Legendary Entertainment Publicist Bob Jones Succumbs at Age 72

Sentinel; Los Angeles, Calif. › August 28, 2009

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Summary

Jones joined Motown in 1970 as publicity manager for its International Talent Management Company. He has created and implemented media campaigns for artists such as Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, Rick James, Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Vanity, The Commodores, Bruce Willis and many other top artists. His film and television credits include "Lady Sings the Blues," "Thank God It's Friday," "Mahogany," and the Motown 25th Anniversary special for NBC-TV.

In 1993, as a part of the NAACP's 25th Anniversary Image Awards, he was presented the renowned "Sterling Award" along with [Maggie Hathaway], the founder of the Beverly Hills Chapter of the NAACP. By the end of the year the Los Angeles Sentinel bestowed him with a grand honor by selecting him as one of their, "Sentinel Men of the Year," acknowledging his accomplishments as well as his unselfish efforts, which have been imprinted on the lives of the citizens of the Los Angeles community.

In February 1995, Black Entertainment Television (BET) saluted Jones with a primetime television documentary. The special "[Bob Jones]: Godfather of Hollywood" was hosted by Belma Johnson, Producer and host of Teen Summit. The show covered Jones' 35 years in the entertainment industry. Among those appearing on the special were Mary Wilson, Clarence Avant. Chairman of Motown; Ron Carter, West Coast Publicist Warner Brothers Records; Gene Shelton, Warner Brothers Records; Attorney Johnnie Cochran (dec.), Ramon Hervey. Steven Ivory, Pat Tobin, President of Tobin Associates (dec.), and many others.

Jones' coordination of opening night activities at the Coconut Grove in 1969 for Diana Ross and the Supremes, who were Rogers and Cowan clients for Motown, led to his joining the label as publicity manager Jones' image as a no-nonsense, keeper and protector of the Motown image, earned him a reputation for being one of the industry's top media strategists. Jones served for two years as president of the Black Public Relations Society of Southern California (BPRS), an organization whose primary goal is to increase the presence of Blacks in the field of public relations.

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Extract

Legendary Entertainment Publicist Bob Jones Succumbs at Age 72

Bob Jones, former Vice-Président Communications and Media Relations at MJJ Productions for 16 years and veteran'entertainment publicist, passed away, Sept. 20, at the age of 72. The cause of death is yet to be determined.

Prior to working at MJJ, Jones ...

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