Vale Dave ‘Devo’ Walden – the legendary, larger-than-life giant of the NZ advertising industry
The New Zealand advertising industry will be saddened to hear of the passing of Dave ‘Devo’ Walden, the legendary, larger-than-life giant of the business who will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Devo co-founded Whybin\TBWA Group New Zealand in 1997 with old friend Scott Whybin (who he worked with at The Campaign Palace in the halcyon days of the 80s), departing the agency in December 2013 after a glorious 16 years of creative and business success. In January 2014 he started his own shop, Boatshed 73 Co.
With the best booming voice in the business, Devo was also the master, master of ceremonies, a role he fulfilled whenever asked, whether it was for the Axis Awards or at several Campaign Brief NZ Legendary Lunches, for which we will be forever grateful. (Such was our regard for Devo, he was one of the very few agency CEOs invited to what was primarily a lunch for creative directors).
On Devo’s watch, driven by ECD Andy Blood, Whybin\TBWA picked up two Cannes Grand Prix, 15 Lions, one D&AD Yellow pencil, six One Show pencils and a Grand Clio.
Here is the tribute video played on that special night starring the likes of Roy Meares, Mike Hutcheson, Andy Blood and Barbara Chapman amongst other NZ industry figures.
Devo is survived by his wife Annie and two children Joanna and Michael.
1 Comment
Dearest Dave,
I don’t know quite how to write this.
I guess the first mistake is to type it.
My hand writing is still pretty good but it’s just easier to type as there is no spell check on my note paper.
Anyway, I just want to say how much we / I enjoyed our youth I have indelible memories in my mind of adventures we have shared.
From trips to Bay Park in Westies Model A with Brian’s tent in the back to frivolous times on the road in the Sprite [D.O Don’t put the boards out yet] and of course the big “O”
From those early years to the present you have always been a character
larger than life itself.
You have succeeded in ways that many people only dream of.
The fact that things aren’t going as well as they should right now be most likely the result of having lived 5 lifetimes in one.
Dave, you have so much dignity and I am sure you will leave a legacy of fun and indulgent beauty behind.
You will always be remembered by those that have had the privilege of your company.
Your way of celebrating life has always been a constant.
Life is fragile and we are all only mortal.
The fact that some are called earlier than others is testament to the fact that some
live a fuller life.
And I am sure you will not be questioned on that point.
I am grateful that we have had the time to reconnect over the past few years.
Although we haven’t seen each other for some time it has been in our common industry that we have somehow been connected all through our absence.
The fact that we had the most positive and decadent day together at your home is testament that old friends just pick up where they left off in their youth.
I have found it difficult to keep in touch as I simply don’t know how to.
Derek keeps me up to date with your illness and the best I find I can do is feel helpless.
Dave, you will always be special to me as I have not had a friend quite like you.
Annie is a beautiful lady and your family, although we haven’t met, I am sure will be a great support during this difficult period.
I can’t begin to imagine how challenging life is right now for all of you.
I’m not sure how to finish this letter apart from wishing you the best and please put some steam aside for me.
Love.Always.
OZ