Advertising Hall of Fame member made an indelible impact on the industry
Minneapolis-based ad man Pat Fallon, whose upstart firm once led campaigns for luxury automakers BMW and Porsche, has died at age 70, his company said.
Fallon, a member of the Advertising Hall of Fame, died Friday with his family at his side, according to the Fallon agency he co-founded. Fallon died at a hospital after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, company spokeswoman Julie McBride said.
“We are devastated by the loss of our iconic leader. He was our inspiration, our fire in the belly, our eternal conscience and the head of our Fallon family,” Fallon’s CEO Mike Buchner said in a statement. “We will miss him dearly, but are fully committed to living up to the legacy of greatness that he established at the place that bears his name.”
Originally called Fallon McElligott Rice, the Minneapolis agency was founded during the 1981 recession by Fallon, Tom McElligott and Nancy Rice. In 1996 and 2001, Fallon was named SHOOT’s Agency of the Year. In 2001, the Fallon shop turned out breakthrough work on various fronts. The agency rolled out the seminal series of BMW short films online. Fallon also that year had two PBS spots nominated for the primetime commercial Emmy–”Photo Booth” and “Light,” both directed by documentary filmmaker Errol Morris who at the time was with @radical.media. (The director is now at Moxie Pictures.) “Photo Booth” went on to win the Emmy in 2001, which was also the year Fallon created moving work for United Airlines after the terrorist attacks of September 11th. SHOOT additionally cited Fallon that year for its continuing strong work for Lee Jeans, Holiday Inn and Citibank, among others.
The agency made a name for itself in the automotive industry, the Star Tribune reported. Current clients include Arby’s, H&R Block, Loctite, Old El Paso, Starz, Under Armour and VH1.
Fallon retired as CEO in 2008 but remained as the company’s chairman emeritus. On the agency’s website, Fallon speaks of his company’s commitment to “the responsibilities of thought leadership and social activism.”
The Many Hires Jeremiah Wassom As Group Creative Director
Independent agency The Many has added Jeremiah Wassom as group creative director.
Wassom most recently worked a decade at Deutsch LA where, as SVP/creative director, he led the Taco Bell account and won new business for the agency. His agency past also includes AKQA and TBWAChiatDay. His creative work has touched the QSR, video games, automotive, fashion, and culture brand sectors. He also served eight years with the United States Marine Corps.
“Throughout his career, Jeremiah has helmed work that has not only made me personally jealous but has consistently pushed brands to show up in memorable and innovative ways,” said Josh Paialii, head of creative at The Many. “One look at his body of work and you will see his passion for storytelling and craft has raised the bar for entire categories, driving participation with many brands’ most loyal fans. Beyond being a world-class creative director and maker, Wassom is a proven team player and strategic thought leader. He’ll be a great addition to the leadership team at The Many working across all accounts. His role will be immediately felt as he guides and supports each of the creative leads in the department.”
A 20-year creative with agency, brand, and freelance experience, Wassom has forged a creative approach which focuses on crafting engaging connections rather than simply make ads. He sees the need for advertising to mean more, not simply do more.
The Many believes that true business growth is made possible by harnessing the power of participation and partners with brands to forge deeper connections with consumers, cultivate trust and loyalty, and maximize marketing spend and execution. The agency is built around a flexible model that offers a suite of capabilities, including... Read More