A true Changer, media icon and high-profile philanthropist, Harold Mitchell will be remembered as an industry pioneer and a driving force in the rise of media agencies in Australia.
His posthumous induction into the MFA Hall of Fame this year honours his lasting legacy and outstanding contribution to the industry as one of the early trailblazing leaders who shaped the early days of media agencies in Australia.
Mitchell’s influence in the industry stretches as far back as 1976 when he founded Mitchell & Partners in Melbourne in 1976, 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.
Through his varied involvement in fields outside of media and advertising, Harold 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.”
Mutinex Global Chief Revenue Officer Danny Bass recalls Harold Mitchell as a “titan who defined Australia’s media landscape for many decades”.
“He was a powerhouse of our industry and passionately believed in the power of advertising,” Bass said. “Harold was a fierce competitor, a passionate Australian and a passionate Victorian. I worked with him both on the media side and as a competitor, and once he retired he was very generous with his time with me on a number of occasions.
“Harold Mitchell’s legacy is one that is hard to capture in a few short sentences, but it is one that lives on in those who knew him and the industry he helped shape into a competitive force on the global stage. His passion for the arts and sports and efforts in philanthropy will also be remembered.”
For Mark Coad, CEO of IPG Mediabrands, Harold 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.”
