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Industry Pays Tribute to Tim Preston, Beloved MassiveMusic Production Director

14/03/2023
Music & Sound
London, UK
1.3k
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After MassiveMusic reported his untimely passing, friends and colleagues at the music company and in the broader industry celebrate one of the most popular people in the industry

MassiveMusic has reported with deep sorrow and a heavy heart the untimely passing of Tim Preston.

After more than two years fighting cancer, Tim died peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday March 7th 2023.

The music agency posted a love letter to Tim on its website yesterday, to “celebrate the kind, hilarious and multi-talented friend that you were,” describing him as the “life and soul of any gathering and one of the most popular people in the history of MassiveMusic. You were also the scariest vocalist we’ve ever heard in our lives – but that’s a different story.”

Tim’s astronomical career and rise through the company is unprecedented, the letter asserts. After joining MassiveTalent as an artist, he then had his internship at MassiveMusic London in 2013, then got hired as junior office assistant, then junior producer, then head of production, then creative production director. “There’s even a chance Hans [Brouwer] thought you’d overthrow him to become our CEO at some point, but he kept it to himself.

“Not only were you responsible for a lot of great music that you sent out to the stratosphere and is now part of your legacy. You also brought fun, joy, vibrancy, creativity, musical inspiration and a bit of lunacy to everyone you met and every project you worked on. You’re the embodiment of our Massive culture.

“It was an unbeatable fight, although we never lost hope. And now that the unthinkable has happened, the silence is deafening. Never in a million years did we think this would be possible. And yet, the positivity and strength you showed until the very end was something larger than life.”

Tim maintained relentless positivity throughout his fight, posting words such as these in his realistic but grateful social media updates: “The one thing I want to impart on anyone reading this is that I am happy. I am eternally grateful that I’ve been able to spend the last two years with the people that truly matter.”

The letter ends with a touching tribute: 
“How did you do it, Tim? How did you manage to keep photobombing life despite – as you would say – the shit sandwich it handed you?

“We’re in awe of you. And so are Kezia and Margot.

“How freaking lucky we’ve been to witness your personal and professional development.

“Whoever said that all good things come to an end must have disregarded music. While all songs end at some point, it’s always possible to replay them.

“That’s what we’ll do with our memories. We’ll replay them over and over again.

“You’re incredible, Mr. Preston 🌹

“Wherever you are, keep stomping as loudly as you can.
“We’re all ears – and always will be.”


Friends and Colleagues Pay Tribute


Paul Reynolds, MD EMEA at MassiveMusic: “Tim brought fun, joy, vibrancy, creativity, musical inspiration and a bit of lunacy to everyone he met. He was the life and soul of any gathering and one of the most popular people in our industry. A kind and true friend to so many, and to me… he will be missed dearly.”


James Bargent, music production director at MassiveMusic: “The world needs more people like Tim. People were drawn to him for his energy, kindness and perspective, which made him so enduringly popular; the greatest testament to his talents. And while he was taken far too soon, the years he had were lived to the fullest and, as Christopher Hitchens said, ‘it gave a lovely light’.”


Michael Hanney, senior film producer at BBH: “Tim was a supremely talented Producer with a passion for his craft and a gifted ear for music. He always had time for me and our conversations regularly drifted into hours rather than minutes. He was kind, thoughtful, generous and had a wicked sense of humour. He was one of the most likeable people I've ever met and will be greatly missed.”


Isabella Parish, founder / producer at ALL OF US HERE: “We giggled together, we worked together and we supported one another. We presented at D&AD together and what could’ve been intimidating was great fun. We sought each other out immediately at all the events and the room would be less fun, bright, interesting and silly if he wasn’t there. He was my friend and I’m really going to miss him.”


Oliver Featherman, freelance senior producer, Ogilvy: "He really was one of life’s nice guys. Such a kind soul, always happy to see you... Lovely lovely bloke."


John-Paul Hughes, executive creative director at Mind Field Advertising & Marketing: “Over a career in the advertising and music industries, I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of talented, crazy, wonderful people. But I’ve only ever met one human supernova; that was Tim Preston. A funny, weird, loving and lovable man. My mate.”


How to Show your Support


Weldmar Hospicecare, a Dorset charity, took such great care of Tim. Their service is free but only 21% of their funds are provided by the NHS. His family encourages anyone who feels called to donate via this link to ensure all adults needing end-of-life care have access to their compassionate approach and excellent services.

For those who want to remember and honour our beloved Tim Preston, you can leave your message or upload your pictures and videos to this memorial board. MassiveMusic will then print it and turn it into a book for his family. 

As for you, Mr. Preston, keep stomping as loudly as you can.


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