David Abbott, co-founder of Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO dies aged 75
David Abbott, the co-founder of Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, and one of the biggest names in advertising, has died aged 75.
Born in 1938, Abbott started his career as a copywriter working at Mather & Crowther before moving onto DDB London, where he was transferred to the agency’s New York office in 1966.
In 1967, he became a creative director of DDB London, later joining forces with Peter Mead and Adrian Vickers to create AMV in 1977, which subsequently became part of the BBDO network in 1991.
Enjoying a long and successful career, Abbott became known specifically for his work for Volvo, Sainsbury’s food and the iconic J.R.Hartley ad for Yellow Pages.
Abbott handed over the creative reins of AMV BBDO to Peter Souter in 1998 after stepping down as chairman. He went on to pen a book The Upright Piano Player, which was published in March 2010.
The Drum understands that D&AD plans to pay tribute to Abbott at its awards ceremony this week.
This image of David Abbott was shot by Julian Hanford as part of the Assorted Nuts project.
Updated:
Abbott's friend and co-founder at AMV, Peter Mead paid tribute him, claiming that when he joined the agency 'it was like Lionel Messi joining Millwall.'