Naked co-founder John Harlow passes away
John Harlow
John Harlow, one of the world’s most original media thinkers, has passed away.
Harlow died after suffering a hemorrhage in hospital in the UK, a close friend and former colleague has confirmed.
Harlow was the co-founder of Naked Communications, a strategy agency he launched with Will Collin and Jon Wilkins in 2000. The Australian operation launched four years later.
Naked turned the media agency model upside down by offering pure media thinking without the buying.
In a tribute to Harlow, Wilkins said: “John was one of my best friends, and a total inspiration.”
“When we set Naked up we wanted to create a home for the brilliant misfits of our industry. John was one of the most brilliant.”
“The world will be a poorer place without him,” he said.
In thirteen years, Naked has become a global brand, with offices in Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne, Minneapolis, New York, Copenhagen and London.
The agency was acquired by the Sydney-based Photon Group – now known as Enero – for $38m in 2008.
Harlow joined The Brand Agency in Perth as director of communications planning in March last year for family reasons, but only spent a brief period with the agency before returning to the UK. He had since been living in Brighton, England.
He was described by Fast Company magazine in 2005 as a “scruffier-looking James Dean with piercing blue eyes”.
Harlow was 45 years-old when he died.
Robin Hicks – Hong Kong This was first posted on Mumbrella Asia
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This is very sad news. My sincere condolences to John’s family and friends.
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Tragic news for everyone.
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Reading this reminds me life is too short to care much about advertising…beyond being a means to an end.
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I worked a lot with John back in 2000 when naked and Karmarama first launched. He was a clever bastard, great fun, full of energy and a real inspiration. He reminded me of a cowboy from the wild west, all hard living, hard fighting, good looking rugged son of a bitch. You always knew you were going to have fun with him, I will never forget the night we had in a Tokyo bar back in 2001, I’ve dined out many tomes on that tale. I will really miss him, and really wanted to catch up with him soon, his passing is a shock and a lesson to live life. My thoughts go out to all that worked with him, and his family and friends. Dave
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Dear John,
May your spirit continue to inspire beyond your body.
I imagine you will
be back on this world soon in a more powerful role .
Love and blessings to his family
Derek Leddie
The Leading Edge
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