‘His legacy will be felt by so many’: Vale Luke Dunkerley
The advertising industry is mourning the loss of marketer and former creative Luke Dunkerley, who died on Friday.
Dunkerley began his career as a copywriter at Leo Burnett. By 2002, he was managing director of M+C Saatchi Retail, heading up the Woolworths account, before moving to The Campaign Palace as managing director, then STW Communications.
In 2007, he went clientside, moving to Woolworths Supermarkets as its general manager of marketing. He spent a decade with the Woolworths group, having moved to a general manager role in corporate marketing in 2012.
He has also spent the past decade on the board of Pankind, an Australian charity exclusively dedicated to pancreatic cancer. Last year, he was diagnosed with that very disease.
Luke Dunkerley
Tributes have been flowing in for the industry leader, including from Pankind.
“We are heartbroken to share the devastating news that our dear friend and colleague, Luke Dunkerley, passed away last Friday,” the statement reads.
“Luke has been a deeply valued and instrumental part of Pankind from the very beginning, first as a passionate supporter of his friend and colleague, Avner Nahmani, and then as a long-standing board member. His commitment to improving outcomes for people impacted by pancreatic cancer has been unwavering.
“Over many years, Luke played a pivotal role in raising national awareness and driving political support for greater research and funding, creating campaigns such as ‘The Cancer of Our Generation’ and ‘Put Your Foot Down’ walks. His voice and advocacy brought visibility to one of the most intractable health challenges in Australia, and his legacy will be felt by so many in the years to come.
“Tragically, in 2024, Luke was diagnosed with the very disease he had worked tirelessly to raise awareness of and change outcomes for. We are grateful for everything Luke has done, for Pankind, for people impacted by pancreatic cancer, and for our broader mission. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Hulsbosch director Jaid Hulsbosch, who Dunkerley worked closely with when rebranding Woolworths, said he was deeply saddened by this loss.
“Condolences to Roula and family. We had a family get-together only a couple of months ago,” he wrote on Linkedin.
“For over 10yrs we worked together and created something really special. But more than that, he was a friend, a mentor and just a fantastic person, husband, father. Miss you mate.”
Former Mumbrella journalist Simon Canning described the news as “heartbreaking”.
“Luke was the friendliest, happiest person I ever dealt with as a journalist. He was a contact, a confidant. He energised brands. Unlike some I worked with, he never sought to undermine others,” he wrote on Linkedin.
“The timbre of his voice reverberates with me now. I will ever be honoured to have enjoyed his acquaintance. Vale Luke.”
A number of other industry peers remembered Dunkerley for his generosity, mentorship, and passion.
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the agency beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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