Neil Lawrence, man behind 'Kevin 07', dies on surfing holiday

Neil Lawrence, the ad man behind the “Kevin 07” campaign that returned Labor to power, has died while on an overseas surfing holiday.

It is not yet been confirmed how he died, however he was in the Maldives with his son on a surfing holiday at the time.

The advertising executive was hired by Qantas last year to steer their ‘Feels Like Home’ brand campaign, and he was a regular panellist on the ABC’s Gruen series.

Marketer of the Year in 2007, Mr Lawrence was credited with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s successful election in 2007, which booted the Liberal party out of power after 14 years.

He also founded Lawrence Creative Strategy in the same year and had also worked on former Queensland Premier Anna Bligh’s successful campaign.

He is survived by his wife Caroline, his son Tom and his daughter Anna.

This is a breaking news story. More information will be added as it comes to hand.