Industry associates mourn Clive Goodacre

Clive Goodacre, a well-known figure in printing industry journalism and public relations during some of the industry’s most seismic technology changes, has died aged 71.

Goodacre was originally apprenticed as a compositor with The Dolphin Press in Brighton. He then gained a sponsorship from the International Publishing Corporation to study for a Higher National Diploma in Printing Technology at the London College of Printing.

After graduating he decided to forge his way in the world of journalism and held editorial posts on Printing World, Packaging News and British Printer before taking the helm as group editor at Northwood Publications, the publisher of a number of titles including the highly-regarded Penrose Annual. He went on to found Graphic Repro magazine, a specialist journal serving the pre-press sector and the developing world of electronic publishing.

Goodacre spotted an opportunity to offer industry-literate PR and consultancy services and in 1980 founded Bespoke, which began life producing in-house publications and developed into an international, full-service PR and marketing communications consultancy focused on the graphic arts.

The firm was involved with a number of industry innovators in their formative years including the launch of Indigo at Ipex in 1993.

His brother, Ray Goodacre, said: “Clive was adept at finding creative ways to develop product communication and marketing strategies.

“He was a well-known figure in the international graphic arts world for nearly four decades, renowned for his breadth of knowledge, industry vision and unbounded enthusiasm for all things print. He also had an innate perception of where certain technologies would fit and what their potential would be.”

Goodacre retired from PR and moved to Portugal in 2001, where he set up a garden centre and continued his connection with the industry by contributing to two local magazines. He died at his home on the Algarve on New Year’s Eve.

Bespoke Group managing director Ben Dodson, who worked with the Goodacre brothers before going on to acquire the Surrey-based business, also paid tribute.

“The passing of our founder, Clive Goodacre, marks a very sad day for our business. As the brainchild behind, arguably, the industry’s first graphic arts focused PR and communications agency, Clive set in train a unique service offering that, we’re proud to say, stands to this day,” Dodson said.

“A very smart, incredibly funny and intuitive communications professional, Clive was greatly respected by colleagues and the wider industry alike. Prior to his retirement from the business in 2001, Clive supported companies both large and small, providing a mix of high quality and creative services, that drove their success. As expected, our thoughts remain with his family.”

Goodacre is survived by Jenny, his wife of 48 years, who was also his business partner. He also leaves a daughter Vicky, son Alex and three grandchildren.