Since the sad news of the passing of our beloved Media Research Director, Denise Turner, we have been deeply moved by the outpouring of tributes and messages from across the industry. The heartfelt responses from so many have been a testament to the incredible impact Denise had on everyone she worked with.
A Thanksgiving service for Denise will be held at 11 am on Monday, 8 December at St Paul's Church in Salisbury, where Richard Eyre will be sharing Denise’s remarkable life in Advertising. Denise’s family have requested no flowers, but welcomes any donations to Projects Delivering Hope, a charity she was involved with.
In the meantime, we wanted to take a moment to share a small selection of the many fond memories from across the industry that celebrate Denise’s legacy.
Words cannot express the sorrow we all feel at the loss of our beloved Denise. She was an inspiration to all and touched the lives of so many here at the IPA. In the short time she was with us, she made an impact which will resonate for years to come. Denise was the most amazing, loving and caring friend, colleague and leader we could ever have wished for and was a true guiding light for everyone she met. May the light she brought to all of our lives shine on forever.
I had known Denise for nearly 30 years, and I am heartbroken that she has left us too early. Denise was magic at making you feel important; she always listened and cared about everyone. Denise had a wicked sense of humour; she was a great boss and friend. I miss her every day, and my thoughts are with Craig, Ethan and Lexi. And on that note, Godspeed, Denise.
It's taken me a few days to put the words together. I've just been reading everything everyone has written about what an incredible person Denise was. She was one of the most inspirational people I ever worked with. I told her many times, but now I wish I had told her more often, how much she transformed the way I think, work and the trajectory of my career.
Those who knew Denise fleetingly would have seen an absolutely lovely human being. Never a bad word to say about anyone and would always see the good in everything. It took a lot to rile her up, and it would be quite funny to see her angry because it was so rare and out of character. But the great thing about it was it would always come from a place of passion because she had so much of it. And there was always a cheeky smile and a story whenever we caught up. So much positivity in one person.
Those that worked with her will know she was one of the most progressive practitioners in the industry. She was championing data science ahead of any other agency, leading the charge in data visualisation when no-one else was considering it. She used to talk about 'seeing around corners' when doing insight work and she really could.... She set a new standard for what an insight and effectiveness team could achieve.
I don't really know how, but Denise blended quiet and unassuming with fearsome and unstoppable. She was unique and I don't think there will be another one like her. My love goes out to Craig and the children, she was so proud of them and my heart breaks for you all. My thoughts are with you.
Denise, I will miss you. I wish I had told you more often how amazing you were....Thank you for everything.
Denise was a master of the craft of media research. She set a high benchmark through her great knowledge and decency. She will be missed terribly.
As my manager, mentor, and friend, Denise was a truly inspirational leader—steadfast in her beliefs, fiercely supportive of her team, and always generous with her time. I fondly remember the many cakes Denise baked for each team member’s birthday, a testament to her genuine care and thoughtfulness. My heartfelt condolences go out to Craig, Ethan, and Lexi; Denise built a remarkable legacy, and you should be very proud of all she achieved and the lives she touched.
Truly devastated to read this news. I was fortunate enough to work with Denise for many years at Havas and I can truly say she was both the smartest and the kindest person I worked with there. She was a wonderful, committed Mum and was so dedicated to her family that I am reeling to read this. Sending my heartfelt condolences to Craig and to her beloved Ethan and Lexi. This doesn't feel real to write and I know I will be one of many thrown sideways by this devastating news. RIP Denise.
Really hard to find the words. Just heartbreaking. Denise was incredibly kind, warm and sincere, on top of being a very intelligent lady who was brilliant at her craft. She was loved and respected across the entire industry, and it really won’t be the same without her in it. On a personal note, she was an incredible mentor and dear friend over many years, and I’ll miss her enormously. Thoughts are with all her family, friends and colleagues at such a sad time.
So rare to have someone who was a brilliant operator and a fantastic human being in equal measure. Denise was a straight forward and wonderful person … such news is always shocking, but the thought of no Denise is just devastating.
This is such desperately sad news. I was extremely lucky to have worked with Denise at MPG as I started out in media and she was always incredibly smart, generous, kind, great company - and she made great cake! She leaves an amazing legacy not only through her work but the impact she had on her colleagues and friends. Sending love to Craig, Ethan and Lexi - she was so proud of you all. The media world will be poorer for her loss. We’ll miss you Denise
Still trying to process this news. She was a client of mine across 25 years. She was a joy to work with and was rightly loved across the media research community. As others have said, she was always interested in improving things everywhere she worked and brought about positive change. She will be missed by all of us, but especially her family. My deepest condolences to them.
Such hard news to take in from when I heard this earlier today. I cannot believe that someone I was conversing with in recent days has left us so suddenly. I’ve been lucky enough to work with her on a number of audience measurement initiatives and on the Solus Club Committee as we navigated Covid. Denise will leave a big hole in the media industry, I’m very sad and I cannot begin to think how hard this will impact her family and close friends. Sending love and condolences at this incredibly difficult time.
Gutted, shocked and so so sad. Denise humoured every daft request I came up with for innovative new ways to use insight tools, offered the wisest head when I was about to become a new parent and was generous with guidance on how to establish and succeed in my first big senior career step. Although she was clearly senior and happy to take a leading role in the industry, she was always available to offer words of wisdom to any new working parents I introduced to her for role modelling or mentoring. I can’t imagine how her family are feeling right now but I hope they realise that the kindness and generosity of the woman they all knew was felt far and wide to create a legacy and a deep well of memories. In whatever way it can, I hope that offers some level of comfort.
What terribly sad news. Denise was an inspiration in our industry, I always felt so lucky to have got to work with her so early in my own career, as it was genuinely learning from the very best. She was extremely thoughtful and caring and left a lasting positive impression to everyone she met. Condolences and love to all your loved ones and family xx
Denise was my first agency boss, and what a remarkable example she set. She led with kindness and empathy, truly walking the walk when it came to knowing her craft and caring for her team.
All of us in the MPG Insight team felt protected and supported; we always knew she had our best interests at heart. Anyone who was managed by Denise knows the formative impact she had on us, as a leader, a research icon, and of course an incredible baker.
She set the tone for what it truly means to lead with kindness, integrity and purpose. My thoughts & prayers are with her family xx
Denise was the sort of person who rings you back instead of replying to your text with another text. She was warm, generous and really, really funny. It's appropriate that the last time I saw her was last month at Advertising: Who Cares?, because of course she cared.
She cared about this industry and its future. She cared about her small but mighty team at Route, where she made important changes during a torrid time for out-of-home. And I know, had she been given the opportunity, that she would have used her considerable intellect, force of personality, and her care of the industry to be a consequential media research director for the IPA, where she had only just begun. Thank you to everyone who has posted about Denise already; I was in shock to find this out just now, but your words have helped me begin to process this.
I was devastated to hear the news this morning. Such a huge shock. Denise was one of a kind. Working with her, she inspired me about all things insight-related and fuelled a career-long passion of mine. Thinking of her family, I can’t begin to imagine what they are going through. Denise, you will be so very sorely missed.
Denise was such a positive and leading light in our industry. She was a force for good, and so many people looked up to her (myself included). This is such sad and shocking news. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
Such sad news. Denise has been a titan of our industry and always had a twinkle in her eye, a kind word, and helpful feedback. She's been a client and a fellow judge, and I will miss her perspective. Condolences to her family and to all of you across the industry who loved and admired her.
Many fond memories of a wonderful professional and friend, who achieved so much but had so much she still wanted to do. We’ll miss her, and the industry will be poorer without her - let’s stand up for the quality and integrity she believed in and embodied in so many ways. Condolences to her family, who were clearly very dear to her.
Such a huge loss. She was one of the warmest and smartest women I’ve encountered in this industry. Our paths have crossed so many times over the last 15 years, and I can’t really imagine not bumping into her at the next event. Thinking of her family and friends at such a devastating time.
This is the saddest news. We are so fortunate to have had the uniqueness of Denise in our industry - kind, smart, thoughtful - she just gave a real damn. She will be so missed by so many. Thoughts to all her family
I’m very sad to read this. Denise was many wonderful things. To me, entering the advertising world at Mediapolis at the turn of the millennium, she was: head of research, she was a wealth of knowledge, an open door, a whole lot of humanity and seemingly unflappable calm in a chaotic and intimidating world. My thoughts and prayers with all those closest friends and the family who will most miss her touch.
Such a sad, sad day. Denise was brilliant - warm, funny and always down-to-earth. Never afraid to tackle the big issues head-on. We will all miss her presence, her charm and her energy. Condolences to her family, friends and colleagues past and present.
So sad to hear this. A lady who inspired many and always with a kind, gentle word and a sparkle in her eyes. We have lost one of the greats. Thoughts and condolences to her family at this time, and hugs to our industry colleagues who will be so deeply touched by the news
So shocked to hear this. I have known Denise for many years, firstly for being such a strong and positive voice in the industry and in more recent years, collaborating with her at Newsworks. She was so brilliant to work with; full of empathy for others, ideas for how to do things differently and energy to keep everything moving. My thoughts are with her family and friends x
Shocked seems inadequate. I felt properly knocked sideways by this news. Like many others, Denise had a huge influence on me. Including administering a well-timed kick up the backside when I needed it, that definitely changed my career trajectory. That led me to leave her team eventually, but it was her that alerted me to the job at Barb when I needed to move on, and it was her that provided the final reassuring word to my future manager after I'd interviewed. Thank you, Denise, for the encouragement, cajoling and kind words. And cake - obviously the cake she would cook to order for team birthdays! We will all miss you and the great work you would undoubtedly have done at the IPA. Sending so much love to Craig, Ethan and Lexi.
I can hardly believe what I’m reading. Denise was not only a wonderful professional whom I had the pleasure to work with, but above all, an exceptional human being.
I had the joy of meeting her family when she came to visit Carcassonne. We shared such a warm and memorable moment together. I still remember some of her posts that always brought a smile to my face, the cakes she baked for Lexi’s birthdays, the beautiful photo from her wedding with Craig, and all those lovely moments they created as a family. And our comments on Rugby games with you and Isabelle!!!! We will miss you deeply.
I remember being in the office after hours on Great Newport listening to her chatting to her kids before bedtime while we worked on a pitch, and *may* have started referring to her as my media mum since then. So much love and respect for this awesome lady, and feel fortunate to have known her, learned from her, and that our most recent natter was on a boat with cocktails. Love you, Denise.
Such terribly sad and shocking news. Denise was the nicest and most genuine of people. She was a real leader in her field and a wonderful person to work with. All of these incredible tributes, from so many people speak volumes about what a special person she was. Condolences to her family and friends.
I was lucky enough to have Denise as a mentor and manager. She was someone who had a real impact on me personally and shaped my career. She always had time for everyone and a beautiful way of being both kind and inspirationally ambitious in a way rarely seen. She was fierce. I will miss her grounding, wise words of wisdom. Thinking of her family, only a couple of weeks ago, she was beaming as she proudly shared all of Ethan and Lexi’s latest achievements x
Very very sad news, such a warm woman who kept in touch with so many people. Generous, smart and very real.. in all the good ways. My condolences to her family, who are bearing the brunt of this awful news. I know, even though she was always so active, bright and committed to her work, what she really loved was being a mum. I remember being in a meeting with her when we were at Havas Media, talking to her about work and kids (of course, she ran the PTA) and wondering "how does she do it all?!" She was a brilliant woman.
Heartbreaking, Denise was the sort of professional we should all aspire to be. Curious, articulate, deeply passionate, fiercely intelligent and kind beyond words. I was looking forward to seeing her this week. Sending much love to her family and friends at such a sad time.
What a devastating loss. Denise was a unicorn in the media world. Inspiring, strong, kind and a pleasure to have known. Condolences to her family and friends.
Denise was simply the best in class at what she did and a huge, positive force for good across the sector. A lovely, kind, humble person - I shall cherish the many lovely lunches we had together and will always remember her as one of my favourite and best clients. Extremely sad to hear this news. My thoughts are with her family and close friends at this difficult time.
Denise was my manager and mentor. She was a remarkable woman who was generous with her time and formidable knowledge. I can hear her voice so clearly telling me to "do it afraid" and not to worry so much. Denise was a rarity; she never wavered, holding onto her values and doing the right thing. Condolences to Craig, Ethan, and Lexi, Denise will be missed, and I hope that we can all continue her legacy in our own way by being kind, generous and curious.
I’m deeply saddened to hear of Denise’s passing. She was always more than my boss; she showed me unwavering kindness during one of the hardest periods of my life. She supported me with compassion, flexibility, and understanding, easing my workload when I needed it most. Whenever I hear stories of difficult managers, I’m reminded just how lucky I was to have someone like Denise in my corner. I’ll always be grateful for the way she looked out for me. Rest peacefully, Denise. Thank you for everything.
One of life’s genuine, humble, wise, loyal, great, great people whom I was always pleased to see and spend time with. Very sad to learn this, and very glad to have had the privilege of knowing her and working with her.
This is heartbreaking. Denise brought a great deal of energy and compassion to everything she did. Her work ethic was incredible, and she always had time to pause, listen, and, where needed, help. It was an honour to work with Denise over the years, and her memory will continue to inspire us all.
So shocked. Denise was one of THE loveliest people in media and also one of the smartest I ever came across. All who worked with her learned bucket loads, from the ins and outs of proper research to how to lead and develop a team of people, and how to tell a story with data. My thoughts go out to her family. She always talked about her kids with tremendous pride. The industry had lost someone special 💔
Such sad news. Not only was Denise one of the smartest and most insightful people I have ever worked with, she was also one of the kindest and most empathetic. Her genuine interest in people made her both exceptional in her field and a wonderful friend and colleague. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family at this difficult time.
This is such incredibly sad news. Denise made a large and lasting impression on me as a young marketer, and I relished every interaction with her huge wisdom and even more huge heart. My thoughts go so much to those who loved her. Xx