Identity area
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Authorized form of name
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Description area
Dates of existence
History
John Drummond Francis, 1932- , was born in Calgary, Alberta to Harry Francis, 1905-1987, and Marjory Drummond. In 1954 he founded the advertising firm of J.D. Francis and Associates in Calgary. In 1966, the company bought out the public relations consulting firm Nattall & Maloney Ltd. which was founded in 1954 in both Edmonton and Calgary and he co-founded the firm of Francis, Williams and Johnson. In the late 1980s, the name of the firm changed to FWJ Communications Ltd., and then in the 1990s it was shortened to FWJ Advertising & Public Relations. FWJ continued to operate with majority partners Brad Stevens and Nancy McQuade until it was bought by TMP, a USA based large marketing company, in July of 2001, retaining its name of FWJ.
John Francis retired in the fall of 1999 after 40 years in the business. He served as National President of the Canadian Public Relations Society and as President of the Advertising Agency Association of Calgary. He actively encouraged the development of professional training in public relations at Calgary post-secondary institutions. His name is associated with his firm’s campaigns such as “Wear a Moustache” and “Butter is Better” for the Alberta Milk Producers in the 1970s. Other notable campaigns under his management included “Take an Alberta Break” for Alberta provincial tourism, and “Invite a Friend” to promote the Calgary Stampede and the 1988 Winter Olympics.