James Packer inducted Harold Mitchell into the Advertising Hall of Fame at last night's AdNews Agency of the Year Awards in front of 650 people.
Speaking in front of a sold out crowd, Packer said, “Whether it was the Murdoch family, the Stokes, or my father and myself, everyone thinks Harold Mitchell is as good as it gets”.
Upon accepting the accolade, Mitchell praised the media and advertising executives in the room, saying, “The people in this room are the best media people in the world”.
Mitchell started in advertising in 1960 as office boy at the Melbourne agency Briggs & James, and in 1976 he went solo to launch his own media buying company, Mitchell & Partners, which he grew into Mitchell Communication Group. He sold the company to Aegis for $363 million in 2010.
Mitchell is executive chairman of Aegis Media Pacific, and sits atop more than 16,000 staff in 80 countries. He turns 70 this year, but there are no thoughts of retirement.
Today's AdNews includes the Advertising Hall of Fame booklet, featuring a profile of Harold Mitchell and a 36-page winners supplement.
AdNews will publish a video this morning featuring speeches from Harold Mitchell and James Packer.
Follow @AdNews on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.
Have something to say? Send us your comments using the form below or contact the write at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.