Barry McIlheney was the launch editor of Empire magazine and a former CEO of the PPA.
The PPA posted the following on its website: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Barry McIlheney, former CEO of the PPA.
“Barry was a passionate champion of our sector, the magazine brands it represents, and the talented journalists at the heart of it. During his time as CEO of the PPA, he worked closely with members to champion the industry’s role in UK culture and business, helping keep publishing relevant and respected through times of change.
“We will pay our respects to his career and various roles in the publishing sector and at the PPA in the coming days. On behalf of the PPA and our members, we extend our deepest sympathies to Barry’s family, friends, and former colleagues.”
Empire magazine posted an obituary on its website.
Andy Cowles wrote the following tribute on LinkedIn about his friend and colleague: “Baz is an absolute giant of the publishing industry. His accomplishments are vast. The most successful editor ever of Smash Hits, Managing Director of Emap Metro, CEO of the PPA. And the launch editor of Empire magazine.
“Inventing magazines is stressful. At one point Baz blew so much cigarette smoke into his Mac's disc drive that it gummed up and totally stopped working. But at no point did he ever let anything, big or small, get in the way of the bigger picture. He was the greatest team leader.”
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