Joe Talcott’s tribute to Gavin Larkin

Joe Talcott pays tribute to former competitor and collaborator Gavin Larkin

Perhaps we were destined to meet. Eight years ago I was working for McDonald’s in Chicago. On the other side of the country a talented and dynamic young Australian was making an impact for Taco Bell. We were competitors and yet unaware of each other. Two years later I returned to Australia and so did he.

I joined News Limited and found one of our brands having trouble and the agency struggling to find a solution. My old competitor, Gavin Larkin, now working for that agency, came to see me.  He was immediately impressive; intelligent, honest and confident. He listened. Really listened. But he wasn’t afraid to express an opinion, even when he knew you might not agree. He took his job seriously but didn’t take himself too seriously. Our first meeting was relatively short, but I knew that this man was special.

Gavin larkin