Credit Where It’s Due: John Grono
At last week’s MFA Awards John Grono became the latest inductee into the MFA Hall of Fame. We give Credit Where It’s Due to one of Australia’s leading audience measurement experts.
“If you’re looking for a research answer go to Grono. If you’re looking for a short answer, go somewhere else.” There are very few people who could talk at length, with passion and expertise about a topic like audience measurement as John Grono.
As was noted at chairman of the Media Federation of Australia (MFA) Peter Horgan at Thursday night’s awards Gap Research’s Grono is a man seldom lost for words.
Indeed before giving him his award Horgs quipped “he will of course comment on the mathematical improbably of three Johns (the others being John Sintras and John Steedman) being inducted into the Hall of Fame.”
So important is the work Grono has done for the industry he is considered a leader in audience measurement research not just locally, but also internationally. There is no media in which Grono has not played an important role in helping ensure a reliable and stringent system of measurement.
His career began in 1977 at ACNielsen as their panel statistician, and then as a business and financial analyst, before moving into MIS information as an analyst and programmer for a major Australian MCG clients.
In 1991 he was part of the team that introduced TV People Meters to Australia, then led the team that created Media Advisor – a global first in delivering TV ratings data overnight to PCs to allow clients to process ratings and R&F in their own offices.
By 1997 he moved to Clemenger BBDO as national media research director, and subsequently became Clemenger Sydney Media Director and was appointed to the Clemenger BBDO Sydney Board. Since 2002 he has run his own consultancy Gap Research.
While we could talk more about Grono’s influence on the industry, it’s probably best left to those who’ve worked with him over the last four decades.
Credit Where it’s Due is all about generating positivity about our fantastic industry. While we welcome positive and constructive comments, anonymous or otherwise, this feature a snark-free zone so please bear that in mind when commenting.
All that is very true, and the recognition is richly deserved.
But, he’s also the first guy you call when some tragically ignored, obscure (ie. weirdo) musical act is coming to town and you need a pardner.
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Well done John richly deserved, hope you enjoyed the night and the recognition.
Cheers BO’B
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Congratulations on the much-deserved recognition John. What do you reckon the probability of a fourth ‘John’ being inducted is??
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Congratulations John, richly deserved. Part of the rare breed of nerds who could articulate complex notions in plain english.
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Sorry I couldn’t be there on the night John, congratulations and well done, I’ve enjoyed sitting on different committees with you.
Regs, Dh
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The best guy to corner for a good media chat at an industry event in my experience. If you get the chance, do it.
Congrats John.
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Here! Here! Very well deserved recognition indeed
The passion always comes across
and always in the spirit of ‘helping’ without any condescension
KK
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Congratulations Grono. The industry would be a poorer place without your decades of dedication.
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Well done and well deserved for a very smart guy.
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Congratulations John. Much deserved!
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