John Sharpe is a quiet, unassuming guy who sometimes describes himself as “just an old ad man.” That modesty belies a career of more than three decades of creative, colorful and highly successful agency work and management. John’s talent is identifying companies that need BOHAN’s special brand of smart marketing counsel. When a match is made, John’s steady hand leads the transition team as the new client and BOHAN become true operating partners.
John heads up the marketing and PR efforts for BOHAN itself, all from the perspective of a long-tenured industry executive. He has had direct experience in many business sectors, and his list of clients is long and impressive. It includes Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, the Grand Ole Opry, the Peabody Hotel Group, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, First American Corporation, Brunswick Outdoor Products, Red Lobster, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, The Greenbrier, Citicorp Diners Club, Clarks of England and Shoney’s. And that’s just a sampling.
Off duty, John can usually be found on his boat, sporting flip-flops and a tropical shirt. Summer or winter, rain or snow. He’s also quick to fire up a charcoal grill or whip up a pot of his award-winning chili when asked by friends (or strangers, for that matter). And never bet Sharpe that he can’t lay his hands on a harmonica within two minutes, because that’s a bet you won’t win. Ask him if he has any Clio awards to his credit, and he might answer: “Three more than Don Draper.” Not that he’s keeping score.