Vale Darryn Melrose, ex CEO of Aim Proximity and M&C Saatchi, New Zealand: “He made it a joy to come to work each and every day,” says Dave King

The New Zealand advertising industry has lost one of its brightest, funniest and most positive leaders with the passing of Darryn Melrose this Christmas, after a six month battle with cancer.

Starting as an accountant in Christchurch, Melrose later moved into marketing, securing the role of Senior Brand Manager at Lion before moving to Head of Marketing for BNZ Credit Cards.

After stints at Proximity London and Lloyds TSB, Melrose returned to New Zealand, first as MD of Proximity Wellington, before becoming CEO of Proximity New Zealand. Melrose’s leadership saw the agency go from strength to strength, winning such coveted clients as NZ Post, Kiwibank, Telecom, Toyota, IAG New Zealand, Yellow Pages, TVNZ, Vodafone, The Warehouse and Westpac.

Under Melrose’s leadership, the agency also won numerous creative awards including the Grand Prix at the Prestigious Caples Awards for the Warehouse and was ranked the number two agency in the world by the Won Report.

Melrose next moved to CEO of M&C Saatchi New Zealand, immediately winning Jetstar, Orcon, Yellow Pages, TVNZ, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Rabo Direct. His work for New Zealand Police saw the agency win multiple golds at the Effie Awards, including Most Difficult Marketing Challenge.

After leaving M&C Saatchi, Melrose continued to played a crucial part in shaping future generations of creative professionals as the CEO of Media Design School, followed by Whitecliffe College and subsequently in multiple senior Executive roles at Torrens University Australia where latterly he was instrumental in reshaping the Torrens University, Billy Blue College of Design, Blue Mountains International Hotel School and Media Design School brands with the Billy Blue work picking up a Silver Transform Award at the end of last year.

Dave King, Melrose’s ECD at both Aim Proximity and M&C Saatchi, writes: “Darryn wasn’t just the most positive person I met in advertising, he was the most positive person I’ve ever met full stop. He was encouraging, supportive and full of boundless enthusiasm. He made it a joy to come to work each and every day. He became a great friend.”

Brett Hoskin, Managing Director Clemenger Wellington NZ, adds: “It’s hard to pin down what made Dazza so special. Yes he was a positive force, had a magnetic personality, was personable and caring. But what I think impressed me most was his vision for things that hadn’t been created yet. He could see into the future and leap at it with a confidence and enthusiasm rarely seen, with a pretty good success rate too I might add. I always admired him for that.”

Richard Fraser, ex Head of Strategy at Aim Proximity and former Regional Managing Director, Proximity Asia, said: “Darryn gave me my start in Advertising and was a one of a kind leader and wonderful human who created a magnetic agency culture that was thrilling to be a part of. He had a huge impact on me personally and professionally, and our era working together are a highlight of my career because of Darryn. He will be greatly missed.”

A memorial service celebrating Darryn Melrose’s life will be held at:

Akarana, Te Kawau Room, 8-10 Tamaki Drive, Okahu Bay – on Friday 16 January at 2pm. Everyone is welcome.