Display print pioneer Jeff Gittus has passed away, leaving much of the print industry in mourning, with tributes pouring in on social media.
Gittus was a visionary, and a leader in the country's display print sector. He established his own signage business in his garage at the tender age of only 20, and five years later founded Active Sites Alive, which become Active Display Print, which grew to be one of the powerhouses of Australian display print, through innovation, investment and a strong customer focus, a position it retains today.
Gittus brought his three brothers David, Stuart and Glenn into the business, all of whom are still involved; David as executive chairman, Stuart as general manager, and Glenn as operations manager. Jeff stepped back from the company when it was bought by advertising giant WPP in 2014. The business never lost its family ethos, everyone who worked for Active over the years was considered part of the family by Jeff.
He also played a wider role in the development of the Australian display print industry, which is today recognised as one of the most advanced in the world, and was a founder member and driver of the establishment of trade association POPAI, which became Shop.
The company paid tribute to its founder, posting, “Jeff, you were loved, admired, and respected like no other in our industry and business. You leave a huge hole in our hearts, but your legacy at Active remains.”
Vale Jeff Gittus 1959-2019