Andrew Knipe, who rose up the ranks of BBDO New York to become a senior VP/creative director, has passed away after a long and valiant battle against ALS, the neurological illness also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 38.
Diagnosed with ALS in 2000, Knipe spent much of his time and energy raising awareness of the disease and generating fund-raising efforts for ALS research and patient care. He contributed speeches, videos and advertising in support of the ALS Association and served as the subject of a Good Morning America profile centering on the experience of living with the terminal disease.
Knipe’s entire professional career was at BBDO. He earned a Master’s of Fine Arts at the School of Visual Arts, and was awarded the Richard Martell Scholarship which included a paid internship at BBDO, where he was hired upon his graduation in ’92. He first established himself as an art director, was promoted to associate creative director in ’99, and three years later was elevated to creative director and elected a senior VP.
During his BBDO tenure, he contributed to assorted accounts, including Pepsi, FedEx, HBO and the New Jersey Devils professional hockey team. His work over the years earned recognition at such competitions as the Cannes International Advertising Festival, the New York Festival, the London International Advertising Awards, the Effie and Andy Awards.
Even with these professional accomplishments, Knipe will perhaps be most remembered for the courage with which he dealt with his illness, and the profoundly positive impact he had on his friends, family and co-workers.
Knipe, who resided in Oceanside, N.Y., is survived by his wife Laura; two sons, Joseph, 5, and Leo, 18 months; a daughter, Jessica, 18; two brothers, Billy and Richard; and two sisters, Kathleen and Susan.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the ALS Association, Greater N.Y. chapter, and to rideforlife.com.
