Media tycoon Harold Mitchell dies, aged 81
The businessman, philanthropist and media commenter founded Mitchell & Partners in 1976, and oversaw its rise to become one of the nation’s largest media and communications groups.
One of Australia’s most high-profile media buyers, Harold Mitchell, has died aged 81.
It is understood Mitchell died after complications arising from recent knee surgery.
The Melbourne-based businessman, philanthropist and media commenter – the son of a Stawell sawmiller who failed to finish high school – founded Mitchell & Partners in 1976, and oversaw its rise to become one of the nation’s largest media and communications groups.
The company operated in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific, with Mr Mitchell eventually selling it to Britain’s Aegis Group for $363 million in 2010.
Among those to pay tribute to Mr Mitchell includes Seven West Media managing director and chief executive officer James Warburton.
“Harold was a fierce, tough competitor and a true legend of the Australian media and advertising industry,” he said.
“He loved media. He was passionate about selling the impact and value of advertising.
“He was a great friend to the TV industry and many of us learnt a lot from him. Our deepest sympathies go to Harold’s family at this very sad time.”
While Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes said: “Harold was a visionary and a leader in the media industry over many decades.
“He will also be remembered as a great philanthropist and supporter of the arts and sports. “Harold was a doyen of the industry and a great friend over the 40 years we had known each other.
“He had a wonderful sense of humour and a was groundbreaker in the way media was monetised.
“I enjoyed his company, and he will be missed by us all.”
Mr Mitchell also held the position of executive chairman as Aegis Media Pacific and had many roles on board over the decades including the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum Board of Victoria, Opera Australia, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Tennis Australia.
He had other board roles with the Melbourne International Festival of Arts and the Australia-Indonesia Centre and he also became a patron of the group helping people deal with alcohol problems, Hello Sunday Morning.
In December 2000 the media tycoon launched the Mitchell Foundation which underpinned his charitable works.
Mr Mitchell battled his own health issues including obesity and alcoholism and in his memoir Living Large he discussed his dysfunctional upbringing with an alcoholic mother.
He said in the memoir he gave up smoking and drinking in his 20s but continued to battle with eating issues.
Mr Mitchell also became the co-owner of the Melbourne Rebels in 2000 but left three years later after suffering a multimillion financial loss.
In 2019 Mitchell was fined $90,000 after he was found in the Federal Court to have breached his duties as a director of Tennis Australia.
He was found to have acted inappropriately by providing secret information about Tennis Australia to the Seven Network in order to help it win TV rights.
In 2013 he split from his wife of 50 years, Bevelly.
He is survived by his two children, Stuart and Amanda.
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