PASSAGE: JOHN FOSS
By Adnews Staff
The Canadian advertising industry is mourning the loss of John Foss. Foss died February 28 from complications arising from pneumonia. Foss had devoted virtually all his professional life to advertising in Canada. He served as chair of the Association of Canadian Advertisers in 1973 and 1974 and following that served as president and CEO for 14 years (1979-1993). He also contributed to industry organizations such as the World Federation of Advertisers, the Canadian Advertising Foundation, known today as Advertising Standards Canada and the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Foss is cited by colleagues for fighting legislation that would have restricted what advertisers could do in creating ads. The proposed rules included restrictions on look-alike substitutions for food products. In 1996, Foss' achievements in the advertising industry were recognized when he received the ACA Gold Medal Award. Foss contracted pneumonia while on vacation in Ecuador. He was 74 years old.