Denise Turner was a highly respected and much-loved figure in the media industry.
With more than 30 years’ experience in research, Denise began her career at BBH before going on to hold roles at Leo Burnett, Zenith, and Havas Media.
In April 2015, she joined Newsworks to lead our insight programme — championing the value of news brands to advertisers and agencies, and ensuring our research was truly best in class.
She did just that. During her tenure, Newsworks conducted and released a series of award-winning research projects, including ‘Planning for Profit’, ‘How People Buy’ and ‘Getting Close to the Great British Public’.
Denise’s expertise and kindness made her an invaluable mentor to many at Newsworks and beyond. Her influence extended across the industry — she was a former chair of the Media Research Group, served on the IPA’s Television Research Advisory Group for over 20 years, and played a key role in the development of TouchPoints.
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the industry, Denise was made a fellow of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising in 2009. More recently, she became a member of WACL and was appointed to the PAMCo board.
After leaving Newsworks in 2022, Denise took on the role of CEO at Route, the industry’s measurement body for outdoor media, before becoming research director at the IPA earlier this year — a position she described as her “dream job.”
Yet beyond her professional achievements, Denise was above all a devoted wife to Craig and a proud mother to Ethan and Lexi. She loved her life in Salisbury, was an avid supporter of Bath Rugby, and was well-known for her homemade marmalade, chutneys and jams.
Denise will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and the entire media community — but her warmth, wisdom and legacy will continue to inspire us all.
