It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of print/packaging industry identity Roger Coles, former editor and, through his company Associated Ideas, publisher of Labels Plus and Australia New Zealand Flexographic magazines. Andy McCourt fondly remembers Roger.
Roger Coles 1945-2025
'One of the good guys' is often an epithet often attached to an industry identity, but Roger Coles, who passed away recently, truly lived and breathed this descriptor.
I first encountered Roger when marketing the PacPrint 1996 exhibition in Melbourne. His company, Associated Ideas, was publishing the house magazine for the ANZ Flexographic Technical Association - FLEXO. I was immediately drawn to his warm, friendly manner imbued with plenty of professionalism. Flexography was a rapidly rising star process for labels and packaging, as the old perception that it was suited only to 'sacks and bags' evaporated once platemakers such as DuPont, BASF, McDermid and Asahi developed prepress techniques that would rival offset and gravure.
In 2016, the ANZFTA merged with LATMA - the Label & Tag Manufacturer's Association to form the FPLMA that we know today. Roger was an important part of that, supporting it in his articles and wittily describing the merger as "a lengthy difficult pregnancy that worked out well in the end." In 2010, Roger had already teamed up with publisher and adsales guru Matthew Callahan, to launch Labels Plus magazine, which has proved a huge success in the burgeoning Labels and flexible packaging sector.
Roger is well remembered for his enthusiastic attendance at trade shows such as Labelexpo, darting around press conferences and exhibition stands like a hare, with his camera, recorder and notebook. Many a younger cadet journalist could not keep up with him.
His reporting was always balanced and fair. As digital encroached into analogue processes, it was also technically astute and right up with the trends. His magazine carried the disclaimer "Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement of products," - brave words but symptomatic of Roger's honorable approach to journalism.
Roger retired in 2019 and Visual Connections bought his 50% share of Labels Plus. In 2020 I took over as editor for a couple of years and was always conscious of Roger's incredibly hard act to follow.
Roger's famous Akubra hat he wore around the industry and trade shows will aways be remembered as his calling card.
Roger Wain Coles passed away peacefully on 26th February and his funeral was on March 7th. Our deepest condolences go to his wife Therese (Terry) children Claudine, Damon and Georgina and grandchildren Bianca, Lizzy, Josie, Rose, Frances and Tom.
Farewell old mate, you were a wonderful one-off and will be much missed. I tip my hat to you, but with nowhere near the style that you did!
Andy McCourt
