Composer/producer Tom Anthony, creator of the classic “Single-Most Favorite Double in the World…” jingle for Doublemint Gum along with other varied pieces of music which drove assorted other memorable ad campaigns from the 1970s and ‘80s, passed away on Friday, April 5, at the age of 88.
Among the many brands Anthony created for were Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Budweiser, Coors, Michelob, Burger King, Lipton, TWA, Wrigley, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Texaco, Florida Tourism, and Caribbean Tourism. He was an eight-time Clio Award winner, gaining recognition for such work as not only the Doublemint Gum jingle but also Polaroid Camera’s “Get it Now,” Air Jamaica’s “We’re Gonna Win You Over,” “Keep Your Sox On” for the Boston Red Sox, and Diet Pepsi’s “Now You See It. Now You Don’t.” Other well-known jingles he penned included “You Make America Work–This Bud’s For You,” “Say Perrier,” “Ooh, La La, Sasson” and Nabisco’s 1989 Super Bowl hit, “Favorite for Life.” His Coca Cola International “First Time” was sung by Robin Beck and became the number one song in England before going Platinum; it remains a standard today.
Anthony’s Doublemint jingle won an ANDY Award in 1980. In 1983, Advertising Age bestowed upon him its first-ever Award for Music for his Florida Tourism campaign: “When You Need It Bad, We’ve Got It Good,” which aired from 1979-’82. Anthony’s work for Anheuser-Busch garnered a CEBA Award in 1986. That same year The American Association of Advertising Agencies honored him at its annual convention for his outstanding work in music for advertising.
Anthony is survived by his wife of 45 years, Stephanie Fuller-Anthony, and his son Justin Anthony–as well as two younger brothers, Peter and William Anthony.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to The Environmental Defense Fund.
