Industry chiefs lead tributes to 'true gent' Mike Dodds

Senior figures, friends and colleagues from the marketing industry have paid tribute to former Ogilvy, Proximity and The Salocin Group chief Mike Dodds, who passed away last week, aged 61.

The tributes on LinkedIn have been led by Edit Agency chief growth officer J Cromack, who joined The Salocin Group at the same time as Mike in early 2022.

He wrote: “We’re all gutted by this news. The impact Mike has had in the past two-plus years has been significant. The guidance and support Mike provided me and the rest of the team has been brilliant and beyond what he needed to do, because he cared so much.

“His whole ethos of ‘good is the enemy of great’ has rung true across the business and we’ve all improved from Mike’s presence. On top of this, Mike was just a top bloke, who enjoyed a laugh, sport and a social. Always fun to be around and he will be sorely missed. Condolences and support to Mike’s family.”

Ex-COI and Paragon chief Marc Michaels said: “Very sad to read this. Mike was a great guy. A real pleasure to work with and an expert marketer. My condolences to his family.”

Meanwhile, Accenture Song global head of data and AI Jatinder Singh added: “So saddened to hear this. I had the honour and pleasure of working with Mike at Omnicom. He was such a lovely bloke. Thinking of his family.”

Former agency chief Ben Stephens, who is now global head of brand at GFG Alliance in Dubai, said he was “gutted” to hear the news. “Kindhearted, clear sighted and passionate about that thing we call agencyland. From early Limbo days to late summer golfing at Bramley you taught me more than you will ever know Mike. Too soon.”

Meanwhile, Oliver UK chief strategy officer Nick Myers, who worked with Mike at Proximity, commented: “Condolences, love and prayers to Mike’s family. Mike had a transformative impact on Proximity when he joined in 2008 and revived the agency’s winning streak.

“During his tenure, the agency won stellar accounts such as Lloyds TSB, John Lewis, and Disney, to name just a few. Mike was also at the helm when Proximity retained the BBC TV Licensing account; it was a pitch win on par with the parting of the Red Sea.

“Mike was a brilliant leader, a consummate client partner, and a true gent. He was highly respected and trusted by colleagues and clients. Working with Mike made you better at whatever it was you did; he was that kind of guy.”

Mark Runucus, the former chief strategy officer at Karmarama, who is now non-exec chair at Outvertising, wrote: “I’m so sorry to hear this. I was lucky enough to work with Mike at OgilvyOne and learned so much from him. A real gentleman and a role model for many. My thoughts are with all his family and friends.”

Former 20:20 London founder Peter Riley also met Mike at OgilvyOne, and is now an entrepreneur and investor. He commented: “I have many fond memories of Mike, such a fair and honest professional and a great bloke. I am so sorry for his family and close friends. RIP Mike.”

An event to celebrate Mike’s life will be held on August 26 2024 near Guildford; please email Clare at lcdodds@gmail.com for further details.