OBITUARY; Drum roll for charismatic PR star

AdMedia,  Feb 17, 2006  by Kay Boyle

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It's ironic to be penning an article about Jill Beasley. Jill was such a great writer I always got her to finesse anything I wrote. But this was just one her talents.

On her day nobody could match Jill for her creativity and prolific idea generation. Clients and colleagues would be mesmerised by Jill's unique ideas which she presented with such enthusiasm, you couldn't help but buy into them. And she actually made them happen.

Wrapping the Ferry Building in yellow to launch new packaging for a light bulb was one. Getting the nation to reveal what underwear they wore and why was another. But not just quirky ideas - Jill also handled massive assignments with the same enthusiasm. Launching dotcom for Telstra in Australia was one of her big projects, along with arguably one of the most revolutionary launches of a bank in NZ - BankDirect.

But it wasn't just Jill's creative talent that drew people to her. Anyone that knew Jill recognised that her greatest gift was the ability to make someone feel absolutely fantastic. If you were a friend of Jill's you were constantly inspired by her enthusiasm and the genuine way she spoke to you. She made you feel like the most important person in the world. This was not just a PR persona; it was the way she was with everyone. Her ability to tell a story was great and she reciprocated with just as much enthusiasm when she listened to a story.

Jill's career has always been in the creative environment. From starting out as a copywriter many years ago, through to being the editor for the newly launched Charlie magazine in the '80s. Also as editor of New Idea, Jill often recounted how she used to write the horoscopes herself when an astrologer was not available!

One career highlight Jill used to speak about was a three-month stint on radio acting as a sex therapist. Entitled Speak Easy with Jill Beasley, callers would dial in to hear Jill's husky, sexy, dulcet tones and be rewarded with excellent advice and usually a clever quip. One such caller got more than he bargained for when he complained that his "appendage was too big for his girlfriend". Without hesitation Jill asked if it was bigger than a baby's head.

The caller hung up!

Finally seeing the light, Jill entered the PR world and was approached by Publicis Australasia chairman Graeme Wills to set up a PR company for the Publicis group in NZ. I remember he told me about this appointment and said "Jill Beasley was the best brain in the business". I immediately took a dislike to her!!! However on meeting her he was proved right and we became firm friends and work colleagues and managed to create a lot of havoc together.

Jill did an outstanding job with Drum and for many years it was the PR company that everyone talked about. A roaring success from day one it was renowned for its innovative ideas, its high-profile client list and its talented staff. She often referred to Drum as her "baby" and she created an exciting environment for us all to be around. She also said that some of her happiest moments had been when she worked with us.

Having had a couple of difficult years Jill decided that she wanted to take some time out from the industry and had decided to move to the country and write a book. Some of us are thankful the book was never written.

Jill's death three days after we farewelled her from Publicis Mojo was a shock to us all and all the sadder for the occasion we had just shared with her, particularly Jill's heartfelt speech about Drum's history and the people she worked with. Whilst in hindsight this was slightly eerie, we are glad we were also able to share the things we wanted, to Jill in person. Her absence has left a huge void in Publicis Mojo as many of her colleagues had been friends for many years.

Jill touched the life of everyone she came into contact with. As was said at her funeral - "there will never be another Jill Beasley". Charismatic, clever, witty, loving, generous and charming are all words used to describe Jill.

However words cannot describe how much we will all miss her.

- kay.boyle@publicismojo.co.nz

c 2006 Profile Publishing Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand, and can not be used without prior permission of the publisher.
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