Harold Mitchell (media buyer)

Harold Charles Mitchell AC (born 13 May 1942) is an Australian entrepreneur, media buyer, philanthropist and humanitarian.

Harold Mitchell was born in Trafalgar, Victoria, one of four children. His father was a sawmiller who had to go wherever the work was. His mother left the marriage when he was 15. By the time Harold was 16, the single-parent family was living in Stawell, Victoria. He left school early and worked in the local sawmill for some months and then went to work for an advertising agency in Melbourne, a city he had only ever visited once. He studied part-time at RMIT.

He became a successful media buyer, founded his own company, and led the development of the media buying industry in Australia.

He is the Executive Chairman of the Mitchell Communication Group and Executive Chairman, Aegis Media Pacific, part of the Aegis Group. He is also involved in Television Sydney.

In 2000 he created the Harold Mitchell Foundation, which donates money to various causes promoting community health and the arts.

He has been the chairman or board member of various organisations including the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, the New York Philharmonic, the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum Board of Victoria,Opera Australia,CARE Australia, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tennis Australia, the Deakin Foundation and the Melbourne International Festival of Arts.

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