Harry Herber, The Mediashop`s Group MD

Harry Herber, Group Managing Director of The MediaShop has a passion for delivering on promises and an attitude that demands that The MediaShop ‘goes the extra mile’ - hence the agency’s “Open 24 hours… no problem” payoff. With a BA in Classics and Anthropology behind him, Harry plunged into the media industry in 1975, commencing his career at BBDO. He moved on too the Grey Group, where his eleven-year tenure culminated as Deputy Managing Director.

After being recruited by FCB SA, which later purchased The MediaShop from Dick Reid, Harry was appointed to take over The MediaShop stewardship in 1997. Although Harry discounts his impact on the vast achievements in the media industry, many media commentators continue to recognise them. The Financial Mail presented Harry with its coveted Lifetime Achiever Award. In addition, The MediaShop has on four occasions won The Financial Mail Ad Focus’ Best Media Agency Award as voted for by Media owners. The MediaShop has twice provided the South African Judge at the Cannes Media Awards, with Harry judging the competition in June 2003.

Under Harry’s leadership, The MediaShop has also earned numerous client awards. Harry firmly believes in added value for clients. “Advertising is a business where you get knocked back hard so many times, you have to learn how to focus on core issues to build a successful agency,” he says.