We were all shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of our friend and Route’s former CEO, Denise Turner, on November 7.
A leading figure in media research for over three decades, Denise was 58 and leaves her husband, Craig, and children, Ethan and Lexi.
Denise was Route CEO from 2022 – 2025, leaving to become IPA Research Director just five months ago.
She began her career at BBH in 1991, before holding research and insight roles at Zenith, Leo Burnett, Havas (where she set up an econometrics offering), Newsworks and Route.
A hugely popular figure, Denise was as comfortable with the high level of setting long-term strategy as much as the necessary detail underneath.
She became a WACL member in 2024 and championed the Club’s goals of 50% female CEO representation, showing huge pride in her role as the first female CEO of a JIC in 12 years. She was also keen to promote social mobility. Growing up in Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles, she was the first in her family to go to university and immensely proud of her career in media.
The IPA made Denise a Fellow in 2009, in recognition of her services to the ad industry. She was instrumental in the development and release of the IPA’s regular Touchpoints report and authored a number of books and award-winning studies on communication effectiveness.
Euan Mackay, who succeeded Denise as Route CEO, said: “You just have to read Denise’s 30 years of why article on Media Leader to see how much she loved her work. But Denise was much more than her job; she was a devoted wife and mother, a church warden of her large church in Salisbury, and a friend and guide to us all at Route. We will miss her terribly.”
Katherine Almond, Route Non-Executive Chair, said: “Denise was one of those wonderful, warm people that give more than they get. She had integrity and empathy in equal measure. In all her leadership roles, through a powerful combination of commercial acumen and influencing skills, she lived by her absolute belief that research should not be a backroom function.”
Our deepest condolences go to Denise’s family.
Media Leader tribute.
