Media Personality Of The Year: Barry Williamson

21 March 2002

One of the identities of the advertising and communications industry, Barry Williamson, was named Media Personality of the Year at the CAANZ Media Awards in Auckland on Thursday night.

Now operating as a Queenstown-based consultant, Mr Williamson is known to both the advertising and media industries as one of the most experienced media directors in the country.

Here's what the executive director of the Communication Agencies Association, Lynne Clifton, said at the awards ceremony at Auckland's Sheraton Hotel.

"This is not an award you can enter - it is an award that is earned. And it is given each year by the CAANZ Media committee as a mark of respect, thanks and admiration for outstanding work and achievement in furthering the 'media cause'.

This year's recipient of Media Personality of the Year has actually been in the business for over thirty years, during which time it is probably fair to say that he has either recruited, worked with, negotiated with, or trained the majority of people in this room - he has certainly touched all of our lives and careers.

In an often fickle industry, he is as solid as a rock. He is totally unpretentious and down to earth. He commands respect with media, clients, colleagues and competitors. He gives and receives enormous loyalty from his staff. And he is one of those legendary 'tough but fair' negotiators who exemplifies the concept of win:win. Barry's work in training our new media recruits continues today as leader of our TV3/CAANZ Media School."

Mr Williamson also consults to the Auckland-based Media Palace, which is part of GeneratorBates.

CAANZ is the national body representing New Zealand's advertising and communications agencies.

CAANZ 09 303 0435 WWW.CAANZ.CO.NZ

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