Julian Henry (born 11 June 1959 in England) is a Public Relations executive and media writer based in London UK and Los Angeles California. He has worked in music PR and journalism since the 1980s, during which time he has released several CDs with the group The Hit Parade. He founded the entertainment PR firm Henry's House in the 1990s, was appointed Head of Communication for Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment in 2006, and writes for The Guardian newspaper.[1]
Contents |
Julian Henry is related to several figures in media and journalism. He is the son of Brian Henry, a well known figure in the early days of independent TV in London in the early 1960s. In 1956 Brian Henry became the Controller of Advertisements at Associated-Rediffusion Ltd, the London weekday TV broadcaster, and the largest and most important television company in the ITV network, before joining Southern TV as Managing Director in the 1960s. He later joined the Daily Mail Associated Newspapers as Director of Marketing taking the newspaper from broadsheet to tabloid, and later returned to Southern Television. He was a Fellow of Institute of Marketing, and Chairman of the Oxford Playhouse helping to restore the building and bring it back to use. He was author of the book "British Television Advertising: The first 30 years" (1986, London).
Julian Henry's mother is Elizabeth Craig, former journalist for Woman's Journal, child star of various billboard campaigns including Wrights Coal Tar Soap (popular household soap in 1930's Britain)and other advertising work. She was photographed by Dorothy Wilding, and appeared as a child regularly in the Daily Express, Sunday Express and other newspapers and magazines.
He is great nephew of Elizabeth Craig MBE FRSA, (celebrated Scottish author, journalist, cook). Elizabeth Craig was the best known Scottish cook of the 20th Century. She wrote over 40 cookery books, and contributed to many magazines and newspapers. She appeared on the famous 'over 90s' show on BBC TV Parkinson in 1978 aged 95 alongside Rt Honourable Manny Shinwell MP and the playwright Ben Travis CBE.
Julian Henry is the great nephew of Arthur Mann, First World War and Second World War journalist and reporter for Washington Post, New York Times and North American radio broadcasting organisation Mutual Broadcasting Company. Mann was a contemporary of Edward Murrow, Richard Dimbleby and others. He broadcast weekly reports across America from Europe throughout the 2nd World War.
He is brother of UK advertising copywriter Susie Henry, D&AD Gold Award winner, creator of the slogan "We Won't Make A Drama Out Of A Crisis" and founder of advertising agency Waldron Allen Henry & Thompson.
Julian Henry lives in London and Oxford and has two children George (born 1997) and Harriet (born 1999).
Julian Henry started work as a junior publicist for music Press Agency Alan Edwards in London's West End in 1979 repping clients that included Billy Idol, Generation X, The Stranglers, Blondie, Wire, and The Buzzcocks. He later joined Albion Management, the owners of several London new wave venues including The Hope'n'Anchor and The Nashville. There he became the PR Manager for the Albion Record label and The dBs, Hazel O'Connor, Billy Bragg, Joe Jackson, Ian Gomm, 999, Pinpoint and others. He became a freelance journalist for music magazines including Melody Maker, NME, Record Mirror, The Hit, Underground Magazine and Music Week. He was ther first journalist to review the newly formed Simply Red and teenage actress Patsy Kensit, then about to launch her career with Eighth Wonder. He interviewed many prominent 80s music acts including Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Propaganda, Trevor Horn, Wet Wet Wet, Motorhead and others.
In 1986, Julian Henry was appointed as PR executive for renowned fashion publicist Lynne Franks. He remained there for ten years as she promoted the careers of Jean Paul Gaultier, Katherine Hamnett, Rifat Ozbek and other influential designers, eventually becoming Deputy Managing Director. Henry was caricatured in a sketch by comedians French & Saunders.
In 1987 Julian Henry met music manager Simon Fuller and began a working relationship that has lasted over 20 years to the current day. His first work for Fuller was for songwriter Cathy Dennis and Annie Lennox while at Lynne Franks PR. He remains one of Fuller closest advisors and has taken on a senior role at 19 Entertainment as global head of communication.
He became a director of Lynne Franks PR in 1991 and developed his own entertainment client roster away from fashion including Absolut Vodka, Coca-Cola, BBC Radio 1, HMV Music Stores, Yamaha, Sega, the pop singer Michael Jackson, The Spice Girls and various television shows including the BAFTA award winning C4 show Network 7. While at LFPR Julian Henry co-produced two TV shows with BBC TV's Kenton Allen 'Yamaha Band Explosion' (BBC) - a sponsored TV showcase for new talent - which featured early performances by Teenage Fanclub, Manic Street Preachers, Blur and Radiohead. He also worked with Allen on the Diet Coke Movie Awards (ITV). At this time he founded his own record label JSH Records and contributed articles to British music papers including NME, Melody Maker and Music Week. As a champion of indie music and contributor to Underground Magazine Henry helped unearth several bands that went on to prominence including Liverpool group The La's who he introduced to Go Discs chief Andy McDonald.
In early 1990s his music group The Hit Parade became successful in Japan and USA. He toured Japan four times and released a series of CDs that were critically applauded but never commercially successful. Between 1996 and 1998, he was a member of the Spice Girls' management team.[2] In 1998 he launched his own PR company, Henry's House with Simon Fuller as a fellow director.[3] While running Henry's House he publicised Tango, Big Brother, Coca-Cola, Absolut Vodka, Pop Idol and various TV shows and celebrities.
In 1998 through 1999, he continued to do peripheral sports media management in association with Fuller's 19 Management, and acted as Steve McManaman's sports agent, securing his lucrative move to Real Madrid, making him the world's best paid British player at the time.[4]
In 2004 he was listed as one of the Top 10 Marketing & PR people in the UK by The Guardian newspaper. http://media.guardian.co.uk/top100_2004/index/0,,1247483,00.html
In 2007, Henry took on the role of Head of Communications at Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment where he oversees promotion of David and Victoria Beckham, American Idol TV show, the Spice Girls and others, as well as handling all corporate affairs issues for Simon Fuller.[5] Henry is no longer involved with Henry's House. He was a Trustee of The ICA from 2001 to 2008. He writes an occasional newspaper column for The Guardian.[6]
7. ^ Burrell, Ian (2010,09.09). "Are The Tabloids Out Of Control?". The Independent (Independent News and Media Ltd). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/hack-attack-are-the-tabloids-out-of-control-2074049.html