The man with the X factor

THE recent news that John Binks has lost the battle with cancer genuinely saddened many people in the industry who had an opportunity to meet this exceptional man.
Listening to him deliver market forecasts at various industry events, I was always greatly impressed with his ability to present complex market data with such clarity that it appeared simple and interesting.   
Moreover his presentations were always delivered with a wonderful sense of humour and passion which made us forget that we were looking at market statistics which are rarely considered a riveting subject. Yet, they were fascinating when John delivered them. This is probably why he was invited to speak at countless industry events where the organisers wished to talk seriously about the state of the market but needed a man with the X factor who would hold the audience’s attention to the end.
Of all people who have seen him in action and admired his intellect a few probably knew how modest he was as a man and a professional. This no doubt was the reason why he was so popular among his colleagues and friends.
I met John for the last time in December 2007 when we discussed the possibility of him speaking at the Independent Marketing Awards gala dinner. Although he advised us on how he wished to proceed on this, as always, he was open to new ideas and was happy to give his support to the event which would benefit the independent. His illness prevented us from implementing this plan although his colleague from GfK made a presentation at the Awards evening. Now, I feel that we should find the right opportunity to keep alive the memory of this intellectual giant and such a gentle man.