Industry pays tribute to Individual Agency's Tracey Owens who has died aged 31
Tributes and kind words have been rolling in to The Drum after news of the untimely death of the founder of The Individual Agency Tracey Owens.
It is understood that Tracey fell ill at the weekend, collapsing suddenly and never recovering.
Despite being young, she clearly made an impact on many members of the marketing industry.
Owens and her partner James Everitt recently celebrated the second birthday of the agency that they launched together in July 2008. Prior to going it alone Owens' blossoming career had seen her working at One Agency in Edinburgh, Jam, Tequila London and Propaganda in Leeds.
Tributes have been rolling in for Tracey, who was described as someone who could always make you smile.
Former boss at One Agency Dave Mullen, who is now creative director at Story in Edinburgh, said of her: "This is very very sad news. Tracey was a very special wee girl. Still young with lots to give. She was loved by all who were fortunate enough to work with her."
Lesley Dick worked closely with Tracey at One Agency and saw her progress from being a receptionist to a great account handler.
She said: "Tracey was just a lovely person, very bright, bubbly and incredibly organised. She worked with us for a year as receptionist and then said she'd like to try account management so came to work with me on clients such as Ulster Bank and Standard Life Investments. She had a real spark about her and did incredibly well in London and Leeds before launching her own business. I will always smile when I think of her."
Julian Kynaston at Propaganda commented: : "It was a deeply sad day in Propaganda yesterday and many people were deeply affected - a measure for the affection we all remained to have for Tracey."
Tracey's funeral will take place on Saturday at Seafield Crematorium in Edinburgh at 12 noon.