On My Radar: Jono Griffith

What’s the best ad campaign you’ve seen recently?

"Zooby doo zooby doo zooby doo... zooby doo zooby dooby dooby doo... it’s in my head and it’s not leaving... "you can’t get any
more Ribenary" with lazer firing owl thing... rabbits in shades... this weird and wonderful ad does its job brilliantly and takes me to a magical place. more please.

What website(s) do you use most regularly and why?

I reckon it’s a toss-up between Discogs, where I can get all kinds of rare vinyl, and Ad-immo.com, where there are many old mountain granges for sale. I do spend a lot of time listening to records in my rocking chair looking at pictures of dilapidated buildings in the Pyrenees.

What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought and why?

My son Ernie and I recently paid a visit to the magical Umit & Son in Hackney, a shrine to all things cine. We bought a lovely Elmo super 8 projector for him to use in his final art project at college. We also got the complete Raid on Entebbe film. We're gonna turn the living room into a cinema and get some friends over.

What’s your favoured social media platform?

I think I missed the social media platform memo! But Esters, our local cafe in Stoke Newington, is a great place to exchange stories and ideas... you can make new friends over fine coffee and even finer food. But actually I do have Instagram... it's a secret though, only so I can see my daughter Katie-Mae's lovely photos.

What’s your favourite app on your phone?

I love all the video apps. I have a super 8 camera and a VHS camera too. Truly a miracle to have all this and more in my pocket, making films really is art now that everyone has the tools to do it.

What’s your favourite TV show and why?

Gogglebox. Not sure why though. If you pitched the idea to me I’m not sure I'd go for it, but it’s entertaining to laugh, cry and cringe along with everyone. One big family living life and watching TV all together on the sofa. Kinda beautiful.

What film do you think everyone should have seen and why?

Harold and Maude. Wow, what an amazing film. Full to the brim with wisdom and laughs, beautifully edited. Hal Ashby, the director, is my filmmaking hero and, of course, he was a great film editor too.

Where were you when inspiration last struck?

It usually strikes when I'm riding my bicycle. I have an old Dutch bike I get about on, rolling gently through the world I get inspired all the time. Trouble is, I've always forgotten what it was by the time I get off.

What’s the most significant change you’ve witnessed in the industry since you started working in it?

That'd be the internet then.

If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?

I think the way film editing is viewed. Or maybe the compulsory introduction of the magic that is a siesta?

What or who has most influenced your career and why?

My longtime colleague and friend, Matthijs van Heijningen. We've been working together for 20 or so years, mostly laughing, bringing all those ideas to life. His vision, talent, knowledge and trust are still an inspiration. Thank you, mate.

Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know.

I suck my thumb.