Vale Robin Parkes, a remarkable industry leader and mentor
Robin Parkes passed away last month from brain cancer, aged 54. Publicis’ Sarah Keith collates memories and farewells from industry colleagues who became friends: David Fox, Guy Meldrum, Nicole Sheffield, Chelsea Wymer, Rochelle Burbury and Nelune Rajapakse. They pay tribute to their ‘rare gem’ of a friend and say they’re ‘not sure what [they’re] going to do without her’.
My dear friend and mentor, Robin Parkes, lost her fight with brain cancer in late December 2019. She was just 54, and is survived by her husband Herb and children Mitchell and Maddison.
Robin spent more than 25 years in advertising and media with senior roles spanning research and client management to launching Freeview, the free digital TV service, in Australia.
Parkes was most recently a founder at Karus Consulting
Like many of those paying tribute, I had the pleasure of knowing Robin professionally and on the odd occasion socially as well. She was a class act and will be dearly missed by many in this industry who had the privilege of working with her. Thinking of her family and many friends. RIP Robin.
I’m very sad to hear of Robin’s passing. I didn’t know her well but on the occasions we met she was a delight. Noted for her professionalism and highly respected, she will be much missed. My sincere condolences to all her friends and family.
Robin was the most amazing mentor, friend and client. I met her when I was summoned to a meeting about a Freeview sponsorship. She and Chelsea were two unhappy clients (to say the least) but together we worked through the issues and ended up the best of friends. She gave awesome advice and was a huge advocate of women in media. She made everyone feel special, was generous and a huge amount of fun. And she was one of the smartest women on earth. Thank you Robin for the laughs, the support and the friendship. I will miss you forever.
Robin was an amazing person. I had the opportunity of working under her leadership at Ogilvy Action, Sydney in 2007. Robin, we will miss you, RIP. My sincere condolences to all her friends and family.