'Brian Francis was an icon of the promotional marketing industry
and my valued mentor through the early parts of my own career.
Brian combined all that was great in the promotional marketing
industry in the eighties and nineties - he was creative,
strategic, and had a great nose for making money along the way!!
Brian also was a wonderfully engaging and charismatic human
being, who was probably one of the best client account handlers
I've ever seen in action!!
He would have been delighted by this award as he loved the
energy and enthusiasm of the young people in the business, and
always had time to encourage and coach, as I, as much as anyone,
can testify!!'
John Farrell
President & CEO, SAMS Worldwide
Publicis Groupe
For marketing people of his generation, Brian Francis needs no introduction. He was a hugely inspirational and respected figure for over four decades, right up to his death in March 2004.
During his career he co-founded I.M.P. (International Marketing and Promotions) in the early 70's. From humble beginnings in Kingston, it became one of the biggest, most successful and enduring Sales Promotion Marketing Companies in Britain. In the early 80's Brian co-founded another very successful marketing services company, FKB (Francis, Killingbeck and Bain). He led this Company, firstly as a private business, eventually going public in 1985. FKB became a major global force through the combination of tremendous organic growth and acquisition. He was, by any standards a very successful businessman within the landscape of marketing services. |
