The late Harold Mitchell, the father of media agencies and a high-profile philanthropist, is to be inducted into the Media Federation of Australia (MFA) Hall of Fam.
The tribute to Harold Mitchell’s achievement will be made at the 25th MFA Awards, Thursday, September 19.
Mitchell died earlier this year, aged 81.
His influence in the industry stretches as far back as 1976 when he founded Mitchell & Partners in Melbourne, growing it into Australia’s largest media agency before selling to Aegis for $363 million in 2010.
At the height of his career in 2006, Mitchell & Partners had more than 700 clients and operated across areas such as stadium advertising, brand and direct marketing and corporate social responsibility, in addition to media buying and strategy.
He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2010 for his leadership and philanthropy in the arts, health, education and humanitarian support for Timor-Leste and Indigenous communities, and was a national finalist for Australian of the Year in 2013.
“Harold Mitchell’s legacy in the media buying industry in Australia is universally recognised, and he will rightfully be honoured in the MFA Hall of Fame,” MFA CEO Sophie Madden said.
“A staunch advocate for media agencies’ ability to influence positive change, he had a profound impact on the industry and many people working in it today.
"I have fond memories of working for Mitchells in the very early days of my career and I’m grateful for everything I learned there. Harold was passionate about promoting the value of our industry to the economy and the broader community, and will be remembered as a true pioneer.”
Havas Media Group CEO Virginia Hyland said she was inspired by Harold to start her own agency, HYLAND, which she launched in 2005.
“Harold was always willing to share advice about how to do better in the industry,” Hyland said.
“Without Harold, many independent agencies would not be thriving today as he paved the way forward for many of us to follow.”
For Mark Coad, CEO of IPG Mediabrands, Harold Mitchell is unsurpassed in his impact on the industry.
“There is nobody in this country who will leave a bigger impression on the media industry than Harold,” Coad said.
“A pioneer and a feared competitor who commanded respect. The vision he had and the business he built still shapes the industry today.”
The MFA Hall of Fame was introduced in 2012 to celebrate the passionate individuals who have shaped the media agency industry:
John Sintras, 2012
John “Steady” Steedman, 2013
John Grono, 2014
Henry Tajer, 2015
Anne Parsons, 2016
Charles Parry-Okeden, 2017
Anthony Fitzgerald, 2019
Greg “Sparrow” Graham, 2022
Belinda Rowe, 2023
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