Apple ad legend Lee Clow retires from TBWA
Advertising veteran, Lee Clow, is to depart from his role as chairman of TBWA\Media Arts Lab and global director of media arts for TBWA Worldwide.
Lee Clow retires from TBWA after 50 years in advertising
Not quite ready to hang up his advertising boots, Clow will transition into an advisory role as chairman emeritus of TBWA\Media Arts Labs - the agency he founded in 2006 to serve its biggest client Apple.
Clow's career began as an art director at Los Angeles agency Chiat\Day (which would later become TBWA\Chiat\Day following Omnicom's purchase of the agency) and spans over 50 years. Over that time he's held roles as chief creative officer and chairman of TBWA worldwide.
Clow stepped down from his role as chief creative officer of TBWA\Media Arts Lab in 2009, handing the title to Duncan Milner.
Clow is arguably one of the most creative minds to enter the advertising industry. Among his long list of revolutionary ads sits Apple’s 1984 ‘Think Different’ campaign and Taco Bell's 'Yo quiero Taco Bell' campaign.
It’s not unintentional that Clow’s retirement announcement dovetails with the international day of love (14 February) and is actually a nod to founder Jay Chiat’s unconventional custom of sending Valentine's Day cards to staff, colleagues and clients.
Keeping the tradition alive, Clow penned a ‘Love Note to Advertising,’ which reads: “Jay Chiat liked sending valentines to the agency. I’ve never sent one. But I thought it would be a great way to end the celebration of Chiat/Day’s 50 years and my journey with the company.”