Significant Seven: Most entertaining individuals
Over the next few days, we are publishing highlights from this year’s Mumbrella Annual.
Barry O’Brien, CEO, PHD
O’Brien is the man that anybody would want to have lunch with. Gregarious and connected, he is one of the survivors of media. If anyone proves that the old school media skill of being a people person is still an asset, then it’s O’Brien. It’s also impossible to find somebody who will say a bad word against him.
Mat Baxter, CEO, UM
As individuals go, Baxter is the one most willing to lob grenades. Whether it’s a question of going into battle on autoplay video or offensive comments made on Twitter by swimmer Stephanie Rice, Baxter is one of the braver and most interesting agency bosses.
Harold Mitchell, Executive Chairman, Aegis Media Pacific
Within minutes of meeting Harold for the first time, it is likely that he will present you with a copy of his book, which he will duly sign for you. Then after softening you up a bit, the tales of his accomplishments, passions and perspectives begin. The inimitable Mitchell is probably the only man in Australia who has never even thought of retiring.
Sean Cummins, director, Cummins Ross
The charismatic, complicated Cummins is one of the most intriguing admen in Australia.
His angry denounciation of anonymous commenters was one of the most talked about sessions of this year’s Mumbrella360 conference.
Esther Clerehan, headhunter
Described by one client as “better connected than Telstra”, the no-bullshit recruiter knows the industry, and just about everyone in it, almost as well she knows her team the Sydney Swans.
Max Markson, Markson Sparks PR
Max is Max. Or Mad Max, as he is now known after his hyperactive performances on Celebrity Apprentice. Unashamedly a publicist, journos know to take everything he tells them with a barrowload of salt. But they still look forward to his calls.
Stuart Gregor, MD, Liquid Ideas PR
Everyone in the industry seems to know the wine loving hack-turned-flack.
And his memorable turn of phrase in public speaking is entertaining too: remember his condemnation of adland’s “backslapping knob jockeys”?
If he invites you for lunch, let him choose the wine.
This list first appeared in the Mumbrella Annual, which is currently on sale priced at $10 for access to the digital edition or $20 for both print and digital access.- Both can be ordered through Realview, via this link
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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Great line up.
Only one lady. Note to self – must be more entertaining.
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interesting how there’s not one client-side bod.
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That’s because they’re too busy to go out to lunch, Archie
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Just as ‘The Protestor’ is Time’s Person of the Year, I believe ‘The Anonymous Comment Poster’ should have been on this list.
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I can’t farkin’ believe that I didn’t make this list either – outrageous…
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Aren’t these people too old to be in advertising? This list needs to be screened by McCannt’s
DB
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B.O.B. deserves to be top of this list.
Nicest man in the business!
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