Al, from Dan K
Created by Dan 3 years agoI met Al in 2006 when I joined MJ Media as a graduate. Since then, Al’s been a mentor, colleague, role-model and friend and the hole he leaves is irreplaceable. We’ve been through so much together, both professional and personal and having learned so much from Al, he leaves me with such wonderful memories of our time together.
In 2006, Al was working for Total Media, a partner agency to MJ Media, so he started out as a mentor and teacher. As I found my feet in the industry, Al introduced me to his world of TV, and it makes me chuckle when I think back to how patient he was with my inane questions.
During those early years, I loved working with Al so when I found out he was joining MJ, I was over the moon – I knew we could do something special with him on board. And we did.
From that moment, our lives were intertwined, sharing not just work but all sorts of personal milestones too. From pitches to interviewing, marriages to kids, Al was just there, like an older brother, offering all kinds of support and advice to me. I knew that if I needed a chat – a cuppa or a beer – Al would be there. Sometimes he could see I needed a chat before I did… he was so good at reading me and such a great listener - a skill that I’ve always admired.
Al is one of the hardest-working, kindest and personable people I’ve ever met. The standards he set at work were impeccable, but at the same time, he was always thinking about others and in so many of our discussions, Al would be prioritising the well-being of those around him before himself.
He loved his family so much and would always be sharing stories about Kate & Felix or his trips up North to see family. It was an honour to integrate our own family stories, whether it was Al attending my stag do (we dragged him to Dalston on one leg), me being invited to DJ at Al and Kate’s wedding party, or our clans holidaying together at Center Parcs.
Over the last year, Al’s always stayed so positive. We tried to speak regularly, and even when he must have been feeling his worst, he would always take time to ask about me, Jo & the kids and how we were all doing during Lockdown – always trying to make me feel better about things. He never turned down a call.
I’m just thankful I sent him one final message, just to let him know how much we were all missing him at a work get-together (coincidentally my leaving drinks). It just wasn’t the same without him there and a bitter-sweet evening for that reason.
Good times, hard times, fun times, difficult times… Wonderful, wonderful memories that will stay with me forever and make me ever-more appreciative of that precious time we had together. Our general approach to life, our personalities and our philosophies all just seemed to dovetail (a Colourworks personality-test would tell us so, ha!), and I think our lives were richer as a result - I know mine certainly was.
Thank you Al, for everything. I owe you so much and I will miss you (and your wonderful collection of checkered work-shirts).
In 2006, Al was working for Total Media, a partner agency to MJ Media, so he started out as a mentor and teacher. As I found my feet in the industry, Al introduced me to his world of TV, and it makes me chuckle when I think back to how patient he was with my inane questions.
During those early years, I loved working with Al so when I found out he was joining MJ, I was over the moon – I knew we could do something special with him on board. And we did.
From that moment, our lives were intertwined, sharing not just work but all sorts of personal milestones too. From pitches to interviewing, marriages to kids, Al was just there, like an older brother, offering all kinds of support and advice to me. I knew that if I needed a chat – a cuppa or a beer – Al would be there. Sometimes he could see I needed a chat before I did… he was so good at reading me and such a great listener - a skill that I’ve always admired.
Al is one of the hardest-working, kindest and personable people I’ve ever met. The standards he set at work were impeccable, but at the same time, he was always thinking about others and in so many of our discussions, Al would be prioritising the well-being of those around him before himself.
He loved his family so much and would always be sharing stories about Kate & Felix or his trips up North to see family. It was an honour to integrate our own family stories, whether it was Al attending my stag do (we dragged him to Dalston on one leg), me being invited to DJ at Al and Kate’s wedding party, or our clans holidaying together at Center Parcs.
Over the last year, Al’s always stayed so positive. We tried to speak regularly, and even when he must have been feeling his worst, he would always take time to ask about me, Jo & the kids and how we were all doing during Lockdown – always trying to make me feel better about things. He never turned down a call.
I’m just thankful I sent him one final message, just to let him know how much we were all missing him at a work get-together (coincidentally my leaving drinks). It just wasn’t the same without him there and a bitter-sweet evening for that reason.
Good times, hard times, fun times, difficult times… Wonderful, wonderful memories that will stay with me forever and make me ever-more appreciative of that precious time we had together. Our general approach to life, our personalities and our philosophies all just seemed to dovetail (a Colourworks personality-test would tell us so, ha!), and I think our lives were richer as a result - I know mine certainly was.
Thank you Al, for everything. I owe you so much and I will miss you (and your wonderful collection of checkered work-shirts).
Pictures
Dan & Al
