Vale Noel Browne – the much loved and respected George Paterson Melbourne managing director
The Australian advertising industry will be saddened to hear of the passing of Melbourne adman Noel Browne, a great suit and one-time managing director of George Patterson Bates Melbourne.
Browne was a renowned suit, who ran the giant CUB account for a long time. As one friend put it today, “He was a great Melbourne Ad Man!”
Former Patts Melbourne director Charles Shiplee, now based in London, wrote on Facebook: “A gentleman and giant of the business. When advertising was fun and we did some fantastic work. Always kind and supportive to me.”
Adds former colleague Mike Morrison: “Noel understood the depth of client and agency relationships . He knew all his clients what they like their families their businesses and was an incredibly steady hand in the constantly turbulent times of agency life. He oversaw one of the most prized accounts in Melbourne, the mighty CUB. Where we said at Patts , “CUB is in the walls of this place”, with many thanks to Noel and men like Kevin Mier.”
After many years as a top account director at George Patts, Noel was appointed managing director in 1989 until 1997 when he moved across the Tasman to take the reins of Bates New Zealand.
Browne (right) at a function with colleague Fysh Rutherford
10 Comments
Noel
Understood the depth of client and agency relationships . He knew all his clients what they like their families their businesses and was an incredibly steady hand in the constantly turbulent times of agency life. He oversaw one of the most prized accounts in Melbourne the mighty CUB. Where we said at Patts . “CUB is in the walls of this place “ with many thanks to Noel and men like Kevin Mier .
I never met Noel during his advertising days but for the last 10 years he has been my father-in-law. He was a gentleman, a keen golfer and a loving father all the way to the end. He has offered me endless encouragement in my own career and will be dearly missed.
Noel was my MD at Patts when I was starting out in this business and was incredibly caring and had a great sense of humour. And no-one could pull off a “man-purse” like he did! Sending my sincere condolences to his family.
Noel was a key part of a great Patts era when Patts was a giant agency and the dominant force in Australian advertising. Amazing how the generation of management that followed, mainly based in Sydney, could destroy the agency’s remarkable legacy – and the agency itself – in a few short years. Vale Noel Brown, vale Patts.
Noel really was one of the good guys in adland.
A legend throughout my years at Patts and a wonderful and generous man to boot. So inspiring and approachable. A true gentleman. Sorely missed by all at the Patts Melbourne office during Noel’s time and who remain in contact to this day. Vale Noel and condolences to his family and friends.
For this once young and adventurous boy who started at 394 LaTrobe Street, Noel was a wonderfully warm and interested boss who gave an incredible amount of his time and encouragement to all and sundry.
He consistently supported opportunities for growth and had the trust and faith from a broad range of advertising and marketing’s misfits and intellects – during a time when George Patterson Melbourne was one of the world’s best and most formidable agencies … and with some of the best office parties ever!
A big chunk of my success since those days can be attributed to the values instilled by Noel and his leadership style.
Sadly the Sydney management intrusions managed to destroy so much of what Noel had been integral in creating.
For those who spent that time with Noel and Patts Melbourne, we should all be warmed by the notion of having known a great man who understood positive culture, teamwork and the importance of having fun while doing great work.
Noel was a quiet achiever. He did a fantastic job. Without the hype. He got on famously with clients. He was admired by those who worked with him. If he lacked anything it was BS and hubris. Qualities found in abundance in many of his contemporaries. When he left it was the beginning of the end for Patts. RIP Noel; you’ll be missed…
Noel Browne.
One of life’s good guys.
A tough competitor, whose decency and humility
earned him the universal respect and admiration
of his colleagues and industry peers.
My sincere condolences to his family and many
friends.
Vale Noel.
How lucky I was to have worked through the 70’s with Noel Browne, when working at Patts Melbourne was the envy of every serious advertising practitioner. So ably led by the great Colin Fraser, the Melbourne office continued to acquire new business at a rate that even challenged the almighty Sydney office of Patts. Working through the night to win the Myer owned Target Retail Stores account, with less than 24 hours of preparation, is one of my great memories of working with Noel Browne. Calm and composed always – a true gentlemen and total professional of the advertising industry. Farewell old mate