Harold Mitchell (media buyer)

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Harold Charles Mitchell

AC
(13 May 1942 – 10 February 2024) was an Australian businessman, media buyer, philanthropist and humanitarian.

Life and career

Harold Mitchell was born in

RMIT.[1]

Mitchell became a successful media buyer, founded his own company, and led the development of the media buying industry in Australia.[citation needed]

Mitchell was the Executive Chairman of the Mitchell Communication Group

Aegis Group. He was also involved in Television Sydney.[citation needed
]

In 2000, he created the Harold Mitchell Foundation, which donates money to various causes promoting community health and the arts.[2][3]

Mitchell was the chairman or board member of various organisations including the

Museum Board of Victoria,[1] Opera Australia,[1] CARE Australia, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tennis Australia, the Deakin Foundation, the Melbourne International Festival of Arts, and the Australia-Indonesia Centre.[3]

Mitchell was a champion of sport, helping to ensure the long term viability of soccer in Australia.[4] In 2010 he became co-owner of the Melbourne Rebels rugby union team.[3][5]

Mitchell was a major promoter of Australia overseas, such as in bringing Australian Indigenous art to millions worldwide.[4]

His personal challenges included alcoholism[1] and obesity. He was a teetotaller since he was 23, and shed 70 kilograms before his 70th birthday.[6]

In July 2020, Mitchell was found by the Federal Court of Australia to have breached his duties as a director of Tennis Australia by providing confidential information to the Seven Network in the awarding of television rights for the Australian Open in 2013.[7]

His autobiography Living Large appeared in 2009.[2] Mitchell died on 10 February 2024, at the age of 81.[8]

Prominent appearances

Harold Mitchell presented the 2003

Q&A.[citation needed
]

Honours

In the Australia Day Honours of 2004 Harold Mitchell was made an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia, "For service to the community, particularly as a benefactor and fundraiser in support of artistic and cultural endeavour, and to business through advertising and media interests".[10]

In the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2010, he was appointed a Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia, then Australia's highest civilian honour, "For eminent service to the community through leadership and philanthropic endeavours in the fields of art, health and education and as a supporter of humanitarian aid in Timor-Leste and Indigenous communities".[11]

Mitchell was a 2013 National Finalist in the Australian of the Year awards.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Business 21C Archived 2014-05-19 at the Wayback Machine; Retrieved 17 August 2013
  2. ^ a b c Harold Mitchell, Living Large; Retrieved 17 August 2013
  3. ^ a b c d Harold Mitchell Foundation; Retrieved 17 August 2013
  4. ^ a b c d Australian of the Year; retrieved 6 February 2022
  5. ^ Smart Company; Retrieved 17 August 2013
  6. ^ The Age, 4 May 2012; Retrieved 17 August 2013
  7. Australian Securities & Investments Commission
    31 July 2020
  8. ^ Advertising veteran Harold Mitchell dead at 81 Western Advocate 11 February 2024
  9. ^ National Press Club, Address 1 September 2009 Archived 3 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine: Retrieved 17 August 2013
  10. ^ It's an Honour: AO; Retrieved 17 August 2013
  11. ^ It's an Honour: AC; Retrieved 17 August 2013
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