Member Article

Brass Managing Partner retires after 40 years service

After 40 years in marketing, Mike Black, Managing Partner at Leeds marketing agency, Brass, has announced he will be retiring at the end of September.

Mike started his marketing career in 1976 at Garratt Baulcombe in Nottingham as a junior copywriter, moving to Graham Poulter Associates in 1980, before joining Brahm as a senior copywriter on 28th November 1983. At the point of retirement, Mike will have spent 32 years at Brass (previously Brahm) of which 15 have been as a Board Director.

Throughout his prolific career in marketing, Mike has won numerous awards, most notably for copywriting two prestigious D&AD awarded pieces of work for Porsche and The Yorkshire Dales. He has also been directly involved in many award-winning campaigns, gaining accolades from The Drum Roses and the Direct Marketing Association.

Aside from the many honours, Mike has tirelessly offered his time and expertise over the years to developing the marketing and advertising community through his involvement in a number of committees, most notably; D&AD North, The Advertising Committee of Creative and Cultural Skills, and regional IPA (Institute of Promotional Advertising) committees. Mike has also presided on many advertising and marketing awards panels, including judging the Scottish Roses Awards.

Upon the eve of his retirement, John Morgan, CEO of Brass commented: “Blackie is a ’consummate professional’; he is talented, calm and easy to work with. Several of our clients have begged me not to allow him to retire; testament to his unrivalled talent and ’brand essence’. We all wish Mike a peaceful and happy retirement, the only saving grace for me is, as talented as he is, he’ll never win a round of golf against me!“

When asked about the highlight of his career, Mike commented: “For me, being personally named on two D&AD awards was obviously great. However, I’m also immensely proud of being involved in building Brahm and Brass’ reputation as one of the best creative agencies in the north.“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Brass .