Arthur abbott biography

British advertising executive

David John Abbott (11 October 1938 – 17 May 2014^[1][2]) was a British advertising executive who founded Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO. He was one of the most celebrated advertising executives in the world, and regarded as the greatest copywriter of his generation.^[3] Highlights of his career include the creation of the J.R.

Hartley television commercial for Yellow Pages as well as work for Volkswagen, Volvo, The Economist, the RSPCA, Sainsbury's Supermarkets and Chivas Regal.^[4]

Career History

Born in Hammersmith, West London, David Abbott won a scholarship to read History^[5] at Merton College, Oxford^[6] but left before graduating to nurse his father who was ill with cancer and who later died.^[7] Abbott began as a copywriter working in-house at Kodak after discovering a book at a market stall about advertising on Madison Avenue.^[8] In 19