Vale Dr Paul Priday: Adman, Renaissance Man, Gender and Cultural Researcher
The Australian ad industry will be saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Paul Priday, who died yesterday, after losing his battle with Cancer.
Priday’s family are raising donations for the Unicorn Foundation in his memory.
A celebration of Paul’s life will be held in The Refectory in the new Business School at Sydney Uni towards the end of June. The family is not able to set precise dates and times until the end of this month when key people return from overseas commitments.
Priday began his career in advertising in 1965 at JWT, London. He moved to Australia in 1968 where he worked as a copywriter at Melbourne’s Masius and JWT, and as a senior freelance copywriter with Lintas.
In the 80’s he co-founded the agency Begg, Dow Priday.
Priday has served as chairman of AWARD, was a teacher of Marketing Communications at Sydney University and taught Copywriting at AWARD School.
For the last twenty years he was marketing advisor to King Furniture and its principal, David King.
Says friend David Morris, retired adman and former principal of Weekes Morris Osborn and Morris & Partners: “Paul was a multi-talent. He successfully combined a love of good creative, an understanding of client needs – underpinned by a strong sense of strategic discipline.”
“Unusual for the ad industry he was also an academic. He attained a Bachelor degree (H1) majoring in Sociology from the University of New England in 2010 and in 2016 he was awarded his Doctorate from Sydney University.
“Since 2011 Paul had been a Gender and Cultural Researcher, and in 2016 published his thesis Obsession with Brilliance: Masculinities and Creativity In Transnational Advertising Agencies. This caused quite a stir within the ad industry as it challenged the gender issue within ad agencies. But for Paul I think it was a wonderful way of combining his love of advertising with an intellectual rigour that challenged many of our industry assumptions and unquestioning acceptances of our largely masculine biases and gender imbalances, particularly in the creative department.
“Such was the respect he had in advertising circles he was given an ‘open door’ invitation to research his thesis and interview st
aff at M&C Saatchi Sydney, McCanns Sydney and Delhi, and Ogilvy Shanghai.
“Paul was a Renaissance Man, a Renaissance Person.“
8 Comments
I have a lot to thank Paul for. He tutored me when I was studying marketing at Sydney Uni, and told me about AWARD School & encouraged me to try out. He opened my eyes to all the possibilities of a creative career. RIP.
My wife Maggie (Wilkins) ran a small Marketing agency (Wilkins Research) herself. She knew Paul, but not well. She herself is being treated for cancer of the ovary at the St. Leonards Clinic where she ran into Paul occasionaly.. I myself am a retired gynaecologist and should very much like to know what Paul’s “rare” cancer was.
I hope that no offence is taken by this enquiry
My sincere condolences to Paul’s family
Herbie Sternberg
We had the pleasure of meeting and working with Paul last year, back when we were at Special Group. He was sharp as a tack, hugely generous with his time and an utter pleasure to spend occasionally very long meetings with. He was someone we genuinely looked up to and respected greatly. Rest in peace, Paul. Condolences to your family. Will & Pim.
One of the good guys on every level, especially for lunch. So many great memories with Paul, Rob and Graham with a side of Austin. Vale Paul.
Sharp intellect. Very considered communicator. Ran a wonderfully calm creative department at Hertz Waploe in the early 90s and mentored creatives young & old. Respect & condolences to Margot & Polly.
Paul and I became friends when I first went to Melbourne, and remained so. Ever gracious and charming, he was someone who enquired of you, and listened. Vale, Paul.
I met Paul when he came down to McCann Delhi for his research’Obsession with Brilliance: Masculinities and Creativity In Transnational Advertising Agencies’. I had the pleasure to assist him in his research in India; never realised when this academic interaction developed into a deep friendship . I fondly remember his insightful comments and sharp observations about gender discrimination as we would visit the historical Jama Masjeed of Delhi or eat at famous local kebab eateries . Paul’s creative mind marvelled at the intricate Mughal architecture. We had planned that post his theses he would again make a trip to India and we would visit some of these historical wonders like Agra Fort and Taj Mahal.
We used to exchange mails and he had advised me about Australian Universities when I told him about my daughter’s desire to pursue masters in Public health. His last mail was about a month a half back. I never ever thought that I would be writing this comment. In my mind he will always remain as a wonderful friend beyond the seas!
Respect & condolences to Mrs Priday & their daughter
Hi Herbie (Sternberg), no offence taken. Dad had neuroendocrine cancer. By the time it was discovered it had already metastasised extensively. I do hope your wife is as comfortable as possible and wish you all the best on the journey ahead.
Warm Regards,
Polly Priday