Ad Legend Len Potts Has Passed Away

Len Potts, the creative mind behind some of New Zealand’s most memorable ad campaigns, passed away peacefully at home on 5 October after a short illness. He was only a few days short of his 75^th birthday.

Known for his Kiwi voice, which he lent to BNZ for its landmark ‘Who are we’ campaign. Instead of using the British accent which had always been used in Kiwi advertising, Potts established BNZ as a home-grown bank in using his own voice.

Potts worked on the BNZ ad during his tenure at Colenso, which at the time was still located in Wellington. It was at this agency, working alongside his good mate and other industry stalwart Roger MacDonnell, that Potts would carve out his legendary status.

Of all the great campaigns developed by Potts the one that has really come to symbolise his brilliance was Toyota’s Crumpy and Scotty ad.

Potts is survived by his wife Judy and four children.