Brian Johns (businessman)
Brian Johns | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 May 1936 Gordonvale, Queensland, Australia |
| Died | 1 January 2016 (aged 79) Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, corporate leader |
| Years active | 1960s–2010s |
| Known for | Managing director of SBS (1987–1992) and ABC (1995–2000) |
Brian Francis Johns (6 May 1936 – 1 January 2016) was a prominent Australian journalist and corporate leader, notably holding the position of managing director at the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) between 1987 and 1992, followed by the same role at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from 1995 until 2000.
Early life
Johns was born in Gordonvale, Queensland in 1936 to Frank Johns, who worked as both a waterside labourer and barber, and his wife Lenora, originally from Ireland. The family moved to Sydney in 1947, where Frank ran a barber shop located in Kings Cross. During his youth, Brian took on jobs including paper delivery and factory work before enrolling at St Columba's Seminary at age sixteen. After three years, he departed the seminary and relocated to Canberra.
Journalism career
Johns launched his journalism career with The Queanbeyan Age and later contributed as a feature writer for the Australian News and Information Bureau, a governmental promotional agency. In 1964, he was appointed as the inaugural chief political correspondent for The Australian. The following year, he became a special writer for The Bulletin. He joined The Sydney Morning Herald in 1966 as a leader writer, progressed to chief of staff by 1969, and then moved back to Canberra in 1972 to serve as chief political correspondent.
Media managerial career
In 1974, Johns transitioned to public service as First Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He shifted to publishing in 1979 when he took on the role of publishing director at Penguin Books Australia. From 1987 to 1992, he directed SBS as managing director before assuming the chairmanship of the Australian Broadcasting Authority. His tenure as managing director of ABC spanned from 1995 to 2000, during which he spearheaded significant projects such as ABC Online, the national launch of The 7.30 Report, Australian Story, and the drama series SeaChange.
Between 2000 and 2003, Johns served as an adjunct professor within the creative industries faculty at Queensland University of Technology and chaired its cultural precinct board. He joined the board of Copyright Agency Ltd in 2000 and led it as chair from 2004 until 2009. Beginning in 2011, he held a directorship at Melbourne University Publishing.
Death
Johns passed away on New Year’s Day in 2016 at a hospital in Sydney after a battle with cancer.
Honours
In recognition of his contributions to publishing and media, Johns was named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) during the Australia Day Honours in 1988. He was also awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 for his services to media and public broadcasting.
Additionally, Johns received honorary doctorates from both RMIT University and Queensland University of Technology, where he had also served as an adjunct professor.