Gruff, brilliant, funny: industry remembers retail pioneer David Mattingly
One of the few true legends of Australian advertising, David Mattingly, who changed the way retailers spoke to consumers, has died.
Mattingly passed away yesterday leaving a global legacy due to his vision that retailers could connect with consumers as brands, transforming the industry and building some of Australia’s most influential retail brands.
The adman, who began his career in TV at GTV 9 in Melbourne luring brands to the nascient world of TV with shows such as Graham Kennedy’s In Melbourne Tonight, was honoured with the Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day this year for his contributions to the industry.
After Nine he joined ad agency Monahan Dayman Adams where he set up a retail specialist division, Mattingly MDA, convincing Myer to take its advertising account out of house for the very first time – creating a revolution in the industry.
Without doubt the most fun, the biggest laughs, the most learning, in 30 years in the business was the 3 years I worked with this outrageous genius. Mattingly stories will be told for many years to come, and some of them will be true.
Working out of MDA Sydney in the 80s, on a non-retail account, I didn’t have the day-to-day exposure to David M’s magic but you couldn’t help but be aware of his presence when he visited our Sydney office. I’m sure he said it more succinctly but I’ve never forgotten a truism he expressed: In retail, you have a measure of your success at the end of every day – it’s called the cash register.
Legend is a much misused title but David Mattingly was – and will continue to be – a legend.
Have had the enjoyment of knowing and working with DM right up until a few weeks ago. Until the cancer took hold he was all still all the things Neil & Gawen said, innovative, great fun and I think RFG quote really encapsulates for me one of the key reasons he was so successful in business. He’d harrie me if I was late in updating him, always with an economic, but vicural accuracy.
Generous with his experience, advice and impressive network I will miss him .
Gawen let me know as I was gliding across the French countryside looking at the beautiful and calming landscape, I hoped that DM would, whatever his faith find that now….but after reading the above and knowing him it would probably drive him
crazy… God bless him.
One of life’s great characters! He built a remarkable business and was still sharp as a tack the last time I saw him.
He was tough to work for but respected people that stood their ground – and wasn’t afraid to give credit when it was due. I enjoyed working for David and learnt so much.
Go well big guy!
Never did get to run his best in his opinion campaign for Myer …Myer uncrates the sun. Without question the best boss I ever worked with bar none.
I worked for David Mattingly in the 1980s, Richmond, when he won the Myers Account. I had just completed a graphic art course and was employed as a layout artist. The studio director at the time, discovered that I could photo retouch and I got stuck in that job for months. I approached the art director, creative director etc to complain but finally, getting nowhere I decided to resign. I made an appointment with David to personally hand him my resignation. He asked me why I was resigning and after I explained that I was doing a job that was not part of my contract he asked me what I wanted to do. I explained that I had just finished the graphics course and wanted to do what I had been trained to do. I also explained that he could save the company a lot of money by bring the finished art in house instead of sending it out to All Graphics. He said, “What do you need to do this?” I told him what equipment would be required and his reaction was, “Well do it then!” The equipment was purchased and that was the beginning of the Finnished Art department st MDA Mattingly. He listened to my grievance, and gave me opportunity. He was the best boss I ever had. He was an innovative, caring, considerate, humorous and family oriented man, even allowing parents to bring their children into the workplace after school. I will alwys rember him warmly and with the greatest respect.