Founder of agency network ‘by The Network’ and Grey Worldwide creative chairman from 2017 to 2020, Per Pedersen has passed way peacefully after a short battle with cancer.
Pedersen died on Wednesday (4th January) in Copenhagen surrounded by his family at the age of 58, and is survived by his wife Nanna and four children.
Having started his career in the early 90s in his native Denmark, Pedersen co-founded Uncle Grey in 1996 – a Copenhagen-based creative agency part of the Grey network.
After quickly establishing Uncle Grey as the number one Danish agency, Pedersen’s star rose rapidly – and Grey’s New York head office eventually came calling.
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Across a ten-year spell in the US, Pedersen held a variety of globally significant roles, including global executive creative director, deputy worldwide chief creative officer and finally, global creative chairman.
Pedersen left Grey in 2020 to found his own firm, ‘by the Network’, a global industry network of 34 wholly independent agencies which has worked with major international brands such as Snap, Prime Video, Carlsberg and Netflix.
“We will always remember Per for his creative generosity. He was a mentor to so many, lending his creativity to anyone, anytime. It’s what he loved to do. He was also a friend who will be deeply missed by the global creative community he brought together along the way,” Apple vice-president of marketing communications and former Grey Group president and worldwide chief creative officer, Tor Myhren said.
by The Network board member, Tanya De Poli added: “When I first met Per I was immediately struck by his warmth, his way of listening & elevating ideas and his brilliance when it came to talking about the future of our industry. Most of all, I will remember him as an amazing husband to Nanna and father.”
For those wishing to pay their respects, Per’s family has made it clear that all who wish to attend are welcome, details are as follows:
Date & Time: 14th January 2023, 13:00
Location: Copenhagen Cathedral (Vor Frue Kirke), Nørregade 8, 1165 København, to be followed by a reception.
Interested persons should contact [email protected] for further details.
