Much lauded SA ad man, Ivan Johnson, has released his memoir - ‘Already I had lost most traces of a typical ‘coloured’ accent. In time I would get used to overhearing, from some of the girls I flirted with, ‘But he speaks so well.'
Journey with Johnson in this tale of his identity crisis as a high-spirited boy from a close-knit family on the Cape Flats as he comes of age amid the turmoil of ‘The Struggle’. Joining the lilywhite advertising industry, he ghosts from group to group, fitting in everywhere but belonging nowhere. Told with flair and irreverence, Ivan’s sharp eye and zest for life offers both food for thought and great entertainment.
In an industry obsessed with youthful exuberance, Ivan Johnson was considered a veteran ad man twenty years ago. He still is – albeit now in the more accommodating environment of his own ad agency, 3Verse.
Ivan has learned his craft at most of South Africa’s multi-national agencies including Y&R, Bates, FCB, and BBDO. Of his 32 years in the ad business, he spent 15 years at BBDO Cape Town, first as Creative Director then Executive Creative Director and shareholder. It is here he won his cabinet full of Cannes Lions, D&AD Pencils, One Show Pencils, and scores of Loerie Awards.
Ivan’s attention to craft made him the first South African to be invited as a juror on all the South African-recognised award shows – Cannes Lions, D&AD, Art Directors Club NY, CLIOS USA, and Dubai Lynx (x2).
Prior to its release one chapter of his book had already been published in the SA Matric English 2nd Language handbook.
But He Speaks So Well is available online and at bookstores across South Africa.
