Bob Dewar, the tenacious public relations guru who counted some of the most esteemed corporate brands as his clients in his heyday, has died in Nairobi. He was 91.
Bob saw Nairobi grow from a dusty colonial outpost to a vibrant metropolis and was a pioneer public relations practitioner.
He founded Bob Dewar Publicity and was one of the key pillars behind the Concours d’Elegance and Alfa Romeo Owners Club.
Bob spoke slowly and for one with a bushy moustache almost concealing his mouth - his signature look - pronounced words clearly.
The spin doctor, as legions of editors and reporters he coaxed in his cut-glass accent came to learn, was unfailingly gracious in his stodgy suits.
His long list of clients ranged from British Airways, Farmers Choice, Total, Serena Hotels, Lufthansa, BP Shell and Alfa Romeo, for whom he would work to discreetly share out corporate giveaways: umbrellas, T-Shirts, pens and baseball caps at the start of every year.
The handouts, Bob ensured, went to the choice recipients by stealth, so as not to raise eyebrows and cause those not lucky enough to feel disappointed.
It was also to ensure he was not bombarded with requests. He would park his Alfa Romeo on Kimathi Street, get into a lift into the third floor of the Nation Centre and whisper in the ears of a recipient to accompany him to the car.
Alternatively, he would haul his cargo to the reception with the recipient’s names written out in felt pen.
Born to an English army officer who after the Second World War served as a librarian and administrator in the colonial government and an English mother, the former student of Nairobi Primary and the Prince of Wales (present day Nairobi School) fell in love with Kenya and took up citizenship.
His parents retired to Watamu where they were buried while his only brother went back to the UK after independence. In an interview in 2011, he told the Star’s business editor, Francis Openda, that he sat his O’ Level in 1952 and his A’ level in 1954, before proceeding to Oxford University.
Bob studied law at the prestigious institution, even though deep in his heart he knew this was not his calling. He persevered to finish so as not to disappoint his parents who had sacrificed to ensure he got the best education - an Oxford degree they viewed as a passport to a bright future.
But his fascination from childhood had always been motorsports and cars. Growing up in Nairobi, Bob would sneak out of school and hike lifts to Gilgil and Nakuru, then major centres for motor racing in the country - truancy that once earned him a good beating from his father.
On completion of his studies at Oxford, Caltex Oil first employed him as a graduate trainee in 1957. He was later appointed to the administration department where he was immersed in every aspect of the oil business.
When oil giants increased the price to Sh5, this sparked a furore and Caltex tasked Dewar to explain to motorists the reasons behind the increase. That’s how his public relations career started out.
“Upon the break up of the East Africa Community (EAC) Caltex devolved to district offices in Uganda and Tanzania giving birth to Caltex Kenya, Caltex Uganda and Caltex Tanzania,” Bob said in the interview.
The changes saw the Caltex Nairobi office reduced to a coordinating office and he opted to resign. “I put in an application to run PR for Caltex as an individual consultant and in 1970 Bob Dewar Publicity was born,” he said in the interview. Guinness and Car and General were some of his earliest clients.
“Appreciation of PR soon started developing locally and worldwide and among the pioneer local PR firms is Church Orr and Associates,’’ Bob said.
He ran his PR company as a one man show for years and would personally take the pictures, write the pitch and deliver to newsrooms. He soon became a common figure known to reporters and editors. He was also one of those people you would always refer to with both names.
“Small is beautiful” became a watchword of Bob Dewar Publicity. The firm insisted on only one client in an industry to keep off conflicting interests. By handling a strictly limited portfolio, Bob believed the firm provided a strong personal service which gave his clients plenty of time for maintaining good media relations through regular contact with reporters and editors.
Inevitably, the company grew, but Bob’s meticulous knack did not decline. Liz Omondi, who worked for the guru, described him as widely knowledgeable.
“He amazed me by his intelligence and kept up with current affairs. He ensured that he and his team read all the dailies first thing in the morning,” Omondi said.
“He was a man who oozed wisdom whenever he spoke. He was sharp as a tack and confidently responded to questions on subjects ranging from sports, to politics, business and science.”
Even as his PR career grew, his love for cars and motorsports did not wane and while employed at Caltex, Bob acquired his first car on hire purchase - a used MGA two-seater sports for Sh7,000.
The enthusiast soon turned from a spectator to a participant in major motoring events in Nairobi and Nakuru. While managing public relations for Alfa Romeo, he was asked to organise a get-together which assembled owners of the model - then seen as a status symbol - and the idea of an owners club blossomed.
It is the Alfa Romeo owners club, which through annual social and sporting events for its members gave birth to the current annual show of vintage cars and motorbikes, Concours d’Elegance.
A founder member of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, Bob said the Concours was initially an event for club members to celebrate its first anniversary.
The inaugural show took off with ten cars and was held at Nairobi hotel, which was later renamed Spread Eagle and is now the current Safari Park hotel.
“It generated a lot of enthusiasm and soon gained strength and to celebrate the Alfa Romeo Owners Club tenth anniversary in 1980, the event was opened to all makes.”
With increased participation and larger crowds, the committee moved the venue to the Embakasi Motor Rally Circuit where the current Inland Container Depot stands.
“The response was amazing and it was no longer a small event. We had predicted not more than 15 entries but to my surprise and delight we had 25.”
Motor dealers realised the potential the event provided to showcase their new models. The event also attracted motorcyclists and within no time, they had outgrown their Embakasi venue.
As the event grew popular and became a family affair, the organisers introduced additional attractions for women and children.
Bob never married and when not participating in motorsports, engaged in gardening, photography and visiting friends around the country.
Kenya’s PR and motorsports story would not be complete
without a mention of Bob Dewar,
who despite his advanced age, never
retired, but bowed out gracefully.
