Farewell Colenso Founder, Hylton Mackley AM

Hylton Mackley, one of the founders of acclaimed New Zealand agency Colenso, has died.

He became one of the agency's four founders in 1969, four years before Clemenger Group took a stake in the agency. Fifteen years later, in 1987, Colenso merged into the Group and Hylton became finance director of Clemenger Group. He held the role until 2011, when he became a non-executive director and, more recently, chairman emeritus of Clemenger Group New Zealand.

Robert Morgan, the former long-term chair of Clemenger Group who retired last year, said Hylton was "synonymous with the advertising industry on both sides of the Tasman."

“Hylton’s contributions shaped Clemenger Group and the industry in both New Zealand and Australia for more than 50 years," he said.

“His mischievous and entrepreneurial spirit has also remained part of Colenso’s DNA. The agency’s annual celebration of Founders Day recalls the story when Hylton and his co-founders would leave the lights on at the end of the day – making the other agencies think they were working through the night. For those who knew Hylton, this story would come as no surprise!”

“On behalf of those who worked with or were mentored by him, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Hylton's family, friends and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”

​Angela Watson, Colenso BBDO's CEO, "can't remember a time in advertising before Hylton."

"He’s been a formidable presence from the very beginning of Colenso and is one of the agency’s cultural anchors," she told LBB.

"He carries the memory of how Colenso thinks, not just what it does: an appreciation for ideas done properly without ego, the refusal to rush to the obvious, and the calm belief that the work — and the people — will speak louder than noise.

"I loved his undeniable courage most of all. Hylton was a big thinker, with a big personality, and he took big swings.

"On behalf of everyone at Colenso, from the very beginning to now, heartfelt thanks for doing what you did -- we wouldn't be what we are without you. Sending our love and thoughts to Hylton's family and friends."

In 2018, Hylton received an Order of Australia (AM) honour for his contribution to the advertising industry and the arts, and he served as honorary treasurer of the Victorian Artists Society, through which he played a key role in the restoration of the Society's Heritage Victoria and National Trust-listed building. The Society has an award and exhibition hosted in his name to recognise painters and sculptors.

In addition, he was a director of housing affordability not-for-profit Barnett Foundation.

He is survived by his wife, Eileen Mackley AM, and sons Justin and Adam.