MFA Hall of Famer John Grono announces retirement
Widely respected researcher and industry mainstay John Grono has announced his retirement, after a career spanning nearly five decades.
Grono began his research career in 1977 as a retail panel statistician at ACNielsen, working across Australia and New Zealand. He later held roles as a business analyst and programmer, serving major FMCG clients, before becoming part of the team that introduced TV people meters to Australia in 1991.
Among his many efforts, he led the development of Media Advisor – the first system globally to deliver overnight TV ratings to PCs, enabling clients to process reach and frequency data in-house.
In 1997, after two decades with Nielsen, he moved to Clemenger BBDO as national media research director. He later became media director of the Sydney office and joined the board. In 1999, he helped with the introduction of OMD Lighthouse — an early econometric modelling tool for advertisers.
John Grono
He was also on the first OMD Management Committee, where he helped merge the Clemenger and DDB media teams to launch OMD Australia in 2000.
In 2002, he left OMD to establish Gap Research, an independent media research consultancy. The Media Federation of Australia (MFA) was his foundation client.
Grono also dedicated much of his career to industry service, having contributed to numerous MFA initiatives, since the body’s inception in 1997.
He served on a number of cross-industry committees, representing the MFA on the Oztam Technical Advisory Committee, Audit Bureau of Circulation, Regional TAM Users Group, IAB Australia Measurement Council, and CRA Research Committee, to name a few.
According to a media release, Grono’s expertise has also resulted in major measurement advancements in the industry, including the developed of Move for the Outdoor Media Association, CineTAM for Val Morgan, and enhancements to Roy Morgan’s Single Source.
“No one has worked across more joint industry projects in Australia than John,” the release from the MFA reads.
He has been recognised both locally and globally as a leader in media audience research, with his contribution to the industry described by the MFA as “unparalleled”. In 2014, he was inducted into the MFA Hall of Fame.
John Grono and Peter Horgan
Peter Horgan, former MFA chairman and OMG ANZ boss — who inducted Grono — said he’s been “constantly humbled” by his passion, expertise, and “all-round decency”.
“It was a privilege to announce his induction into the MFA Hall of Fame in 2014. Farewell, old friend — on behalf of a grateful industry, we’re all hoping you enjoy a richly deserved retirement,” he said in the release.
A number of other industry leaders have paid tribute to Grono this week, wishing him well in retirement as he celebrates his 70th birthday.
CEO of the MFA, Sophie Madden, described him as “the ultimate changer and an unwavering force” in the industry.
“His passion, depth of knowledge and tireless dedication have set a benchmark for integrity, innovation and collaboration. It’s no exaggeration to say that John has perhaps contributed more than anyone else to ensuring the strength and evolution of our industry’s research product. We thank him for his extraordinary service and wish him all the very best in his well-earned retirement,” she said.
Nielsen Audience Measurement’s managing director, Pacific, Monique Perry, thanked him for being a “wonderful teacher, an active listener, and a patient mentor for nearly 30 years”.
“Thank you for your passion, honesty, and solution-focused approach. Your decades of dedication to independent measurement’s vital role in the buying and selling of all media is deeply appreciated,” she said in the release.
“You have been an enduring influence on my career and a dear friend in my life.”
The IAB’s CEO, Gai Le Roy, echoed Madden. She said the industry is “a far better place” thanks to his expertise and passion.
“His sharp thinking, deep knowledge, and willingness to challenge the status quo have played a huge role in making the Australian media measurement market one of the most respected in the world,” she said in the release.
“But beyond the smarts, John has always been incredibly generous with his time, his ideas, and his support for others. He’s been a mentor to many, including me, and a constant presence in shaping the industry for the better. I feel very fortunate to have worked alongside John on so many projects over the last two decades and to have learned so much from him along the way.”
Atomic 212’s founder and chairman, Barry O’Brien, said he has known Grono for over four decades — the majority of their respective careers.
“The media industry and our level of research capability in this country is all the better for the media research roles and steering committees John Grono sat on and contributed to over his stellar career. Thank you, John, for a massive contribution to the media industry and the MFA, and your well-deserved MFA Hall of Fame award in 2014.”
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Lauren McNamara is a freelance journalist contributing to Mumbrella. She previously spent three years at the publication, most recently as the associate editor. She first joined in 2022 after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS. She left her staff role at Mumbrella in August 2025.
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