he respected, and I certainly felt that I could ask John at any time for advice, information and favours, and he would never let me down.
The stilling of his voice is a real blow to the South African advertising industry." Posted on 30 Jan 2012 18:03
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Bob Lewis
Valete John. I kind of grew up with you over my last 25 years in the Industry. You seemed indestructible and were a unwavering beacon of common sense in an industry sometimes prone to spin, bullshit and self-deception. Posted on 30 Jan 2012 18:08
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Linda Hamman
So sad... the industry is poorer as a result. A quick note/comment from John always led to a little introspection, which wards against complacency. Well... we still have you Chris.... Posted on 30 Jan 2012 18:15
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Vanessa Mayman
You have left us,
In a fine old fighting mood.
We went as pilgrims and staggered back with broken hearts.
The saint smiles down,
As we honor him,
By dancing and falling over.
(partly borrowed from Louis de Bernieres, Captain Corelli's Mandolin). Posted on 30 Jan 2012 18:21
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Chris von Ulmenstein
What a ball of fun John was, what a gorgeous laugh, and telling the truth as he saw it, often focusing on 'black' and 'white' issues in advertising. He was critical of creatives who did not walk and talk the walk and talk of consumers, and who created ad campaigns that did not reflect the lifestyles of the target market. A truly great ad man. Posted on 30 Jan 2012 19:04
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Herman Lategan
R.I.P. Posted on 31 Jan 2012 05:04
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Suzanne Brenner
I think John would have been bemused by all the tributes because as Chris and many have stated, he didn't give a damn what anyone thought. If you had his support as I did when he put me forward as editor of Darling magazine in the 1980s, he made sure you lived up to his expectations. He was a good man to have in your corner. RIP John. Posted on 31 Jan 2012 07:24
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Gill Moodie: @grubstreetSA
Alec Hogg, the founder of Moneyweb, which is a JV owner of Marketingweb, where Farks was editor-at-large, emailed to say:

"I remember John as a straight shooting, ever-smiling, deeply affectionate human being. The Good Lord broke the mould after creating John. In a world where conviction is scarce, commitment even rarer and independent thought more precious than rhodium, Farqs always stood out. We are all the poorer for having lost him." Posted on 31 Jan 2012 07:51
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Sandra Howatt
You were a true inspiration, and taught us so very much and for that I thank you.
You will be missed John. RIP. Posted on 31 Jan 2012 08:28
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Kim Penstone
Farqs always complained about ‘the old boys club’ in advertising, but when I joined the world of marketing journalism, that’s exactly what I encountered – quite literally. Tony Koenderman, Chris Moerdyk and John Farquhar, like the three musketeers, were the main manne in the industry. I was young and naive and knew nothing about the world of marketing or advertising. I will never forget how all of them brought me into their world, introduced me to people I needed to know, and taught me the ropes – even though I was the ‘competition’! (Not that John would have ever considered anyone competition!) It was a compliment from John on a piece I had written that made me feel part of the industry for the first time. And it was his giant smile at every function (and I do mean EVERY function) that kept me feeling that way.
There are few people who would ever accuse John of being a gentleman, but that’s how I will always remember him – a gentle man, with a giant voice that too often belied his genuinely kind and caring nature.
They don’t make ‘em like you anymore, Farqs. You will be sorely missed. Posted on 31 Jan 2012 08:36
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Sandi Krige
Farqs was a unique brand and he leaves a brand legacy that will be long remembered by all he influenced. RIP Posted on 31 Jan 2012 09:31
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Deon Kruger
It was only three months ago when John told me at coffee to stick to my knitting: "the inner circle of advertising is a club you get invited to; and you are NOT invited," he said.
I looked at him and thought: "you old Fart!"
I could either be offended by him, or take those words of wisdom and learn something from him.
I chose to do the latter and this has helped me steer my agency in the right direction.
Whether you liked him or not, John was a legend.
The industry will miss him.
R.I.P and God Bless you. Posted on 31 Jan 2012 09:52
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tim lineker
RIP John, your watchful eye will definitely be missed in the Advertising and Printing industry. A legend that will never be matched. Posted on 31 Jan 2012 09:59
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Bette Kun
John was an icon in the industry. A straight talker and a complete technophobe. "It's just a typewriter to me" he would say. But he managed in the end to send an receive emails. And get his copy done. What a privilege to have worked with him Posted on 31 Jan 2012 14:57
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DStv Media Sales
To a stalwart and legend in the advertising industry
John … long may your memory live on
Here’s to you enjoying copious glasses of red wine in the sky bar!
Rest in peace, the DStv Media Sales team Posted on 31 Jan 2012 15:11
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Will Corry
I have the very fondest of memories of John. Great lunches and wionderful company on a trip to Honk Kong.

Thanks John for a great friendship

Will Corry
Thomson Publications SA Posted on 31 Jan 2012 15:20
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Joanne Pollard
John was a dear friend of many years and I am going to sorely miss him and the frequent "long Lunches" not to mention the sharp repartee!

He was always very supportive from the time I started my Recruitment Agency in 1989 and always up on the latest schttlebut in the Industry.

John was a truly sweet man at heart- very brave and uncomplaining during his illness.
Goodbye and lots of love.
My sympathy to his family.
Joanne Pollard Posted on 31 Jan 2012 15:32
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Megan Chronis
I am so sad to hear that you are no longer with us, John. You've been such a part of this industry, and so much a part of many of our lives, that it's hard to comprehend that you’re not around anymore. Who’s going to be our collective memory now? The stories you could tell! I remember how I’d rush back from interviewing some or other agency, all brimming over with youthful enthusiasm for the amazing new creative concept they’d come up with, and you’d tell me how so-and-so had actually thought of it thirty years ago. You’d tell me what that original ad had been like, who created it, what the client’s reaction had been – yours was truly a staggering mind, rich with experience, recollections, insight, knowledge. I always felt privileged to have worked with you, to have been able to benefit from your guidance, your always-honest opinion that never carried any personal agenda, your kindness, and your genuine friendship. Thank you for everything, and I’ll miss you, John. Posted on 31 Jan 2012 20:24
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Heather Parker
Raising a G&T to you, John. Make that a double. No, a double double. You were such fun. Posted on 1 Feb 2012 10:35
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Sarah Martin
I will remember you so fondly. Thank you for your guidance and support. With love and respect always. Posted on 1 Feb 2012 11:42
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Kim Barker (Mountjoy)
24 years ago I met a man who scared the hell out of me little did I know you would become my strongest supporter, mentor and friend. You believed in me before I believed in myself. You moaned at me like a dad would his daughter, you encouraged me when I needed support, you kicked my ass if I was wrong, you taught and guided me when I was studying, you offered me wise advice when I was at a crossroads in my career, you taught me how to drink copious amounts of red wine, you were always a phone call or drink away. I am grateful to have had you in my life for so long. I will miss you John it's been an honour and a privelage. Give them hell up there. Love and respect always Posted on 1 Feb 2012 13:36
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Gill Moodie: @grubstreetSA
... And veteran media and marketing journalist Tony Koenderman emailed to say:

"The creatives didn’t like John much because he was absolutely consistent in exposing phonies, and he was unforgiving of those who “cribbed” their ideas (as he put it) from work done in other parts of the world. But if truth be known, he probably saw dishonesty even where it didn’t exist. He was rightly skeptical of awards, but carried it into what many saw as unremitting hostility. He wouldn’t accept that awards had even a small role to play in advertising, and found it hard to believe that an ad could win an award and still be effective. And he always seemed bemused and puzzled that his views provoked such an angry response. He knew he wasn’t being vindictive – even if others thought he was.

But if he didn’t exist, we’d have to invent him. The ad industry needs someone who is merciless in exposing inflated egos, pretension, intellectual dishonesty and self-serving hypocrisy. It was for these reasons, among others, that we gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award at the AdReview Awards last year.

On a personal level, John was friendly and generous of spirit, and tremendously loyal to his friends." Posted on 2 Feb 2012 07:55
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Colin Hudson
We'll miss John's great support of marketing. Over decades he must have attended most of the IMM Breakfasts, 5.30 Club meetings and Marketing Awards events, often with a sharp (but illuminating) word to the organisers about the speaker or the award winner!
RIP Posted on 6 Feb 2012 21:18
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