This site was originally conceived as a place where we could collectively come together to share our sadness at Chris’ passing and gladness for his life. Now that Chris is gone and we have said our goodbyes to him, we have decided to keep the site up as a place where all of us who loved Chris, who worked and played with him, could come at any time we like to remember just what an extraordinary man he was and how much he meant to all of us both individually and collectively.
We hope that everyone will visit Chris here every now and again; when you want to just pop in and say “hello, mon brave”, remind yourself of what a lovely man he was and what he meant to us all or just to feel his presence “cheering you on from the touch line” as he once memorably described the role he played for so many of us.
One of the true gentlemen of our game and an example of how it should be properly played.
Yrs
Tony
I absolutely loved working with Chris – he was generous with his time, his experience and his advice. He was fantastic company: fun, charming and kind.
It is incredibly unfair that he has gone and I will miss him very much.
Louisa
I met Chris only once about 4 years, but I remember him very well – his energy, curiosity, sense of humour. We are lighting candles for Chris in Moscow.
Chris was a true gent. Honest, kind and incredibly patient. His personality and knowledge will be sorely missed at the ‘Caffeine table’.
Ged
A lovely, quick witted, wise and articulate man taken way too soon. I’ll always remember his wicked laugh and smiling eyes. John
I also did not meet Chris very often but on the occasions that I did he was always so interested, kind, welcoming and most of all so full of life. I wish I had taken more time to get to know him better.
I wish his family all the strength to deal with this loss and may beautiful memories chase away the pain of your loss.
Yours,
Arnout Mostert
Chris was the counter to the legendarily laid-back side to BMP’s character, as he seemed to live with incredible urgency. Working with him was never dull: there was always something more we could do, some other angle to investigate, one more push. Socially he was the same: always one new angle to the conversation, one new chair to be pulled up to the table, one new person to be welcomed in. Chris is gone to soon, but he packed a lot of life in to his years. Rest in peace, Cowpey.
The gentlest of gentlemen with true generosity of spirit. It was a pleasure to know (all too briefly), work with and have more than a few irreverent giggles with Chris. His loss will be dearly felt by many and I would like to send my sympathies and best wishes to ‘his girls’ and all of those who loved him, not least the Caffeine crew. E x
Very sad – a genuinely lovely man – funny, charming, generous and mischievous – he will be missed.
I met him only twice, over drinks: warm, generous, and funny.
I spent many days (and nights) in the Conference Room, Presentation Room, Cinema…..okay and maybe the POW, working on New Biz projects with Cowpie.
Quite simply – he made me love what I did. (Our shared enthusiasm for a glass of crispy, white wine, might have helped too!)
Clever, energetic and passionate – that’s how I’ll remember him.
Deepest sympathies to Jane and the rest of his family.
Tricia
I was lucky enough to have met Chris last year. He was a true gentleman and it was such a pleasure to work with him. It’s so very sad that he had to say goodbye now. My blessings go to his family and beloved ones, colleagues and partners. He’ll be missed dearly from our Caffeine team. Tanja
I have lost my Inspector Morse. As his sergeant Lewis, it has been a privilege to work with simply the nicest and cleverest man I have ever worked alongside. He was irascible, tetchy, precise, painstaking, demanding, cantankerous – all in the name of getting it right or righter than right. And he was a ball of energy – I remember Ed Docx describing him as the only person you could catch a heart attack off. But he was as ebullient as he was dark; as full of total optimism as he was curmudgeonly; as caring an compassionate as he was demanding. He showed me that nice guys don’t come last and that it is possible to be both brilliant and civilised – they are not mutually exclusive, which my experience up until working at BMP had taught me. He gave me shelter in the best ad agency in the world and I never stopped learning from him. To have created Caffeine with him and Andy has been a terrific ride and he will always be our very, very special Espresso – intense, punchy, brooding and a jolt of intensity. I am so glad he is beyond the pain now and I hope he has had a pleasant surprise in his new guise. I see him perched on a tall stool, at a Celestial bar, with a never ending glass of Chablis in hand and that perpetual smile, with the lips turned up slightly at the sides ready to open into a big, generous grin at the slightest provocation. I see him looking fondly at us all – so many of whom he nurtured – and I hope he is meeting all his heroes from history. When I joined BMP, Chris took me out for lunch. We went somewhere very nice in Notting Hill. We had a 3 o’clock new business credentials meeting with Wrigley. A very big deal. Four bottles of Chablis later we rolled up to greet the client who was already in reception. I don’t remember much about the meeting, and Cowpie certainly wouldn’t have. The client never came back, surprisingly. But we did alright, Chris and me. We managed to bring in a few shekels. They don’t make ‘em like that any more.
Chris was my hero. He showed us what it is to live with heart and conscience and to be kind, giving and generous and how to delight in the company of others. I loved him very much.
Jesus, David! I’m crying in the middle of the day! Brilliant words.
This is lovely, David. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself in this time of great loss for you. Xx
Dear Cowpe
You taught us the magical arts of Stanley.
You taught us the curious arts of Webster.
You taught us to master financial negotiations (ok not so much).
You taught us that’s its better to be honest than false.
You taught us its better to be a smash martian than an arsehole.
You fought to keep the cheese board in the first recession.
You fought to keep the hot sausages in the next.
You fought for us in the last.
You fought for intelligence over show.
You fought for making this odd business fun.
You taught and fought for us all so much,
We are truly indebted.
P x
Dear Chris,
Goodbye and thank you for so many fabulous memories;
Chablis O’clock, piles of indecipherable scribbled notes, the bashed up BMW, mischievous smiling eyes under the bushy eyebrows, the laughing cough (or was it the coughing laugh), the ever present black suit and tie, a new angle, eternal optimism, never give up, keep going, time for one more …
I suspect that you won more business that lead to famous campaigns than anyone – that makes you a proper advertising legend.
You were taken far too soon from your family, friends and colleague and the world is a duller place without you.
Thank you for all of your patience, guidance & inspiration.
Rest in peace,
Jorian
P.S. Man United won yet another title last night, how fitting.
He truly was one of the gentleman in our industry as well as a great talent. We will all miss him.
It’s such a terrible loss. Chris was smart, kind, funny, gentle and incredibly thoughtful. One of those people who I’m so pleased to have met and someone who will be deeply missed by those he’s spent time with.
Remembering, now, something he once told me.
A quotation from some legendary Zulu warrior (who’s name he knew, but I’ve forgotten) – uttered whilst surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered by enemy forces.
If we attack… we die.
If we defend… we die.
We attack.
I have been friends with Chris for twenty years and this is what I will remember about him.
Chris listened unconditionally: I always felt interesting when I talked to him because he was always delighted to hear what I had to say. Not that I had something special to say, just that he simply brought out the best in me – and others – by his focus, his curiosity and his fierce brain-power. It was always great to tell Chris what I was up to because what I was up to suddenly became magical. I’ve never met anyone like that before – no ego, just care, attention and love.
And of course, he couldn’t have been any of the above without the strong arms of Jane around him.
Just got this terribly sad news last night. Cowpey was one of a team that defined BMP for 30 years. They each made their unique contribution and Cowpey’s was so distinctive – the irascible intellectual genius hammering away at a deck late into the night before the pitch the next morning, glass of chablis at his elbow, hand written charts flying out in all directions; then out of the chaos would emerge this superbly constructed argument that made sense of the client’s problem and explained why the strange creative solution about to be presented was in fact perfect for their purposes. He, Ross and Felders were the heart of the ‘academy’ – the brilliant midfield perhaps of that incredible team.
Our hearts go out to Jane and his family today. RIP, Cowpey.
Chris was a great man with a great character, a true advertising and marketing great. He was loved by many and will be missed by more.
Chris was a fantastic mentor to me at the very start of my career. We overlapped at BMP for five years and he inspired me with big ideas and a big personality.
He will be missed a lot, by many. But his good spirit will live on.
After not seeing Chris for decades
I was lucky enough to see him last Christmas and at the recent BMP
party. It gave me the chance to reacquaint
myself with a really great guy.
Chris was always happy.
Ready to smile and lift you up.
I can easily recall his smile and chuckle.
He made working together fun.
My sincere best wishes to his family, who
were lucky enough to see him every day.
I’m drinking Pinot Noir as I write, rather than Chablis, which I’m fairly sure Chris would have no issue with.
As someone who was privileged enough to spend my early years in advertising as the junior on many of Cowpey’s pitches, I’ve got fond memories of acetates, B & H, wine, and 2am inspiration. Then more acetates. Any addiction to the highs of pitching and the acceptance of taking the lows with grace can all be traced back to Chris. My BMP memories, which are many, are dominated by a few key characters – Cowpey is certainly one of those.
To Jane and family, best wishes from the other side of the world. Very sad news.
Simon
Very sad to hear this news. I was lucky enough to know Chris early on in my career.. He taught me loads about about passion, enthusiasm and determination to get something better out. I’ve been been lucky enough to chat with him a number of times in recent years and still feel the same way about him: one of the nicest, smartest and most generous people I’ve been lucky enough to know in the business.
What a nice guy, too young to go. Chris was a gentleman, always easy to be with, work or social. A dedicated and committed ad man from the golden era.
Such sad news. I am one of the many who got to know Chris at 2 am in a conference room over a bottle of chablis and a deck of charts that still wasn’t quite right. There was always that moment when you thought you’d be able to leave soon and then Chris would walk back in the room with two bottles of wine and say – “right, let’s just have another think about this”. I loved working on pitches with him. He treated everyone on the team as equal, made us all feel clever and got the best out of everyone as a result. He always made it fun and always thanked for your contribution – normally by taking you to 192 for a very , very long lunch. My BMP years were the most enjoyable years of my career and Chris was a big part of why it was so good to work there. So sad for Jane and the family. Our kids are the same age. I will hug them tighter tonight..
So sorry to hear about Chris. I have so many happy memories from the million years we both worked at BMP. He will be greatly missed.
My very best wishes to Jane and family.
I always looked forward to seeing Chris and would have liked to have seen him more. Always fun, always challenging. Interested in history and everything else it seemed. We were at BMP together and he was one of the second generation who continued to carry the flame for what the place and the people there stood for. My thoughts are with Jane and the family. Giles
Chris lives on in all these entries – he comes alive off the page and lives on in the memories and hearts of all of us lucky enough to have known and worked with him. There was something so infectious about his energy, his stamina, his indomitable spirit and that wonderful, hoarse laugh and its so true, time spent in his company made you feel better, taller, more alive. The last time I saw him he was clearly unwell but made light of his illness and was more interested in me and mutual friends – so generous-spirited – so typical.
We’ll miss you.
I am devastated to read that Chris passed away . He was an inspiration.His dynamism and energy were infectious and there was never a dull moment working with him.
All my thoughts and support are with Jane, his children and the rest of the family.
As a wide-eyed graduate at BMP in the mid-90s, I remember Chris as a tireless new business machine who always strove to ‘do the right thing’. Although a hard taskmaster, he managed to be eminently approachable and inclusive too.
One day early in our graduate programme, our boardroom lunch, hot sausages and all, was interrupted by Chris bursting into the room. There was a pitch on and he wanted ideas; no matter that we were wet-behind-the-ears grads. I made a glib suggestion, which Chris latched onto and said something like: “That’s good, we’ll use that in the pitch.” I very nearly burst with pride – which would’ve been messy given the number of sausages I’d eaten – and I phoned my parents that evening to tell them. I can’t think of too many agency leaders as adept at making everyone feel their worth.
A very talented man but, more than that, a lovely chap and a true inspiration.
Thoughts are with Jane and the rest of the family.
So sad to hear Chris has passed away.
Was fortunate enough to work with him at BMP.
The comments show that he lives on vividly in our memories as he will do for his family.
Our agency celebrates “gentlemen with brains,” and Chris always fit right in when working with us. He had the staying power to help us get things right — or at least as right as was possible under what were usually ridiculous high-pressure situations. For me, he also reminded that we were working in “advertising,” which historically was meant to be fun, as well as stimulating, creative and competitive. As we prepared for more “encounters with procurement,” Chris was a breath of fresh air to remind just how fulfilling careers in our industry can still be.
For someone so perpetually busy, Chris was the most generous person I know with his time. He really did care.
At a party just before Christmas, some of my friends and family met Chris for the first time. He was only there for an hour, but he somehow managed to meet all of them. But not only did he meet them, he also charmed, entertained and encouraged them. They have all since talked of him in glowing terms.
His time here was way too short, and he gave most of it away to others. It’s easy to try to emulate the Chablis drinking, but his other traits are much harder to mirror. But the World would be a much better place if we all tried.
It’s pretty much 30 years to the day since I turned up at BMP and went into Cowpie’s office proudly brandishing my first presentation for Courage.
“That’s a rubbish chart,” he proclaimed with a knowing smile, “Come on, let’s rewrite it.”
He promptly removed a full ashtray from the top of a large pile of paper and we did just that.
Bright, funny, restless – Chris was a legend.
Lord Cowpe
So sad that you’ve left us so soon. Am fittingly drinking Chablis as I type. You were such an amazing man and mentor to me (although you did have a habit of calling me to go to the bar at 530 when I probably should have been finishing my British gas minutes….). I’ll really miss your sage advice, fine company and our rounds of pretty poor golf.
My thoughts are with Jane and your family
All my love
James
My clearest memories of Chris are visual; he always seemed to be dashing, coat tails flying, long black hair flying, head a bit tucked down, eyes flashing up for a second, half smile, pale skin, dashing down the corridor. I thought he and all the other top BMP people were incredibly glamorous and charismatic. Chris vibrated with passion and confidence. Good luck on the astral plane from rainy Detroit.
It’s so hard to believe.
Chris lit up the room with his humour, insights and humanity.
He’s someone I’ve known for almost my whole time in advertsing – Chris brought so much of value to everyone he met.
He’s left behind an indelible footprint – Such a loss – Mikex
Desperately sad news.
Cowpe was that rare combination – a relentless, restless drive and rigour ran through him, as did a generous, soulful love of people. In a nutshell he made you want to be the best you can be. Without resorting to the stick or any rubbish management speak. Even in the stickiest of moments he retained the ability to laugh (usually at Glens’ or my latest balls up).
Never boring. Never dimmed. Never beaten.
Best wishes to Jane and family.
jbx
I can’t believe he’s gone.
Those twinkly eyes, that laugh, the invariable cry of ‘Mon Brave’ when you entered his office, his energy and enthusiasm, his belief that it could always be better, and his enormous generosity of spirit.
I knew him for 25 years. He interviewed me as a grad trainee. He taught me everything I know about new business – and it’ still only a fraction of what he knew. I owe him so much.
Those long nights in the cinema and the glass room, endless pitch decks, and his determination to ‘get it right’. What times they were.
Cheers Cowpie.
Cowpey,
You possessed all the traits that made advertising a great industry to work in: passion, humour, humility, intelligence and a love of booze.
I will miss you greatly.
Sara.xx
Chris was a unique and wonderful man. The first time we met, I interviewed him for the role of Planning Director of a struggling DDB. He declined though within a year we were working together anyway in the newly-merged BMPDDB. Chris was first and foremost an honourable and decent man. What most impressed me was his passion. For BMP, for the people and for the work. Passion, curiosity and honesty. Chris you will be missed.
Trying hard to think of something to write and as “just a secretary” back in the day I’m trying even harder not to make a typo. Late nights, fags, presentations, wine, Chris was clearly an amazing man and I was lucky enough to see him again quite recently and was reminded of just how much of a gentleman he was, I was certain he wouldn’t even remember my name but Ross Barr and Cowpie made me feel like an old friend- honoured to have known him. BMP – what a place, what a man to represent it in the best days. Where else could you be pissed at your desk (me not him) and still win the pitch. Hats off. Deepest sympathy to his family x
Chris was my first planning mentor who taught me how to moderate group discussions. He put up with my ill informed observations on the likes of flavoured instant mash potato and St Ivel Gold. I was clearly an intellectual lightweight but he was always encouraging and helped make BMP a place where you wanted to spend a lot of time – be it working or drinking. i wish there more like Chris around today
Ace planner, generous teacher, lovely bloke. I’ll always remember you in your office, the sun behind you dipping under the West Way, sleeves rolled up, inspiring us weary pitchers with the feeling that some time this evening (probably early tomorrow morning) we’ll crack this thing. And then (of course) cracking it yourself. And then generously giving us the credit. We who were pulled along by your slipstream will miss you loads.
There’ll be no chip-pan fires in heaven.
Sweet man
A gentleman
Twinkley eyes
Cheeky grin
Modest
so clever
and kind
in those BMP days
nothing will have changed
what a loss
and will be so missed
Love and deepest sympathies to his nearest and dearest
Joyce Rennie
Cowpie.
You will forever be cut-glass, solid gold, thoroughbred BMP royalty.
It was an utter privilege to have worked with you – completely unforgettable.
You had the energy of ten men and the brain power to match.
Thinking of you lovely Jane x
Reading these entries, it occurs to me that the way Chris made me feel (as a baby, baby account person) – as though I mattered, was special, had a contribution to make and belonged with him, with John Webster, with BMP gods in general, is in fact the way he made everyone feel.
How extraordinary. How did he find the time, the humanity, the curiosity, the compassion? Dunno. But he did. I was his milk pitch account director, and his Rowntree account manager, and I still have a couple of napkin drawings of strategies I should have learned.
Lovely man. Lovely.
Chris had such a “joie de vivre”. So many happy memories he will have left behind which in time will hopefully help fill the great gap of this very sad loss. Jane – sending you all my strength, love and a huge hug. Annemieke xx
Pitching with Chris was in equal measure frustrating and fabulous.
If ever there was a man to give energy to a flagging room – often as not fuelled by Chablis & Pizza – it was Cowpey.
However, just when you thought you’d got all your ducks in a row, there was no-one better at pointing out that you hadn’t.
Your ducks, it turned out, were all over the place.
And they weren’t even ducks.
Getting it right was all that mattered – no matter that it was past midnight and a whole new animatic would need shooting before the morning.
He loved cleverness, he loved smartness – and he loved winning.
And we loved – and now miss – him.
XXX
I introduced my mum to Chris once. She’d come up to London and sit in the old-style BMP reception watching the buzz. Thereafter Chris always spoke to her, always gave her the time of day. ‘What a nice young man’ she’d say. She was right.
Those things count, people count, Chris made people count, I felt counted.
My thoughts are with Jane and his family.
Thank you Chris. Good fun, good intentions, good values, good ideas and good to be around. Honoured to have known you mate. Rest in peace.
Chris was kind, funny, inspiring, clever, and importantly decent in equal measure. In a world with a tendency for ego he had none, although given his talents he would have been forgiven if he had. He was such an important influence on the benign but brilliant culture that was bmp , one that allowed us all to flourish in our different ways.
Like everyone else’s , my memories are dominated by images of the glass room late at night , the trusty corkscrew and ashtray , the meeting room table covered with the charts spread out from end to end checking that the logic was absolutely as tight as it could be , the belief being that it could always be better. The permanent fog of cigarette smoke never hiding the sharpness of his brain, his laughter, and the restlessness and energy that put all of us younger than him to shame . Those were happy days.
Much love to Jane and family
Anna
Dear Chris
I worked with you for many years at BMP, where you fought for our little start up on the 4th floor and helped us grow it over seven of the glorious go go years into quite a respectable company with our ridculous proposition about being experts in the corporate and financial world. Every time we won something like Cable and Wireless and Mercury we used to add ‘Telecommunications’ to our list of expertise! How we laughed, and pitched and laughed. And yes, there was much Chablis. We would struggle trying to crack or pindown a problem and you would come in looking a complete shambles, hair akimbo and not immaculately shaven and whack! You would remove all the mish mash and tell us what the idea was we were trying to have. And then, lunch, of course.
Since then we have remained in touch with your last (and quite positive) email to me only a few weeks ago when we had planned to meet once your immune system had recovered.
There are many things, but you were also kind. My son, now a facebook executive, remembers coming to Wimbledon to cheer himself at your invitation up before going into hospital to have big knee operation. Absolutely no reason for you to ask him other than you thought it would be a fillip for him.
I will miss you bounding up at Martin’s summer parties by the river, glass in one hand, fag in the other, radiating.
I think you would say something like, “…well this may not be fair, but it is where we are, and there are an awful lot of great people who are dead. Look at Webster!”
I will think of you a lot and God bless you.
ANDREW
A bit of hero at school. Then at Oxford. And then at BMP.
Trailed in your wake a lot of my life and learned so much from you. About advertising and how to do things right. And the value of a good glass of Chablis in life. Or two.
Dear family friend and godfather to Archie.
Goodbye, Mon Brave.
And thank you.
Always true to himself, he was a gent and someone who held his learning and brains very lightly. So sad that such a good soul is gone.
I have half a lifetime of memories of Chris everyone of them good and still enriching after all these years.
Two particular memories perhaps worth sharing, one I am sure experienced by many others, and one not.
Working deep into the 11th hour of a pitch eve . Chris suffering the worst possible bout of neuralgia and running a temperature kept himself awake, thinking and making the telling contribution by chewing on ice , sitting at at an open window . It was January and the wind howled down Bishopsbridge Road.
Chris , especially in his pomp, was a very good looking boy. We were on a First Class Quantas flight to Oz. Chris , totally oblivious of the effect he was having on the Matinee Idol stewards, mistook their continuous attention for standard Quantas customer care. In the wee small hours of the night I got little sleep with the constant
offers of ‘bevies’ and attempts to tuck him in.
On the same trip I got Chris to model some earrings I was thinking of buying for Jean. It was in a jewellers run by a couple of ‘ lads’.The phonetic confusion between g’day and gay and our request for “a good place to eat ?” led to one of the most memorably confusing nights of my working life.
Chris so often made the telling contribution and he was a big part of making the whole BMP trip so memorable.
Love from Jean and I
Very sad news. A rare mind and human being that I can only feel privileged to have known and sad that the world no longer has. Sincerest condolences to Jane and family.
He was an inspiration. What a gentleman and I feel very privileged to have known and worked with him. Such a lovely man and so sad he is not with us. Deepest sympathy to Jane and family
I was so sad to hear this news. I really liked him, everybody did. Cowpie. A name that made everyone smile. He played a huge part in all our young lives at BMP. Inspiring us, enthusing us. Setting the tone for a place that was about sharp thinking over sharp suits., warmth and wit over sleek and sly. He was the closest thing to having your dad in the office around the corner, wise,reassuring, encouraging, and sometimes a bit cross. He always made you feel part of his gang and what a great gang it was! Cowpie, you will be missed by many.
I am so sorry Jane. Thinking about you and your family today.
I will always remember his melodious voice and can hear it in my head now although I have not have seen Chris in over 10 years.
Such a charming, elegant man ….. and wickedly funny. He once interviewed me when I was a very young account executive. I was scared stiff but he was so kind and warm. We ended up having a marvellous chat.
My deepest sympathies to Jane and the family.
I was in a grump. About to take my family of seven to the south of France when I found out that my people carrier was two inches too tall to fit on the train. Chris took a drag on his fag through the ever-present grin, which broadened, into a chuckle. Personally I couldn’t see the funny side. But Chris did. Still smiling, he tossed me a bunch of car keys. ‘There you go. Take my Mercedes.’ It was a massive station wagon. Perfect.
That wasn’t the end of his generosity. I managed to get a double blow out on road south of Avignon and seriously dented the rear end. When we got home I dreaded having to explain. I handed back the keys. Chris was still smiling. No explanation necessary.
Perfect gentleman, colleague, and friend.
God bless.
Over the years many people have asked me what BMP was like, and what made it so special.
Anybody who had met Chris knew the answer.
Without wishing to minimise the enormous contributions of so many other exceptionally talented people, I believe that Chris embodied the DNA of the Agency like no other.
Bright and tenacious, always seeking the best original solution, aware that in such a competitive industry agencies are fundamentally a people business, he made himself available to give advice,encouragement, assistance and direction when needed, and therefore not surprisingly became mentor and friend to so many.
I was fortunate to have worked closely with Chris on numerous pitches and Clients, and you can be sure that when ever anything good resulted it was largely down to him.
He taught me more than I was able to learn, and it was both a pleasure and a privilege to have been the “monkey” to the master “organ-grinder”.
It is so sad that Chris has gone because it was such a joy to have known the man. His energy, his wit, his obduracy, his wine glass, his cheeky smile, his thinking but most of all, his company are things that will leave a lasting glow in the hearts of so many people and a Cowpe-shaped hole in the world.
All that is good about a life spent in advertising was rolled up inside that one crazy fellow.
I will raise one last glass to his legacy and remember him with warmth, fondness and just a little bit of anxiety that he would have told me to make this memoriam much better.
What an education it was to have worked with Chris so early in my career at BMP and then what an honour to be able to call him a friend for so many years afterwards.
He was always the best listener, always seeming interested in what I had to say, or what I was doing. Despite his brilliant intellect always somehow managing to avoid making others feel inferior. Far from it, always looking for ways to support other people or underpin their self confidence and bring the best out of the team.
Restless, challenging, high energy, never accepting that good is good enough, but simultaneously so generous and so kind.
All my love to Jane and the family
Nick
x
What a sad loss, my heart goes out to you Jane.
Chris had so many qualities, so eloquently described by others above and working with him at BMP was both a pleasure and a privilege. On the few occasions I was involved with him on a brief, I learnt so much. His insights were razor sharp, I couldn’t come close, yet he made me feel my meagre contributions were genuinely important, he was a generous man in many ways. His passion and commitment were as infectious as his humour.
Such a bright, lovely guy, we’ll all miss you Chris.
Though I only met Chris a few times I was always enjoyed his wise words, his incisive insights and his sharp humour – particularly when he was giving Andy a hard time.
BMP was the best agency in the history of advertising, ever. And one of the reasons was Cowpey.
Just look at the roll-call of world-class planners, suits, art directors, copywriters, film directors who have written notes above.
Could anyone else have inspired such a disparate bunch to weep for his passing? Could anyone else have got
David Batterbee to emerge from the past to pay his respects?
I have a large glass of chablis here as I write. Cheers, Chris.
Dear Cowpie,
I expect you are looking down at us all now, critiquing the thoughts and ideas we are producing.
You taught me to ask two questions….when everyone else thinks the work is done: Is this idea/solution/plan honed to perfection – is it the best we can do? Is there a solution/idea/plan we have overlooked, is there something else we can do which is even better?
Infuriating, exasperating yes. Doggedly determined in pursuit of and resulting in excellence yes. You were an amazing teacher, a true gentleman and a brilliant brilliant adman.
I hope they have some really knotty problems to solve and good supply of the bon vin up there.
With much love and affection,
Angela
Dear Jane,
Sending you love and hugs from Chicago. Axxxx
Boundless energy, intellect, charm and style. Chris was an exceptional and unforgettable man.
Very sad for Jane and the family. Sending love.
Rest in peace, Chris.
Steve – x
Chris was a perfect boss, colleague and friend ; he did terrify me sometimes because he was so penetrating and thorough and utterly conscientious, but he was such a good laugh too and a fabulous drinking companion, and, by the way, devoid of any snobbery at all, a good kind, generous bloke who will be sorely missed by many. I worked for him and with him for 22 years and he taught me how to do it and made it great fun. Mark
1978. I’d got through the interview with Ross and Chris, and was all set for the final hurdle; Lunch With Stanley. So Chris says, “You’ve got the job if you just remember that the second bottle of Chablis is all for Stanley.” First piece of excellent advice Chris gave me. I got the job. Stanley got drunk. I got to learn loads from Chris. It was all good.
I’ve sat next to many advertising people and learned how brilliant they are.
Whenever I sat next to Chris, I learned how much better I could be.
A more giving, gifted and human bloke you could not meet. Thank the gods for Mr Cowpe.
14 years together at BMP and yet I never actually worked with Chris. So I got to know him not so much as a colleague but as a human being – a really exceptional one. He always dropped by my office (well, it was opposite Webster’s) and dispensed intelligence, kindness and wit. In fact, the last time I saw him, I was complaining that not only were policemen looking younger, but so too were prime ministers, chancellors and leaders of the opposition, “Burkey”, he grinned, “You don’t have to worry until popes start looking younger”. And that, in a nutshell, is why I liked him so much. He’ll be hugely missed.
I have only spent a couple of weeks in Chris’ company onboard racing yachts – a week in Tobago and a week in Fowey – and yet I felt Chris was a lifelong friend.
Reading all these postings about the man, I guess that is a measure of who and what he was – Chris was one of life’s true gentlemen, bringing charm, sophistication, wit and intelligence into whatever situation he happened to land in (and that was no mean feat with some of the reprobate crew onboard!!!!). By his own admission, he was not the greatest sailor, but he brought so much else onboard that I would have signed him up onto any of the crews I was ever involved in – spinnaker packing will never be the same again.
A giant personality – I am honoured to have met Chris and to have shared so much laughter with him – the world will be worse off for his passing.
Rest in peace fella – I just hope the big man has his wine cellars/chillers stocked with Chablis.
Kenny
I am extremely sad to hear that Chris passed away . He definitely made BMP an amazing, stimulating and fun place to be. I remember him dearly. He was very intimidating to a young Italian trainee like me! Yet he was always kind, encouraging and his door was always open to answer questions, doubts….and to go and get a drink! He was wild and rigorous at the same time….un vero Signore.
All my thoughts go to Jane, his children and the rest of the family.
Alessandra Violet Vianello
So very sad to hear the that Chris has passed away. Our paths crossed only in the corridor, he was usually in a rush but there was always time for
a cheery hello or brief chat. An enormously likeable bloke.
My sympathies to Jane.
Chris was smart, funny, generous, kind – The list of adjectives is long, but they are all, only positive.
If one didn’t see Chris for several months, or in my case sometimes several years, seeing him again felt as if you had just been together yesterday. Because that’s the way he was and spending time with Chris was always great, always felt like time very well spent.
Chris was a very special person and the world is a little emptier without him in it; and sadder.
Barrie.