Sir John Hegarty was the Founder and Worldwide Creative Director of BBH. He is one of the most legendary figures in advertising history.
John started his career in 1965 as a junior art director in London. By the late 60s he was a founding partner of Saatchi & Saatchi. In 1973 he co-founded TBWA London.
In 1982, John joined forces with partners John Bartle and Nigel Bogle to found BBH, which quickly became one of the most revered global agencies of the three plus decades to follow. BBH won every award and accolade imaginable, including being named the first ever “Agency of the Year” at Cannes in 1993, then again in 1994.
Throughout his career, John led paradigm shifting campaigns for clients like Levi’s, Audi, Lynx and Johnnie Walker.
Among his many legacies, he helped pioneer the importance of music in commercials, with BBH helping propel nine #1 hits over the years.
In 1994, he was awarded the D&AD President’s Award for outstanding achievement. In 2005, he was given the Clio Lifetime Achievement Award, and inducted into the One Club Hall of Fame. In 2008 he was inducted into the Art Director’s Club Hall of Fame. In 2011, he became the first ever recipient of The Lion of St. Mark award at Cannes for lifetime achievement.
In 2007, John received a knighthood for services to advertising.
Today he leads the Garage Soho, an investment firm and consultancy for early stage consumer brands.