Vale Mike Morris - champion of creativity from NME to Australian Posters to Campaign Brief
Many in the ad industry - on both the east and west coast - will be saddened to hear of the passing of Mike Morris, the lovable sales director of both Campaign Brief and bestadsontv.com, who passed away peacefully in his sleep late last week while on vacation in Port Douglas.Mike wasn't your average sales guy - he was a passionate supporter of creativity in all its forms, even from his time at New Musical Express during Punk Rock's heyday from 1979 to 1982 in London - where he knew everyone and went to every gig.
As he emailed Renegade Films and RocKwiz executive producer Joe Connor only a week back: "Working at NME was about the coolest thing a guy of 21 could do - saw every band in the world - all the punk/new wave, mates with the Clash + the Stranglers, heady days to a fan... (Dire Straits playing in the Nashville Rooms in West Kensington to about 50 people - next day my first attempt at a live review I laughed at them, 'Dire' indeed. 18 months later biggest band in the World! - I can pick them."
Born in Wales, Mike joined the Royal Navy in 1973, where he served until 1979, before joining IPC Magazines in London as a sales executive.He came out to Perth in 1982 where he took a sales role at Australian Posters, eventually rising to WA Sales Manager. It was in 1984 - the year we started CB in Perth - when we met Mike, who supported the fledgling mag with his regular AP Outdoor Ad of the Month - a key factor in WA being the centre of Outdoor creativity in the 80s. He was a central figure in the WA industry and transferred to the national sales manager role in Sydney in 1989, two years after we set up the national edition in 1987.
Mike went on to join Nettlefold Advertising in Sydney, then helped set up their Vietnam operation in the early 90s. Unfortunately, Vietnam banned outdoor posters in the mid 90s and Mike took the creative director role at BBDO Vietnam in 1996, where he stayed until 2000, when he returned to Perth. In March 2002 Mike joined CB in Sydney where he remained until his untimely death.
Says CB co-publisher and editor Michael Lynch: "All of us at CB will miss him greatly and we're all devastated that he's gone way too soon.
"Our deepest sympathy goes to his parents Norman and Marjorie, his sister Hilary and brothers Steve and Peter. Our thoughts are with them at this very sad time."
That is very very sad news. Over many years we found Mike an absolute gent to deal with. He will be missed. Thoughts go to his family and the team at CB.
I am very saddened about Mike's passing...I knew Mike for nearly ten years (since my first dealings with CB). During that time he had become a very good friend. Funny enough, he was the only guy who knew more about 'punk' music than I thought I did!
More importantly, he was one of the most honest and genuine blokes that I have known in our industry.
Mike Morris was a great bloke, I will miss him a lot!
A great guy, Mike you will be sadly missed..
Oh, so sorry to hear this. As others have said a true gentleman. No more phone calls in that wonderful rumbling baritone. My sincerest sympathy to all the CB family.
A great loss to the CB family and the production & advertising industries. He was a gentleman and was always a joy to deal with. He will be missed.
One of the greatest things about having been a part of the CB family was the privilege of knowing and becoming friends with Mike Morris. He was a passionate man, an honest man, a man with a big laugh and a bigger heart. Mike was a true gentleman. I'll miss you Mike.
Mike, you little devil..... leaving us soon. I will miss you my dear friend.
Very sad and quite a shock to hear Mike is no longer with us.He was not only a good friend,but also someone who did everything he could to encourage and promote great work.I'm sure everyone at CB are as saddened as I am.My thoughts are with you guys and with his family.Mike,thanks for all the support you gave me and Kare at Mather Godsell.It's not forgotten.RIP mate.
Very sad to hear of Mike leaving us so early. He was a top bloke. Condolences to his family. Farewell old friend.
Likewise very sad to hear of Mike's untimely passing. I picture Mike with his head thrown back, laughing; he spread a lot of joy.
Ive just read this news now.... I'm so deeply upset about, He told me a few weeks ago that he was so looking forward to his trip to Port Douglas... I cannot believe this is true.
I loved the chats we had together. Mike was (is) a fantastic guy and the only sales guy I liked talking too. He was amazing to deal with, so friendly and open.
I'm still in shock... I still cannot believe it. so upsetting.
My condolences to all of friends and team at CB... He will be sadly missed.
Very sad day....
Very sad news. Condolences to all his family and his friends at CB and elsewhere. RIP Mike.
I'm very sad.. Mike was a great character. I saw him once a year these past few years and every meeting lasted much longer than scheduled as he was that much fun to talk to. Now I wish I'd seen him more. I have a lot of fond memories of time spent with him. He was a very good soul and will be missed.
Rare indeed was such a generosity of spirit.
Long may both his humour and his humility, live on.
Remembered with great fondness and much love.
I've known Mike for 18 years, for one of those he lived with Michael and I at the farm. He never ceased to surprise me with his knowledge and passion about so many things. Even with his health problems, he'd still struggle in the veggie garden to help me plant and weed, and chat for hours about a myriad of benefits of everything from broccoli to broadbeans .... but later still pop up for o a takeaway from Pizzas in the Mist!!
Words, laughter and knowledge were what turned him on, and made him so interesting to be with. He cared about many, but lately stayed in touch with too few.
All your memories and kind words have been a great comfort to Mike's parents and family. Steve his brother is printing them off to show his mum and dad. Thanks for the memories, they bring them great comfort.
Farewell friend, sail carefully into that wind.
Not only a dear family friend but a mentor, uncle, pop culture genius and who-woulda-thunk-it.. eventual colleague! Words can't really explain how I feel right now but all I can say is thank you for taking me on and treating me as your own flesh and blood. I am so deeply appreciative for everything you have done for me.
Mike had a huge influence over my life. I was probably one of the first 5 year olds to say that my favourite band was Oasis - and I have him to thank for that. I'll never forget the Christmas' we used to spend together, the robotic fish game he bought me for one of my earliest birthdays, the countless CD's, books, and international magazines he would express ship to me.
I am blessed to have really gotten to know him as an adult both last year and this year and he will hold a permanent spot in my heart.
Memories of mike come to me quick and fast. His cheeky grin and furtive stares. His love of a great story and the depth in his own story telling. His love of the business and more so the characters it created. His concern with everyone's well being. Gosh I am rather gobsmacked to hear of this. My thoughts go to all whose lives he touched and who undoubtedly miss him. He will be chuckling somewhere still. Jay Furby.
Hey Michael,
I'm not much of a blogger so I thought I'd just email you directly to say how truly sorry I am about Mike's death.
All of you have been such a tight knit bunch over the years I can only imagine how deeply revelry one the must feel.
Please accept my sincere condolences and extend them to the Campaign Brief family.
It was always great dealing with Mike and we'd been joking about testing his knowledge on the show. A great salesperson understood the businesses he was dealing with and Mike took that to heart and took the extra step.
A great bloke and a very sad day.
(am in Cannes for Mipcom so apologies for delay.)
All the best to everyone at CB.
Sincerely,
Joe.
I count myself very lucky to have been in the company of Mike a handful of times. From what I hear Mike was a man whose unique charisma and passion for all things creative made him a favourite with everyone he came into contact with. Mike would be so proud of how his friends and family are carrying themselves at such a testing time. The depth of their love is a true testament to his spirit and character. You will be greatly missed Mike.
Megan x
So sad to read this. Mike was a lovely man.
Best wishes to his (and his CB) family. x
Terribly sad news, our business is the poorer for his passing.
Sad to hear this. Mike was such a nice guy to deal with and good fun to chat to as well. He would always go out of his way for you.
Best Wishes to all at CB - Mike will be missed.
So sad to hear this! The only man I know who managed to drive his dodgy MG from William Street up Crown Street (the wrong way) so we could get to Rogues!
Class Act! You will be missed mate, RIP...