A couple of weeks back, I interviewed John Hegarty.
Not for a podcast, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the British Television Advertising Awards.
On stage in a fancy Soho hotel.
On the way there, I remembered taking my folio into him at BBH in the eighties.
I did it countless times.
Receiving free advice and tea in his spotless office.
At the time, I took it for granted, it was normal, everyone took their folios to the luminaries they wanted to work for.
But today, I think; how nice was that? Make time to see a whippersnapper like me when he had a big, successful agency to run.
He must’ve had better things to do?
What was in it for him?
Was I special?
Was it just me that he gave lots of time to or did he do this for everyone?
Do people do this in other industries?
Can you just call up Jony Ive, Christopher Nolan or Annie Leibovitz to review your work?
Or was it something that happened back then but not today?
Can juniors grab a coffee with Dave Droga, Nils Leonard or Greg Hahn?
These were the questions whirling around my head before we went on stage.
We had a great chat, hope you enjoy it.
I owe my career in advertising to Hohn’s generosity. On my first day at the London College of Printing, standing on Finchley Central Tube station, wondering what was ahead for me. He spotted my college scarf (I thought it was a cool thing to wear back then). He said most of the staff were rubbish, except for John Gillard. Turned out to be mostly true. He then talked CDP into taking me on as an intern during the college holiday. Next, he rang John Webster at Pritchard Wood, who granted me an interview and hired me. I could go on, but put most of it into my first book, ‘A Sinner’s Tales…’ Now sadly, out of print.
Interesting Mike.
No, do go on.
Dx
P.s. Still got the scarf?
Good point. I came to see you and Sean in the 90s at Leagas. My recollection is that you were ‘good cop’! Does that still happen? It seemed to dry up and I’m not in that world anymore.
Hey David,
Blimey – well, I can guarantee Sean wasn’t bad cop.
Maybe we were both good cop?
(Or you got me an Sean mixed up?)
Dx