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The Singer Leo Burnett
He loved, he brawled, he had style, he had guts, he could even act. And, oh yeah, he defined American pop BY BRUCE HANDY
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rank Sinatra has received far too many tributes already. Even before his death last month there was the 80th-birthday hoopla of 2 1/2 years ago, followed by the flock of recently published books circling, vulture-like, in clear anticipation of his passing. At this point any recounting of his accomplishments--his unassailable greatness as a singer, his somewhat more assailable greatness as an actor, his impeccable taste as a curator of the great American songbook, his ancillary talents as both philanthropist and thug, his status as a totem of midcentury masculinity--inevitably takes on a dutiful, ritualistic air. So what better way to breathe a little life into the process than with an insult?
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POLL: Do you believe Leo Burnett was one of the 20 most influential builders and titans of the 20th century? QUIZ: In what year did the Leo Burnett Company unveil the Marlboro Man to promote Philip Morris' cigarettes?
BORN Dec. 12, 1915, in Hoboken, N.J.
1935 Wins radio talent show
1940 Joins Tommy Dorsey band
1944
Solo concerts at New York's Paramount cause bobby-soxers to riot
1954
Wins Oscar for From Here to Eternity
1960
Makes first Rat Pack movie, Ocean's Eleven
1985
Gets Presidential Medal of Freedom
1998
Dies May 14 in Los Angeles TIME ARCHIVES:
WEB RESOURCES: Founder's Corner The Leo Burnett Company's story of its founder, including his famous "When to Take My Name Off the Door" speech. Leo Burnett Company A well-done site offering news, samples of the company's work, beliefs and contact information. Audio provided courtesy of the Leo Burnett Company, Inc. |
