SYDNEY: Harold Mitchell, the executive chairman of Mitchell Communication Group, has been crowned the most powerful individual in the advertising, media and marketing industry after taking the top spot in the AdNews Power 50.
Mitchell's surprise decision to sell his company Mitchell Communication Group to Aegis Media in a $363 million deal propels the influential media man to the top of the annual list, which is now in its sixth year.
Mitchell tops the list for the first time, in recognition of his growing power base as he prepares to take responsibility for the combined Aegis Media Pacific business and become a significant shareholder in the London-listed media group.
As the boss of the largest media planning and buying group in Australia, which places more than 10% of all media advertising, Mitchell wields enormous influence that transcends the media industry.
It is the first time a media buyer has topped the list and puts him in good company with previous Power 50 number ones including Kerry Packer, James Packer, Kerry Stokes and John Hartigan.
Long regarded as the country's most influential media planner and buyer, Mitchell can now claim the title of Australia's most powerful player in the media, advertising and marketing industry.
For a full list of the nation's power brokers, see the Power 50 liftout with today's issue of AdNews 13 August 2010.
Watch the AdNews TV interview with Harold Mitchell here.
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