Prof Farrell pic tells the tales

John Farrell, executive chairman of ad agency D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, is a self-confessed chatterbox- except, that is, when it comes to talking to the press.

He has just been awarded an honorary professorship at his old Alma Mater, then called Trent Poly, now called Nottingham Trent University. As visiting professor of marketing at the university, he says: “Like most people in the advertising agency communications business, I do rather enjoy talking, and the prospect of giving full vent to my options with the added credibility of ‘Prof’ in front of my name was even more appealing!”

However, when closely questioned by the Diary in pursuit of the latest news from his clients, Farrell is less than effusive. He normally suggests that to fill up the pages of Marketing Week, a large picture of him should suffice.