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Lynne Joanne Franks[1] OBE (born 16 April 1948) is a communications strategist and writer. She founded a public relations consultancy in the early 1970s.
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Lynne Franks | |
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Franks in 2007 | |
| Born | 16 April 1948 London, England |
| Known for | Founded Lynne Franks PR, Campaigner for women's issues |
| Relatives | Josh Howie (son), Jessica Howie (daughter) |
Franks was born and raised in North London in 1948. The daughter of a Jewish butcher, Franks attended Minchenden Grammar School in Southgate,[2] leaving at the age of 16. She completed a shorthand typing course at Pitman's College and was a regular dancer on the popular music TV programme Ready Steady Go![3] Franks initially worked in various secretarial jobs before taking a journalistic role at Petticoat, working under Eve Pollard and alongside Janet Street-Porter.[4] Whilst assigned to write and edit the Freemans in-house publications, she met Paul Howie, an Australian fashion buyer and designer, whom she later married.[5]
Following a brief period as a PR assistant, at the encouragement of the fashion designer Katharine Hamnett, Franks started her own PR agency at the age of 21. Her first clients included Hamnett's own fashion business, Tuttabankem,[6] and Wendy Dagworthy.[7] Working initially from her home, the new agency then moved to the Covent Garden area of London.[8] The agency subsequently worked with high street brands including Harvey Nichols and Tommy Hilfiger,[9][10] and represented individuals such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Annie Lennox, Lenny Henry and Ruby Wax.[2][11] Franks PR also worked briefly with the Labour Party in 1986.[12]
In 1984 Franks used her relationship with the Murjani Corporation (owners of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans) to persuade them to sponsor a large fashion tent outside the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington.[13] This helped to grow the then fledgling London Fashion Week.[14][15]
In October 1993, she stepped down as chairperson[16][17][18] to concentrate on broadcasting.[19]
It has been claimed[20] that the character Edina Monsoon in the British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, created by Jennifer Saunders, a former client of Franks, was intended to be a satirised version of Franks during this period.[21][22] The claim has been denied by both Franks and Saunders.[23][24]
In July 1995, Franks chaired a consortium[25] that launched Viva! 963, Britain's first radio station for women, with Franks herself hosting a twice-weekly interview show entitled Frankly Speaking.[26]
In 1997, Franks published her autobiography, Absolutely Now!: A Futurist's Journey to Her Inner Truth,[27] describing Franks' emotional and spiritual journey since leaving the world of PR, including her spiritual experiences at locations such as the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland and the Esalen Institute in California and her ideas on feminism, environmental issues and ethical business practices.
Following the book's publication, Franks moved to California, and formed GlobalFusion, a cause-related marketing agency, working to promote environmentally-friendly fashion and cosmetic brands[28] and helping to launch The Big Issue in Los Angeles.[29]
In July 2011, Franks was awarded an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University in recognition of her career achievements in business and the media.[30]
Whilst in California, Franks developed the idea of SEED, an acronym for Sustainable Enterprise and Empowerment Dynamics, the principles for which she described in her book published in 2000, The SEED Handbook: The Feminine Way to Create Business.[31][32] Franks later published Grow: The Modern Woman's Handbook[33] and Bloom: A Woman's Journal for Inspired Living.[34]
In collaboration with Tribal Education, Franks developed the SEED Women into Enterprise Programme, a blended learning course for self-employment. Aimed particularly at women from disadvantaged communities around the UK,[35] the programme has been delivered through local government agencies, training companies and charities.[36][37][38] In 2009, she launched the SEED Community Site, a social networking website to connect women entrepreneurs around the world.[39]
She was a member of the advisory board for McDonald's in the UK, helping to initiate their Women's Leadership Development Programme[40] and worked with Regus to create and develop the B.Hive network of women's business clubs.[41][42]
Franks was the chair[43] of V-Day UK, a charity created by Eve Ensler, that campaigns to end violence against women and girls. In March 2009, she organised a Women of Influence Lunch at the House of Lords, to draw attention to the campaign.[44]
The following November, Franks organised the Great Congo Demonstration at the Royal Albert Hall calling for an end to the systemic sexual violence against women in the region.[45]
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