Vale Alan Stobie
There wouldn’t be many people who’ve worked in the Perth ad industry over the past 50 years who wouldn’t be familiar with the name of Alan Stobie. Great friend and colleague Ingrid Waltham remembers ‘Stobes’.
Though he’d never concur, ‘Stobes’ was one of the most brilliant creatives in town during the glory days of advertising in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. For over 40 years he worked with some of Perth’s best – the best people, the best brands and the best agencies, including Johnson Boon, SSB, O&M, Parkes Clemenger (later Clemenger), Jenkin Morgan Aitken (JMA), DMB&B, Adlink, MJB&B and Trilogy.
Clemenger 1977
After ‘retiring’ from full-time agency work in the 2000s, Stobes stayed connected with the industry and the people he loved through his freelance business ‘The Write Idea’. More recently he also wrote and directed ‘The Allied Games’, a documentary that aired on Foxtel.
Copywriter, creative director, storyteller, mate. Stobes was clever, creative, opinionated, generous and self-deprecating. He didn’t tolerate BS – ever. Saw through fake. Loved his friends. Hated fuss. He’d have probably hated this, too.
Tough.
Vale, Stobes.
With his usual stubborn candour, Stobes made it clear he did not want a funeral.
Former MD of Ogilvy & Mather Perth, Roger MacAuliffe commented: “Alan Stobie was something of a secret weapon for Ogilvy & Mather in the 1980s … even within the agency. He was so quiet and unassuming you were hardly aware of his presence – until you needed him to come up with a great concept or brilliant bit of copy, fast. Then he loomed large, and never failed to deliver. Stobes was a professional creative of the highest order, and a top bloke with it.”
“Marty Rowie Stobes” – taken about 5 years ago at a Trilogy Melbourne Cup function – Marty Braine, Steve Rowe and Stobes
“DMBB Reunion 1990” – Brett McPherson, Fran Reynolds, Paul McDowell
“Stobes and Crew” – Fran Reynolds, David Lanyon, Kerry Gretton, Stephen Dennis (Stobes’ partner), Ken Painter, Val Painter, Fran Dienelt (nee Stewart), Kevin Dienelt, Rick Schaeffer, Jo Bulline, Mark Bulline
12 Comments
Stobes – I can’t believe it. What a wonderful man. I had the privilege of working with Stobes for a while and loved his creative mind and sharp wit. He will be missed by many.
Sad news. RIP Stobes!
I had the great privilege of working with Stobes during my two year stint with Clemenger.
Some in the Perth ad industry are loud, brash and Prima Donnas, but Alan was not one of them.
Stobes was a pragmatic ‘get-on-with-it’ kind of guy and one of the few writers with whom I worked who could actually write well – ie; he had a good vocabulary and an excellent grasp of grammar, syntax, punctuation etc.
He was erudite, astute, articulate, unflappable and utterly reliable. ‘Mr Dependable’ could always come up with what was generally and innovative solution to any brief.
I always loved his ‘Paint The Town Red’ campaign for Burswood Casino completed just before I joined Clemenger because unlike subsequent material produced for this client after Clemenger was forced to relinquish the account [due the conflict with Clemenger Sydney after they has acquired the Sydney Casino account], it contained a strong, single-minded idea.
After Alan left the agency scene, he and his partner moved to Bridgetown for several years in the deepest, darkest south from where he successfully freelanced. I must confess his passing has deeply affected me – it makes one confront their own mortality.
Deepest condolence to his partners and friends.
I had the privilege of working with Alan over many years in many studios and I always enjoyed it. He was just such a nice guy, and very funny too! I will miss his no-nonsense approach which always led to great results…on time and on budget!
Stobes was my friend since the mid eighties. I first met him when I was freelancing at Ogilvy and Mather and he made me so welcome from the start. In later years we spent a dozen brilliant weekends with him at the Bridgetown Blues festival with his partner Stephen and Yvonne Renshaw and her partner Greg. Wonderful times. He was one of the truly lovely men in Perth Advertising. He’ll be sorely missed. RIP Stobes
A brilliant writer. A brilliant man with the warmest heart and smile. Very sad you have left us. Farewell Stobes.
To find the best words for this comment, I’d have to ask Stobes. But I can’t. All those many times I’ve needed that just-right expression, grammar advice and guidance on ideas, I’ve turned to him. As I did for over 30 years for wit and laughter, straight-up honesty, book recommendations, the biggest hugs and truly extraordinary friendship.
I asked him a couple of years ago for a new expression to replace the over-used and inane “Oh my God”. He quickly responded “Oh my Stobes”. Perfect.
With love and sympathy to Stobes’ friends and to his amazing partner Stephen.
Many amusing sessions over many many years….with a very lovely man…. Stobes will be missed by so many people….RIP old mate
Marty
My first real job in an agency was at AdLink, where my first ‘fellow writer’ was Stobes – already a very experienced creative at that point. We all go into new jobs, and even more so new careers, with a huge amount of trepidation about whether we’ll fit in, whether we’ll be taken seriously – whether we even deserve to be there. But I needn’t have worried. Stobes was an open-hearted guy who had no interest in ‘defending his turf’. I can’t pretend that we ever became close friends, but I will be forever grateful for the immediate welcome and acceptance and encouragement I received from him. He was a kind man, and as an industry we could use more kindness.
So sorry to learn of the recent passing of Stobes. We worked together at Parkes Clemenger in the early 80’s on a number of retail accounts. I always admired his down to earth approach to advertising creativity and his genuineness as a person. I was the junior creative in the team, but working with Alan would always be on equal terms. Unfortunately we parted company after a client review and loss of account which saw my advertising/marketing career take a completely different direction. My sympathies go out to his partner Stephen and to his family. I join the many in the advertising and marketing industry who say Vale to a one-of-a kind gentleman.
Such a great boss, mentor and friend. It was hard watching Stobes go through his battle with cancer and who could blame him for saying ‘no more’ to the chemicals. He was always so good at keeping in touch and when COVID hit, he was the one who rang just to see if we were OK. When I was living in Japan working American Chamber of Commerce Journal, it was Stobes who came up with a brilliant ad when I was stuck for a concept for a client. They loved it, of course. He left his creative mark on the documentary, The Allied Games. One of his last. Thanks for the memories, Stobes.
Stobes was a bit of a legend . In an Industry where most creatives have about a 10 – 15 year life span, he did well to survive more than most. RIP