Gilda Louise Witte
Leading marketing guru who spearheaded action for ovarian cancer
DURING A 1 2 - y e a r stretch as head of marketing at BBC Online, Gilda Louise Witte, who has died aged 52, proved to be energetic and creative. But her feminist instincts and concern about ovarian cancer soon led her to spread her wings into the field of charity and cancer awareness.
She was appointed marketing head at BBC Online in 1999, and in 2003 became head of marketing for BBC Radio where she was responsible for creating and marketing the brands for the BBC’s first forays into digital-only radio stations, including BBC Asian Network and 5 Live Sports Extra. Witte had a passion for radio and was such an avid listener of such programmes as and that it was often remarked that she knew more about programming than many of the producers
Gilda Witte was born into a north London family, the middle child of three. A childhood typical of the area and the era took her to Whitefield School near London’s Brent Cross. She grew up in the house she was born in, and over the years the family attended Golders Green Synagogue, in Dunstan Road, where her parents Alan and Rosalind Witte are still members.
A degree in business studies at Aston University in Birmingham was the spring-board for a 30-year career in marketing, characterised by vigour and innovation. A graduate traineeship at Dairy Crest Foods soon led to positions in the food and drink industry, marketing household brands such as Foster’s Lager and Threshers Wine Shops.
Becoming director of marketing and fundraising for BBC in 2009, she introduced the character Blush as Pudsey Bear’s new female sidekick and delivered a record £40 million in her final campaign year.
In2011shelefttheBBCtobecomeCEO of Ovarian Cancer Action, combining her profound understanding of marketing with her vitality and first-class communication skills, rebranding the charity and uniting clinicians, researchers and supporters. She emphasised preventionandearlydiagnosis,spurred on by her long-held feminist principles as she campaigned for better treatments and awareness for women with ovarian cancer.
She also discovered an appetite for science. Despite little scientific background, she learnt to understand medical research, so enabling her to steer the charity effectively.
She brought new focus to hereditary aspects of ovarian cancer, some forms occuring more frequently among Ashkenazi women. She said: “I pride myself on making the complicated simple and finding ways to communicate, which connect with people emotionally and rationally.”
Until well into her 30s, Witte had been adamant she would never marry or have children. Although it was rare for her to change her mind once it was made up, she “ate humble pie” on both counts. Her children Victoria and Noah were born in 2002 and 2005 respectively and in 2013, she married Tim Bluck, her partner of 20 years. She brought the house down as she entered to the strains of Etta James singing
She was proud of her Jewish roots and her dedication to family was unshakeable. She saw the value and the importance of family teas, Friday night dinners and Passover seders.
As the older generation of her family passed away, she began to play her part in maintaining traditions with a huge sense of fun.
In spring of 2014 she was diagnosed with cancer and withstood the disease for two and a half years. Shortly prior to her passing, she prepared exquisite memory boxes for her children. A fortnight later, hundreds gathered for a memorial to celebrate her life. The event was organised by Witte herself, from the speakers, to the reading of
to the scones with clotted cream. In life and in death she did everything beautifully.
She is survived by her husband, her children, parents and her brother and sister Roger and Alison Witte. Gilda Witte: Born July 24, 1964; died September 17, 2016