Advertising Hall of Fame museum in Canberra given green light backed by federal funds
After several years of lobbying the Federal Government, the Australasian advertising industry has finally been granted federal funds to create the Australasian Advertising Hall of Fame, which will be located in Canberra within an existing building adjacent to the National Film & Sound Archive – with a planned opening set for February 2012 to coincide with the Communication Council’s Circus – the Festival of Creativity.
Together with private funds pledged by many of the top ad agency networks and six wealthy ex ad people – plus on-going support from major marketers – the Hall of Fame will have a budget of around $10 million which will fund a wide range of facilities, including a 400 seat theatre which will screen classic and modern day Australian and New Zealand commercials as well as the best of the world, plus host regular live events and seminars.
Up to 10 rooms will feature specific advertising eras – from the earliest days right through to the golden age of the 70s and 80s and into the current era. Rooms will also be devoted to specific agencies on a rotational basis, such as The Campaign Palace, Mojo and Saatchi & Saatchi – plus all-time international greats like 60s DDB New York and 70s CDP London, where the best work of their respective histories will be showcased.
One room will be devoted to the work of Australasian advertising greats, yet to be selected, but sure to include the likes of Lionel Hunt, Mo and Jo, Jack Vaughan, Ron Mather, John Bevins, Bob Isherwood, Kim Thorp and Dave Denneen – many of whom are pictured left – plus younger legends such as Siimon Reynolds and David Droga.
International greats will also get space: the likes of Bill Bernbach, George Lois, David Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, John Salmon and David Abbott.
The pavement outside the museum’s two restaurants – one will be modeled on the original 80s Mario’s in Sydney, the other the 70s Leo’s in Melbourne – will feature a Walk of Fame – with John Singleton and Allan (Jo) Johnstone tipped to be amongst the first to be honoured at the opening ceremony in February next year.
Likewise, the sponsored pub (serving VB, Tooheys and XXXX plus Bundy, Absolut, Johnnie Walker and even Claytons) will be modeled on 70s and 80s ad hangouts, most likely the original Grape Escape in McMahons Point and the Station Hotel in North Sydney – and one area of the pub will have an early 60s New York MadMen theme.
A comprehensive bookshop will sell advertising annuals, DVDs and trade publications from around the world plus other ad related paraphernalia like the VB Boony and Warnie Dolls and Four ‘N Twenty Salad Plates.
The Hall of Fame will aim to feature international exhibitions annually from Clio, D&AD, The One Show, Cannes and New York Festivals.
Many of the exhibits will be interactive, with many in 3D and augmented reality will be a major feature, to encourage regular visits by children and advertising students.
A steering committee will be set up to select a curator for the mammoth project, most likely a prominent former ad man or woman. The likes of Michael Ball (who was in charge of the Cricket Hall of Fame project in Bowral), David Blackley or Stan May are likely to be approached.
6 Comments
WOW, about time. After the success of MadMen and Gruen, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hall of Fame becomes as popular as the National Gallery. Todd and Russ must cut the ribbon, along with Jo and Lionel (and maybe Singo). The only downer is that it will be in Canberra. Surely this would have been better placed in Sydney or Melbourne?
what date is it today?
C’mon, If you want it to truly represent Australia and NZ the pubs would have to include Swan Lager for WA, West End for SA, Boags for Tassie and Steinlager or Tui for NZ.
I was one of the many that did a lot of great ads but didn’t make money out of my time in advertising so interested to know who the six ex ad people are. The ones who really made money out of this business were Singo, Siimon Reynolds, Stan May, Michael Ball, Peter Clemenger, David Blackley, Rob Morgan, Hylton Mackley, Jim Moser, Lionel Hunt, John Fawcett, Ian Elliott, Geoff Cousens, Alex Hamill, Warren Brown, Matthew Melhuish, Rob Belgiovane, Paul Williams and Jamie Mackay. There are more, so hopefully a few of these are putting a bit back into the business.
Putting today’s date aside, this is actually a pretty good idea.
Lynchy, I know you made this all up, but it’s a blueprint for what could be a reality. Can you get the Comms Council to get together with rich ad people like Singo and get this up. I reckon it would be a huge attraction and would actually be profitable, given the commercialism of it all, but hopefully based in Sydney, not Canberra.
Although, funny enough, I went to Canberra three times last year and visited the Art Gallery of Australia each time – and look how big the Vanity Fair event was – so maybe Canberra is not such a dumb idea after all.