John Ellery joins Formetco to deliver world class products throughout Europe

11.18.08

John Ellery John Ellery has teamed up with Formetco to assist the expansion of its products and services internationally. Working with John Gibb, Executive V.P. for International Business Development, over 1,000 of Formetco’s QuickFlex Installation Systems have been introduced in Europe since August. In addition, Formetco has attained success in marketing their Tri-Face Billboards that dominate sales in the U.S.A. With Ellery’s assistance, Formetco is introducing their Ad-Tech EcoSeries Lighting and Backlit Billboard systems to the international market.

On leaving the City of London School in 1963, John studied for 4 years to become a Chartered Surveyor – working in property management and sales. John joined the outdoor contractor, London & Provincial in 1968 and trained in all aspects of the outdoor medium, from billposting to back light development. London and Provincial was at the forefront of the outdoor advertising industry at that time and led many industry initiatives including uniting two Associations into one, developing an acceptable outdoor research program, and starting a monitoring program to ensure delivery.

Ellery was a pioneer in the birth of the street furniture medium. John was instrumental in developing acceptable designs and worked directly with local authorities to integrate outdoor within modern town centre developments and the street scene.

The two largest industry contractors London & Provincial and Mills & Allen, formed a national sales and marketing operation in 1970 called British Posters. This merger included 8 other contractors. John prepared and selected all of the campaigns that BP presented.

In 1976, John was recruited to Smiths & Masons as their Marketing Director for bus advertising, and from there he was appointed Board Director for London & Provincial Group and Adshel – a 50/50 company with More O'Ferrall. London & Provincial was owned 48% by IPC – Reed Group and they purchased a further 3% to take control.

In 1981, John joined Dennis Sullivan at Portland – the major Outdoor-buying Specialist - as Buying Director, but quickly progressed to Managing Director, and went onto developing the first International division in the industry.

In 1995, Portland, then controlled by WPP, agreed to purchase Poster Publicity, which would have provided a perfect fit of expertise Globally. At the last minute the deal failed.

John’s global aspirations were realized when he joined Poster Publicity in January 1996 to form the International Division. He succeeded in opening a global network of 18 worldwide offices outside the UK. His astounding success resulted in producing global sales in excess half of the group’s annual billings of $400 million. Poster Publicity opened their 19th office, in Sydney, early in 2005. Poster Publicity, WPP, and Portland then joined forces to form Kinetic Worldwide, to continue to expand global markets.

January 2006 ushered in a new era for John Ellery. He struck out on his own to allow him to spend more time with his family that had been so supportive of him over many years of travel and long hours dedicated to the industry he loves. He found that his pioneering experience and expertise was well respected and sought after. He formed his own highly respected International OOH consultancy.

In June 2005, John was appointed to the Board of Directors European OOH Association, and also serves on the Board of the European Advertising Standards Alliance, which promotes Self Regulation of Advertising legislation across Europe.

John was honored during his attendance at the Outdoor Advertising Association of America’s Star Showcase in New York as the guest of honor at the dinner hosted by Kinetic Worldwide for his global contributions the out of home media.