Peter Myles out – “bureacracy” wins
Peter Myles, director of Omnicom Media Group, is to step down this week.
A leading figure in New Zealand media buying, Myles is a “victim of bureaucracy” according to former media boss Martin Gillman.
In 2007 Myles was appointed executive director of OMG (at times styled as Opera) a jointly owned entity buying media on behalf of DDB and Clemenger BBDO.
OMG quickly became the largest media outfit in the country, acquiring Spark PHD, Total Media, M2M (formerly Mediawise) and OMD.
Andrew Reinholds, managing partner at OMD spoke briefly to StopPress to confirm the news.
“Peter is one of the originals, one of the real founders of media in New Zealand. He’ll leave a big gap and we wish him well,” says Reinholds.
StopPress understands there’s no immediate replacement in his group role.
Martin Gillman, former managing director of Total Media, now owner of MGGcomm, says the Opera model, successful in large markets such as the UK, never really worked in New Zealand.
“The group is largely dysfunctional, with each of the media brands competing fiercely against one another. It’s disappointing. I don’t think Peter has been able to realise the synergies that they had all hoped for. He has become a victim of bureaucracy.”
Gillman has high praise for his former competitor and peer. “Peter is a legend. He was instrumental in creating media as a separate industry in New Zealand. He made media grow up.”
Myles career began at Oglivy (we think) followed by Colenso. In late 1900s he launched Media Directions, the precursor to OMD.
Former Colenso colleague Mike Hutcheson describes Myles as a “prince among men … an icon of the industry … and a giant among dwarves.”
Often lionised for his florid prose, Hutcheson prophesises a bright future for Myles.
“He’s only in his mid-fifties, so he has as much of his working life ahead of him as he does behind. He’s got a lot more things to do.”
At press time we had not yet spoken to Myles, but we’ll be sure to get him soon.
Randy Pena
September 29, 2009
Great post. I will read your posts frequently. Added you to the RSS reader.
Rob Bree
September 29, 2009
Really sad to hear about Peter after so many years of sterling service and dedication to ‘the man’ and industry generally.
I have no doubt someone will snatch him up soon.
Vincent Heeringa
September 29, 2009
Actually, I think he’s probably relieved. The recession will be making these high-level, highly-paid positions untenable.
Combine that with the proposed cut to commissions by TVNZ and there will a general slimming of the industry, starting at the top.
But imagine how cool it must be to:
a) resign because you can
b) be young enough to relaunch yourself as Myles Inc, Myles Corp or Money Myles Ltd
c) have networks into capital, clout and experience.
Still feeling sorry for him? He’s the man!
tom osborne, wag the dog
September 29, 2009
Mylesy is a true gent, and I’m glad to have had the pleasure of working with him in the Media Direction days. He’ll be back.