30 from 30. The people who have helped shape the industry and Campaign Brief: Debra Neve

For Campaign Brief WA’s 30th anniversary, over the thirty days of June we’re looking back on 30 people who helped shape the industry and us.

There aren’t many people who have been with us over the full 30-year journey. Debra Neve is one of them.

The first contribution we had from her was a small piece on country radio in our August 17, 1984 edition. Neve has been a constant and much-valued contributor on media matters ever since. The range of media issues she has commented on for us is indicative of the depth of her knowledge and expertise.

When we launched in 1984, Neve was Media Director at Jenkin Morgan Aitken, having come to Perth from Canada for a ‘short visit’ in 1980. In 1985 she founded Perth’s first independent media shop, Media Specialists. Neve quickly built the business and acquired clients including Swan Brewery, Department of Health, Chicken Treat, Big Rooster, Woolworths, Vax Appliances and Tony Barlow – all national accounts.

In January 1994 she moved to Initiative where she spent the next 17 years, 16 of them as Managing Director. In 2011, she joined Mitchell & Partners – now Dentsu Aegis Network – as Group Business Director. Speaking at the time, MD Alan Matthews described her as “…the best of the best.”

Countless people now working in media have benefited from her knowledge, either from working with her or other training. Neve was one of four media leaders to implement the first media training course in Perth. She has also been involved with the former AFA (now TCC) and their media school, and lectured at Curtin University, Edith Cowan University and UWA for their Advertising and Marketing courses.

For more than three decades, Neve’s uncompromising work ethic, sharp knowledge of media and great sense of fun have made her a favourite with clients, media operators – and us.