“When I travel… it’s the differences in how people approach things that really inspire me …” A Travel Chat with an Advertising Man

Traveler Interview: John Q. Harrington

Seeing the different ways people go about their lives around the world inspires ad man John Q. Harrington

During his 20-plus years in advertising, John Q. Harrington (better known as “Q”) has been a writer and creative director for Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy & Mather and affiliate agencies of Young & Rubicam and DDB.

Q has won hundreds of awards including Best of Show at the National ADDY’s for his work on Kodak, DuPont, Remington, Champion Sportswear, Pillsbury, McCormick Spices, French’s Mustard, Bryant Foods, Sprint, Bausch & Lomb Sports Optics, the Southern Company energy group and the Atlanta Olympic Committee.

John Q is the president & founder of Blackbox Advertising headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Besides creating his next award-winning campaign, “Q” likes to travel. Whether attending a Spanish immersion school in Mexico or exploring the Boundary Waters on the North Shore of Lake Superior, Q thinks travel is essential to nurturing the creative spirit.

We wanted to learn more about Q’s creativity-enhancing travels.

The Jones: What inspires you to travel?

John Q: I love seeing all the different, quirky ways that people go about living their everyday lives.

I think the homogenization of America and the World is a real tragedy. When I travel, I don’t want to see a shopping center that’s exactly like the one I go to.

It’s the differences in how people approach things that really inspire me and sometimes make me rethink how I do things myself.

"Q" and his kids Shannon and Chris at Venice Beach, California.

Have you always enjoyed travel? What contributed to your love of travel?

John Q: I first got the travel bug when I was five years old and my family drove to Florida to see my oldest brother get married. I saw the ocean for the first time and fell in love immediately!

People who never travel are the same people who are most convinced that their lifestyle and their part of the world is the ONLY way to go. The more I travel, the more I marvel at all the wonderful people and places that are waiting to be experienced.

What is your favorite destination? Why?

John Q: Overall, my favorite place I’ve been is Italy. The people there truly know how to live well.

They may not always have the most money, but they live each day to the fullest.

I’d like to be more like them! That plus the scenery is breath taking and the food is

Mindbendingly GREAT!

On a repeat basis though, I really love Isla Mujeres which is a little island offshore from Cancun.

You can see Cancun from there, but it’s a million miles away in terms of its vibe and attitude.

I love it!

What destination has surprised you the most, either good or bad?

John Q: Probably La Paz Mexico. I lived there for a couple of weeks doing an immersion Spanish class.

It’s really not very Americanized but it IS a tourist town. It was interesting to see what kinds of things Mexican tourists liked to do. LOTS of dance clubs and bars on the Malecon/waterfront.

That, plus I learned that in La Paz, Stop Signs are merely a mild suggestion of behavior and not

Something you actually have to obey. THAT made for some exciting driving experiences!

Why do you think that travel is important?

John Q: People really do need a broader perspective of the world. If you see that other people live in entirely different ways from you , but it works, then maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to

Condemn people who are different from you. And sometimes seeing how much of the rest of the world is, makes you truly appreciate all the things that we have here.

What “tip” have you learned from your travels that you’d share with others?

John Q: I’ve always enjoyed my trips the most when I didn’t try to live to a tight itinerary.

Things go wrong. The unexpected happens. You can get upset or go with the flow.

The times I’ve gone with the flow, I’ve always ended up getting something really wonderful

From even something that seemed like a bad thing at first.

John Q. and Susan at Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park near Concord, New Hampshire

From your travels, do you have a practice or insight that makes your travel experiences more enjoyable?

John Q: Before I travel somewhere new, I always try to read about the history of the country or place before I go there. Then I have a better appreciation for why things are the way they are once I’m there.

I also try to learn at least a few basic phrases if I’m going to a country where I don’t speak the language. Of course, you’ll be horrible at the language, but you’ll look like you’re trying and give the locals a good laugh.

Thanks, Q. You can follow John Q on

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