Vale creative director Gordon Clarke
The New Zealand ad industry will be saddened to hear of the passing of Gordon Clarke, the former national creative director of Y&R, who passed away peacefully at home on 15 October.
Clarke, originally from Perth, Western Australia, retired in May 2012 after five years running his own company Clarke Newton. Before Y&R, where he spent five years, he had a seven years as a creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi.
Thoughts go out to his wife Annie and three children Caitlin, Barnaby and Bronte.
A celebration of Gordon’s life will be held at Orakei Bay, 231 Orakei Road this Saturday 19 October at 11am. Private cremation to follow.
Special thanks to North Shore Hospice, Dr Michele Hollis and the Medplus team, Dr Anthony Falkov and Dr Richard Sullivan. In lieu of flowers donations to North Shore Hospice, PO Box 331129, Takapuna would be appreciated. – See more here
19 Comments
I meet Gordon a few times recently when he was a partner at Clark Newton and prior to that when he was CD at Y&R Auckland… (he actually said my work was shit at the time and looking back I tended to agree)… Maybe it was the kick in the ass my writer partner and I needed.
Following that meeting we changed our portfolio, created 20 new campaigns and got a job at DDB and now have both gone on to bigger things within the industry.
As of the 10 interviews i had at the time Gordon’s was certainly the most memorable and effective.
A real character, sorry to hear about his passing…a real shame.
Regards
Leighton Howl
Gordon Clarke was the man who brought me to New Zealand. I was very saddened to hear of his passing and there are many things about him I’ll never forget.
He had a big heart, a tough style, a surprisingly girly laugh and a wonderful family.
Go well Gordy. Thanks mate.
Sad news indeed, we had our ups and downs like every creative couple. But at the end of the day we had some good times and produced some great work together.
My heart goes out to Anne and the kids.
Very sad. Thanks for the good times, Clarkey.
Paul
No creative director scared me more than Gordy. His withering line was always ‘Or you could do something with an idea in it.’ He let you know when you hadn’t cracked it, but you also knew when you had. Underneath his toughness was a bloody good man who looked out for people and who cared about them.
Very sad news.
Gordon is why I’m New Zealand. Took a punt on me when I was just a junior and teamed me up with Glenn Wood. We had some amazing times at Saatchis, and Gordy was our champion, constantly protecting and defending us and always 100% behind the work.
Gordon Clarke is the reason we moved to New Zealand back in the nineties, and I guess without him bringing us over here The Collective Force and Our Production Team in New Zealand may never have existed, let alone the opportunity to live in this gorgeous place. Thanks Gordy – RIP.
Gordon was a good man. He looked after the Adschool students and was always truthful. And he loved Spain, so we had some good old chats. Funny moment- when Jeneal went to his birthday party dressed as Gordy- she wore ludicrously large, bright ginga false eyebrows. And was pulled over by the cops on the way back.
Very sad news – my heart goes out to Annie, Gordy’s kids and all his family and friends. A great character, a big heart under all that, and someone who took a chance on talent, and actually trained many a great talent in NZ. Sail well dear Gordon, you made a great mark.
RIP Gordy. It was an honour and a pleasure to be your producer back in the 90s at Saatchis Auckland. You were generous with your knowledge and patient with me when I was just a baby girl producer. I can still hear you call me darlin and that classic Aussie laugh of yours.
Go well Gordy. Love to your family.
Gordy you gave me my first break back at Y&R and you were one of the best bosses I’ve ever had.
A lovely and very talented man. I will miss the laughter Gordy.
Gordon together with Andrew Tinning hired me for my first full-time job in the industry. I will never forget that fantastic laugh, talk about a great guy. Thanks Gordo for giving me the break and yes, I know how important you are.
RIP Gordo.
Gordo gave myself and Derek Green our first gig at Saatchi & Saatchi Christchurch. We loved working for him because he was tough and wanted the best work. He was also a great bloke. His girly laugh and ‘then something happened’ response to half baked ideas made him a great CD. I look back at that time with Gordo, Tinning and Pete Force as one of the best places I’ve been lucky enough to work.
My thoughts go out to Gordo’s family and friends. Gone too soon.
R.I.P Gordy. Bloody good bloke
see yah uncle gordy me and you both have hyena laughs love yah from booza
Just read this and feel devastated. I didn’t know. I met Gordon in 86 when he was a country journo in Northam outside Perth. Worked with him. Drank with him. Partied with him. Talked women with him. Was around when he met the incredible Annie. When he left Northam – he introduced me to his journo successor – who I subsequently travelled the world with and married.
Gordon went on to fame, fortune and ulcers in the world of adverting in NZ. We caught up a few times. He was one of the people I wanted to see when/if my life/work/family balance ever kicked in. Now I can’t. And I am sorry I missed the opportunity. Sorry mate. Thank you Gordon. I owe you. Robin
I had tried to find Gordon on social media sites for years but could not. During my search I came across this tribute for Gordon. I knew Gordon in 1979-80 in Mexico. The 6 months we were friends in Mexico were memorable. We kept in touch during the 80s and then lost contact. R.I.P. to a wonderful friend from so long ago.