Russel Howcroft to host ABC documentary on ad agency Mojo
The ABC and production company CJZ will produce a one hour documentary about advertising veterans Alan ‘Mo’ Morris and Allan ‘Jo’ ‘Johnston’, the creatives behind ad agency Mojo.
Hosted by Gruen star and PwC chief creative officer, Russel Howcroft, the documentary will delve into the lives of the two creatives and will feature interviews with Paul Hogan, John Cornell, Ita Buttrose, John Singleton, Ian Chappell and insiders from Mojo.
Mojo was behind Paul Hogan’s Tourism Australia campaign
Mojo was once one of the world’s best known independent agencies formed in 1979 by Morris, who died in 2007, and Johnston. It was known for its ‘ocker’ ad campaigns, and was the agency behind the famous Paul Hogan 1984 ad for Tourism Australia. Mojo also helped turn perceptions of cricket around with ‘C’mon Aussie C’mon’.
In 2016, after almost 40 years, the Mojo brand was retired by holding group Publicis.
Howcroft, who has spent more than 25 years in media and marketing, described Morris and Johnston as the “most important creative figures in Australian history since Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson”.
From L-R: Alan Morris and Alan Johnston, the creatives behind Mojo
“This is the story of how two unpretentious geniuses re-wrote the rule book in advertising. From “How Do ya Feel?” to Paul Hogan putting “another shrimp on the barbie”. They had a hit parade of jingles and ads that did much more than sell products, they changed the way we thought about ourselves, and helped take a new Australian identity to the world,” said Howcroft.
“This is the beginning of my love letter to Australian advertising.”
Legends. Can’t wait for the doco. Mo & Jo inspired me into the game. Such a shame the industry has lost the guts (on the whole) to create memorable, emotionally charged, funny or musical ads that link intrinsically to the brand benefit these days. Thank goodness for clients like iselect and Budget Direct who still have a sense of adventure, and not totally P.C.
User ID not verified.
Cannot wait for this – and hearing from those who worked there. And I’m glad their story is in a safe pair of hands.
User ID not verified.
Mo and Jo created a veritable truckload of the most loved, memorable and successful ads in Australian advertising history. They echoed the everyday aspirations of everyday Australians and Jo was the voice of Australia. Whilst large swathes of the industry were embarrassed about being Aussie and obsessed with mimicking British advertising, Mo and Jo revelled in being Australian. They were unique.They were brilliant. They were simply the best.
User ID not verified.
Thank you to all involved in this Documentary. I’m so proud of what you’re doing .. Mo would say.. What a load of %^*& … and would never admit how honoured he was … the most unpretentious and brilliant man … Thank you ..
User ID not verified.
Russell’s comparison between the MoJo duo and Henry Lawson and Banjo is facile! But that’s the PR advertising industry isn’t it? This guy is another one dimensional self promoter and the new kids at the ABC give the jerk a platform! Australian TV is gutless and giving this conservative moron a platform proves it!
User ID not verified.
Being very proud to join the Mojo team.with Noel Delbridge created the campaign “G’day from W A “that won the Tourism Marketing Award during the Americas Cup in Western Australia.
User ID not verified.
I am a semi-retired doctor and I’m looking for a person of great musical talent as well as courage.
I have written an anti-smoking song which may potentially help many people quit smoking if only someone would write a melody and sing it.
I wonder if Allan Johnston is the one?
The song goes;
The Smoker
CHORUS: See me smoking, I’m so cool!
Am I really such a fool?
Experts say I should not smoke.
They of course are clever folk.
But not so clever, they can’t see,
Smoking may be helping me.
CHORUS……
My stress feels less. I make a flame.
Breathing slow, relaxed again.
Make another lovely cloud.
Feel at peace, one of the crowd.
CHORUS……
So I think that stress goes low?
Fool I am that does not know!
Nicotine goes to the brain
And raises stress right up again.
CHORUS
The peace I get from every puff
Does’nt last near long enough.
Nicotine inside my head
Has made the stresses worse instead.
CHORUS
A moment’s pleasure, then again
Increasing stress and long-term pain.
The companies do laugh and drool
As once again I am their fool.
CHORUS
Tony Krins
User ID not verified.