User:Blagjono/Jono Francisco

Jono Francisco was born in Hong Kong in 1970 to Filipino jazz musican/composer father Luis Francisco and Australian nurse now remarried Janet Gillson. Moving to Melbourne Australia in the early 70's Jono grew up in St Kilda and then the Northern Suburbs, before moving inner city to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Starting out as a nightlife host Jono became famous for some of the best club nights in Melbourne. In the late 80's at the age of 18 Jono launched Glory at Inflation Nightclub which attracted an alternative fashion crowd mid week. Hosting at clubs such as Bitchin at Wall Street, then promotions managing the Glove Club at Checkpoint Charlie, Jono Francisco soon became synonymous with the Melbourne club scene. A familar face on doors of the most sort after parties and clubs in Melbourne Jono Francisco developed his networks. Hosting and doing door at Biology, one of the first of Future Entertainments Mark James' dance parties. Chasers, Chevron, Commerce Club, Metro Palace, Dream, The Palace and Razor Promotions and many more clubs have benefited from Jono's creative and personal input as a host, door person, promotions manager and entertainment director. Club theme nights such as Pure, Hello, Express, Nasty, Insanity, Maze, Bump, Tasty (famous for the police raid of 1994)& Freakazoid all had Jono Francisco's touch. Jono moved overseas in 1996 and spent time in Hong Kong managing a jazz club Bacchus and produced his first international fashion story with magazine Orient Beauty. Jono then moved to London and worked at the famous Soho House for 6 months. Head hunted to return to Asia by Nicole Garnaut from the 97 Group, Jono opened their first international joint venture Park 97 in Shanghai in 1997. Jono then moved to London and worked in PR for 2 years for Suzanne Martin Associates covering PR and events for clients such as Acupuncture Shoes, The Player Members Club, The Princes Trust, Britt Ekland, Catalina Guirado, Malta Tourism and many more. After trips to New York and Paris back in London, Jono was rocked by the Soho bombing in 1999. A nail bomb packed with mud exploded at the Admiral Duncan and Jono was next door at the new bar named Minty. After styling a shoot with Ireland's Pesi Chart show host at the bar he settled in for some champagne with work colleauges. The bomb went off at around 6PM. Several people were killed and many injured. Jono jumped in to help those injured many losing thier sight and limbs. Comforting those in need till emergency crew arrived, jono was covered in blood and traumatised by the experience. Jono's image appeared on International news reports and in newspapers around the world standing amidst the carnage.

Leaving London after this event for some down time in the South of France Jono soon headed back home to Melbourne Australia. Back home Jono developed his skills as a fashion stylist and publicist and lauched his own business blag PR in 1999. He has worked with top fashion magazines and in the music industry. Styling shoots for top models from all the top model agencies as well as style directing music artists such as Madison Avenue, Anthony Callea, The Androids, L'Otel, Baby Lemonade Lamarr & Daniel Merriweather to name a few. Still an event mangager Jono continued to work in clubs and parties. The Player was relaunched at what was to become the famous one six one club. Jono had yet abother club hit on his hands for over three years at the Prahran venue with many celebrity fans of his club including, Heath Ledger, Naomi Watts, Ben Harper, Sigrid Thornton, Cheyne Coates and Killing Heidi. Other clients of blag PR included fashion designers Bettina Liano, Roy, Joe Black, Jain and other corporate businesses.

Jono is also a prolific jazz and pop vocalist and has sung live gigs at many top venues and parties.

Jono has also been creative director for major dance parties in Melbourne, Red Raw and Winterdaze for the Also Foundation. A tireless charity worker Jono Francisco raised several thousands of dollars for the victims of the Boxing Day Tsunami for Oxfam and also raises money and awareness for People Living With HIV AIDS Victoria (PLWHA VIC). Jono Francisco produced the Midsumma Festival opening night at Federation Square two years running in 2005/2006 with great success.

The Wonderland club was a revist for Jono to his alternative club days with a club night that cultivated the avante garde with great performances for a club of its kind in 2006

Jono continued to direct his own PR company and collaborated with Couture Communications and Events for a year and also works closely with The Sphere Agency where he has had great success with corproate events, publicity stunts and advertising campaigns for a diverse range of clients.

Still adding his touch to parties and launches and club nights Jono Francisco is a fixture on the Melbourne social scene and continues to write, style and party.