The advertising industry is mourning the tragic death of Gordon Patterson who was a business director at Omnicom.
Patterson was shot and killed on the evening of 21 July at his home. CCTV footage shows him driving into his garage before he is approached by a perpetrator who points a gun at him. A struggle ensues between Patterson and the perpetrator and seconds later an accomplice comes to the help of his colleague before Patterson is shot.
Patterson was a major player in the South African advertising media and advertising industry and gave more than 25 years of his life to the growth of the industry. At the time of his death, he was on the board of the Audit Bureau of Circulation‚ and was vice-chairman of Advertising Media Association of South Africa.
Chairman of the advertising association, Gordon Muller said, “It’s unthinkable and our hearts go out to Sonia, his wife, recently married. You can’t write this in a more devastating way.”
Gill Randall, CEO of Spark Media said, “I’m so shocked and horrified about this. Gordon Patterson is a big friend of Caxton. He was attacked as he drove into his driveway after collecting takeaways on Thursday eve at about 7.30. He tried to fight him off and another guy jumped out the bushes and shot hit him at point-blank range. He died at 4am on Friday morning. It is horrific and the whole industry is in shock.”
Many have since taken to Twitter to express their condolences. “I was in a meeting w/ Gordon Patterson just a few weeks go. Deepest condolences to his family from all of us at@Powerfm987 and @CapricornFM,” said Andile Khumalo, chief investment officer of MSG Africa.
Jacaranda FM also shared their condolences: “It’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to#GordonPatterson. Massive loss for media.”
