jay/day

My Dad passed away early saturday morning after a long bout with pulmonary fibrosis. He rallied one last time friday night and fortunately, with the exception of David,all of his sons had a chance to talk to him. As usual he was joking with us trying to lift our spirits. His wife Allie was with him during his final moments and I can't express enough how grateful we all are for all the things she did these past few years to keep my Dad going. She deserves all the support we can give her. Anyone who knew my Dad knows how much he loved life, his friends, and especially his family. We miss him terribly! We are currently making memorial arrangements. If you would like to contact me here is my number : 707-290-2052

So sad. The greatest art director I've ever worked with, and the finest soul.

The two years partnered with Bob were the happiest advertising times of my life.

Here's an example of what it was like working with Bob.

We were working on a commercial for GE Factory Automation around 1983, at a time when Japan was regarded as an economic threat. So I'm saying, Bob, we got to do something where we mess with Uncle Sam. He's getting arrows shot at him, every arrow is a voice-over copy point of bad economic shit happening to us, Uncle Sam ends up full of arrows, and with the last arrow the voice-over talks about rising unemployment, and we end with GE being here to save our asses.

As Bob is listening to me raving away, he's got this little Bob smile on his face. I can't tell if he's humoring me or just enjoying Evert in some flight of frenzy.

I finally calm down and he looks at me and he says: how about it's a hand slapping Uncle Sam in the face, slap after slap after slap, and finally Uncle Sam's hat gets slapped off, and then in the end Uncle lifts his own hand and catches the slapping hand, forces it down and away, and he puts his hat back on and smiles at us and crosses his arms.

That was it. Evert is raving on about goddam arrows and Bob sees the commercial whole in his head, perfect in all respects.

Genius. And so laid-back about it you wouldn't know at first or even second glance.

I'm trying to remember if Bob ever lost his cool, and I can't, though I have a vague recollection that Jay might have riled him about something. Bob was kind of the explainer-of-Jay's-moods to the rest of us.

Bob eventually fired me because Jay got upset with me because I got upset with Jay about money, and I was acting less than motivated, and it was a very nice firing, number one because I was quite used to getting fired from before, and number two because it was Bob and me so it was just a talk between friends. I remember I asked him to keep quiet about it to my wife and he was cool with that.

That was Bob: he was cool with all the freaks and freakiness, which made him a good lightning rod for Jay.

Bob was basically the most grownup man I've ever known.

His kids and wives are blessed to have had such a guy as a Dad and partner.

With Bob it was never about Bob, it was always about us.

All sympathy to his family and wife for such a immense loss.

Evert

Bob was my first "face" to Chiat/Day. I think Keith Reinhard introduced us. And from that first moment and through my 3 crazy mid eighties years in the NY office he never changed: warm, compassionate, passionate, and most of all classy. A privilege to have known him.
Steve

I met Bob around 1980 when I was a would-be client at Sero Shirtmakers in New York and Bob and Jay were pitching everything sort of interesting to get a foothold in NY. After they made a great pitch and lost the account for being so smart it was threatening to my bosses, Bob and Jay and the other early NY guys adopted me. I got to know them all socially a long time before I joined Chiat / Day at the end of the decade. Bob was always at win or lose gatherings at the Omni Berkshire, and of course at the early parties at Jay's place at Sutton, and he was always warm and funny and kind. I remember talking to him about the Lemmings spot and the early Holland America work. He had a calm way about him, always with a twinkle in his eye. I'll always remember that twinkle, Frank Sinatra in the air.

What a warm and wonderful man. (Yes, and art director, we all know he was tops.) I came late to the world of Bob Dion but I remember his patience in mentoring us in the studio, and of course opening up his upstate farm to the entire agency. Bussing up there with the New York class of '88 (87? Anyone?) was great fun and a fond memory.

One of a kind, how sad that he's gone. Even by someone so on the periphery as I was, he will be missed.

I was sad to get Steve's note about Bob Dion passing away but I couldn't help but smile thinking about working with Bob and Jackie End on Cycle Dog Food. Having been an AE for all of two years, I appreciated Bob's ability to keep everything in perspective. The hours we spent laughing about overweight dogs (Cycle 3) and dogs on death's door (Cycle 4) will always remind me of what a special place we worked.

I'm so sad that Bob is gone. My first experience at Chiat was working with him on the Revlon pitch and it was a really warm welcome to the agency. He was so great to work with - so easygoing and so honest. He was also a gentleman. Especially when you split it into two words. Maybe it was because we worked on Cycle but whenever I saw Bob smile, I always thought of one of those big, happy dogs who just seem to love being alive. I know for sure Bob loved being alive. And when you were with him, you felt that way, too.

YOUR ANECDOTES ABOUT BOB, AS WELL AS SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT HIS CAREER AND CAMPAIGN.

Tom Carroll has asked Jeremy Miller, the TBWA Worldwide Communications director to work with us providing a biographical press release to newspapers and other media around the country about Bob's and his passing.

With the help of many of Bob's friends, family, creative partners, and colleagues, including Jay/Day's own Steve Alburty, I am writing an obituary.

Lee Clow, Steve Hayden, John Salvati and others have already offered up reminiscences both lovely and droll, as you'd expect about Bob. As one of his many former partners, I'm looking forward to recounting some myself.

Bob had a long and varied career, working in several major cities including L.A., NY, Chicago, SF, and Buenos Aries. He served a wide variety of clients and several agencies.

But it is with Chiat/Day that Bob is most closely associated as he spent the largest part of his career here.

I'm going to be interviewing by phone or email Bob's family and friends. If you worked with Bob at Chiat, Needham, McCann or elsewhere, or were his client, we'd very much appreciate any factual and anecdotal material you can provide as we compose a narrative that as accurately as possible reflects his life and character.

Feel free to contact me directly by phone or email at: 310.454.1188 ChanRobt@gmail.com

I spent many wonderful nights and days with Bob in the early days of the New York office and also in Calif. The most wonderful time was in Paris when my husband and I spent a magical evening with Bob. I send my condolences to the entire family. Bob was a gentle man and a lot of fun to be with.

I am so sad to hear that Bob Dion is gone. He was
such an amazing guy. Bob was my first partner at
Chiat/Day and it was the warmest welcome anybody
could have. He was great so work with – and I don't
just mean his incredible talent. He was honest and
easygoing and a gentleman - especially if you make
it two words.

The first project we had was the Revlon pitch and one
day Jay came by our office and peered down at me
over the partition while I was typing. He nodded at my
keyboard and said 'That better be great or you're fired.'
And I said 'Gee, Jay, I can't tell you how great ideas are
now coming trippingly off my fingers that was such an
inspiration.' Jay laughed and walked off. But I was shaken.
And Bob, who had seen the whole thing, saw right through
me, too. He put his arm around me and said; You can pretty
much ignore that. That's just Jay.'

Bob used to say 'That's just Jay' to people about 40
times a day. I'm surprised the therapists in New York
City didn't organize a protest against Bob's calming
influence. He must've cost them millions.

Bob came over to my apartment to watch the 7th
game of the 1986 World Series with me and my
boyfriend. It was a nerve-racking game but when
the Mets won, you should've seen Bob. It wasn't
his style to hop up and down so he just kept walking
around my living room shaking his head and grinning
'God, that is so great. Wasn't that great? God, that
was just great!' It's still one of my best memories ever.

Bob and I worked on Royal Caribbean, Ricoh Cameras,
Cycle Dogfood and other accounts I can't even remember
now. And maybe it was working on Cycle that did it. But
whenever Bob grinned, he always reminded me of a big,
happy dog who is just delighted with life in general and
this moment in particular. And while I may have the dog
thing wrong, I know this – Bob got a kick out of everything.
And because he did, you did, too.

I really loved Bob Dion.

I am so sad to hear that Bob Dion is gone. He was
such an amazing guy. Bob was my first partner at
Chiat/Day and it was the warmest welcome anybody
could have. He was great to work with – and I don't
just mean his incredible talent. He was honest and
easygoing and a gentleman - especially if you make
it two words.

The first project we had was the Revlon pitch and one
day Jay came by our office and peered down at me
over the partition while I was typing. He nodded at my
keyboard and said 'That better be great or you're fired.'
And I said 'Gee, Jay, I can't tell you how great ideas are
now coming trippingly off my fingers that was such an
inspiration.' Jay laughed and walked off. But I was shaken.
And Bob, who had seen the whole thing, saw right through
me, too. He put his arm around me and said; You can pretty
much ignore that. That's just Jay.'

Bob used to say 'That's just Jay' to people about 40
times a day. I'm surprised the therapists in New York
City didn't organize a protest against Bob's calming
influence. He must've cost them millions.

Bob came over to my apartment to watch the 7th
game of the 1986 World Series with me and my
boyfriend. It was a nerve-wracking game but when
the Mets won, you should've seen Bob. It wasn't
his style to hop up and down so he just kept walking
around my living room shaking his head and grinning
'God, that is so great. Wasn't that great? God, that
was just great!' It's still one of my best memories ever.

Bob and I worked on Royal Caribbean, Ricoh Cameras,
Cycle Dogfood and other accounts I can't even remember
now. And maybe it was working on Cycle that did it. But
whenever Bob grinned, he always reminded me of a big,
happy dog who is just delighted with life in general and
this moment in particular. And while I may have the dog
thing wrong, I know this – Bob got a kick out of everything.
And because he did, you did, too.

I really loved Bob Dion.

To most of you, I was always the "computer guy." But Bob recognized something else in me and offered me a job as a copywriter. I actually turned it down! (I wanted to write novels.) This is an example of Bob's generosity. I have spoken to many members of Bob's family during these last few days and when I tell them how "sweet" he was, they all tell me that this is a constant theme they have heard from others. Think about it: if you died, how wonderful it would be to have everyone say how "sweet" you were. What a grand epitaph.

Bob Dion was too nice to be in advertising. It made it all the harder to steal ideas from him (though it didn't stop me). He was as talented as he was generous and gracious. How fortunate all of us were to be associated with him.My heart is heavy at the loss of such a great human being.

Yvonne Smith

It's always hard to lose a loved one. Thinking back, life was bigger, sweeter and much richer because Bob Dion was in it.

I was so young in the business when I worked with Bob, and all my previous experiences with senior creatives had been fraught with fear and loathing. I just remember a kind, smart, talented and patient man who so knew his business, and was never someone to fear approaching. After all my years doing this, my memories of Bob still linger, and make me smile.

Memories tumbling over each other. Way back in the Biltmore days when C/D was more promise than reality -- but what a promise and one we were all dedicated to achieving. I was a young AE on the Olympia Beer account lucky enough to have Bob and Mark Doyle as the creative team. The night before my first client meeting at the bar until closing with Mark and Bob; running wild-eyed out of the hotel the next morning -- very late-- and Bob talking me down from thoughts of suicide. Shooting Medallion Beer (remember that brand?) spots in Miami with helicopters, yachts and Steve Horn and his wife. Sitting in a Cuban bar drinking rum with Bob. An unnerving plane landing back in LA and rushing to a sushi joint with Bob saying "here's looking at you, kid" as he put a god-awful fish eye the size of a child's hand into his mouth. Bob looking at a layout because somebody had called the client to say the beer bubbles spelled out a particularly nasty word and Bob chucking as he shook his head and said "I'll be damned. It does spell it."

It's funny, I know we worked hard but I remember most the camaraderie and the laughter. And the parties: at Bob's place and at mine in Manhattan Beach (I wholeheartedly apologize to everyone stuck waiting in the garage that one night); at his place in Napa when I'd visit. He had a warmth that just spilled out and surrounded you. People have mentioned the twinkle in his eye and I agree -- he saw the humor even when the rest of us didn't. Not that he wasn't serious about what he was doing -- he was -- but he knew whatever was happening at that moment was probably something we could laugh about later. I will miss him the rest of my life. My thoughts go out to his family.

Mike Jaglois

My Condolence to Bob's family, his wife, children, and stepchildren.

Goodbye to a wonderful soul.
Bob was the gentlest of all the art directors I ordered around in print traffic in those "promising" days before N.Y. And Mark Doyle was the gentlest of writers...imagine them a team again. It makes me smile.
I've thought of him often through the years...he inspired, calmed, and humored the spirit...I will miss his loving and caring soul. And his cute smile!
My condolences to the family.
Lynn Petrulas

So sad to hear of Bob's passing. Thank you for letting us know. Hope you are well

I was hesitant to post something since Bob would probably not remember me, yet I could never forget him - besides seeing all those familiar names on this tribute log already brought me W A Y back - thirty years ago when I was a timid creative group secretary (in the days of typewriters, manually set copy, and Jay shouting "you cut it out, well cut it back in!"

After much prodding,I was able to become a 'junior writer' at Chiat/Day - something we all know cannot exist in an agency moving at the pace that Chiat/Day did in 1977.

If I was too scared/too shy/too embarrassed to ask anyone else in the department a basic, fundamental question about an ad, Bob was the one I could go to. His gentleness, good humor, and warmth made me feel like less of a dummy.

I have had many iterations of my life since that time, but the good memories remain - and many of them include Bob Dion.

May his memory be for a blessing.

Bria Silbert
a/k/a Barbara Winkler

left my note on (omg)Steve's Facebook, as that's
where I "saw" the news first.
I came to C/D when Bob was
already a legend, but he
was always down-to-earth with me. As I said earlier,
RIP big guy.

From London. I haven't see Bob for 25 years and didn't know him really well. But he was one of the great Chiat figures who loom large in my happy memories of that time and place. He wasn't fast, furious and fanatical like others (inc me probably) but calm, kind and confidently talented. Condolences to his family and close friends. MTx

I too worked on all the Quaker Dog Food brands (Gainsburgers, Gravy Train and Cycle)in the NY Office in the mid 80's with the two Bobs (Dion and Jeffrey) and Jackie and Susan and Rob Cosinuke and would endorse all that has been said above - Bob had a quiet effectiveness, a wry smile, nothing phased him, a professional througout. And he wasn't scared of Jay, rather the reverse, i think he rather enjoyed his performances. A lovely man.

I worked with Bob and Jackie End at Chiat/Day NY as our super talented, illustrious creative team on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in the late 80's. He reminded me of Santa Clause - jovial, caring and always with a twinkle in his eye. He was a pleasure to know and work with. One year he invited us all out to the country hosting the whole agency for a picnic. His kindness, humor and joie de vivre represented some of my best Chiat/Day memories.

The site and address for Bob Dion's services on Wednesday 20 January are:

Desert Memorial Park

31705 Da Vall Drive, Cathedral City, CA 92234-3277

The address on the cemetery website splits the number with a hyphen and is not understandable to google map or other map sites. And, it doesn't include a zip code.

It might not work on a GPS either.

The address above I got via the Post Office website and does work for electronic purposes.

best,

-robert c

I don't believe I knew Bob or even knew of him but as someone who is an Alumni of C/D I'm sure I have felt the impact Bob Dion's impact.

We are quite fortunate, blessed in fact, to have worked with such a great group of people. I look at my days with C/D as one of the defining moments, not in my career but in my development as an individual. I was able to share hurts, joys and moments of creative reflection during my time at C/D - which has given me unique insights today - freedom to think and create! What a great motto for life!

As I mentioned, I didn't know Bob - but knowing the culture I worked in, knowing Jay, yourself, and all the other "Bob's" I came across in Los Angeles - I can't help but to grieve, with his family, you and those who knew Bob Dion, the tremendous loss of an individual who gave so much to help create not just great campaigns, but a great company, a great culture to impact a great group of people who delivered the great ideas and campaigns that Bob Dion directed us to do.

May his family feel the peace of knowing that Bob is and will be remembered fondly by those who have felt his impact - either directly or indirectly.

Bob Dion - may you rest in peace.

Sincerely,

David A. Chapa

I met Bob at my first job in advertising: Chiat/Day LA. My title was "Production Forwarder," and (shudder) I actually had to report to Steve Alburty. Imagine the humiliation. But ultimately things started to fall in place for me. After becoming a copywriter in NY and having a psycho as my first creative director, Bob hired me to work for him at Chiat/Day NY. At that point, I wasn’t experienced enough to know which was the norm in this business -- the psycho or Bob. Turns out, neither. I didn’t meet too many more certifiables and I certainly never met another Bob.

Bob wasn’t such a softie that you ever forgot he was the boss. He was just a really good guy. He knew what the hell he was doing, he understood the creative challenges and dealt with all the Jay stuff. He liked to laugh, he liked to hang out with us, and he cared for us personally. As important (since we did have a job to do), he was a great creative director. He had super talent, he led by example and inspired the kind of loyalty that made us all work our guts out for him.

It turned out that Bob-as-boss was only Part I of my relationship with him. Years later I moved back to LA for the opportunity to work on Apple with Steve Hayden at BBDO West. To my delight, Bob became my partner there. I was stunned he would even stoop to work with the likes of me. But not only did he consent to the arrangement, he jumped in eagerly. We had some great times and yet another stint with Bob became one of my fondest career memories.

So what’s my point? I’m just sad that Bob has left us. Really, really sad.

If you ever go wondering why agency life these days doesn’t feel like it used to, there’s an easy answer: it’s that people like Bob Dion are incredibly rare.

HOW I CAME TO BE ROBERT

When I started as a copywriter at Chiat/Day in 1977, I was partnered with Bob on Pioneer Electronics. We also had National Semiconductor, one of my early introductions to the world of microchips in which I would spend in various ways (Microsoft, Apple, IBM, etc) a good chunk of my career going forward .

I had actually known Bob a few years earlier. When he transferred back to the states after a stint as CD of McCann Erickson/Buenos Airies, he was given a gig at another Interpublic agency, Erwin Wasey in L.A. where I was a kid copywriter.

We were partnered up then on Gallo, I think it was on Spañada, a faux sangria which they turned into a pop wine for Boomers.

I remember well visiting Bob's Mediterranean style home in Santa Monica canyon. It was a villa with open courtyards and the sun shining through, with his four boys spilling out of the various rooms and down the stairs, and his wife, Nancy presiding over it all.

It was a happy, familial scene that must have tapped into Bob's Italian roots, and maybe because it was some iconic -- almost cinematic, like a Coppola movie -- it stuck in my mind as a short film sequence ever since.

Nancy, in recent exchanges, reminded me that we were shooting a Gallo spot at the house. I didn't remember that. Only the real part.

Anyway, flash forward to 1977. Bob and I are teamed up, he the senior partner, though he never pulled rank or made that seniority pointed.

He was the Bob described immediately by everyone in remembering him, a really nice, genuine guy. And very good at smoothing over the rough spots of adbiz.

Account guys, media people and traffic were constantly coming in and out to see, about every sorta thing, just like you remember. And each time they arrived at our open office space (remember those hanging walls?) they'd call out, "Bob".

At which point each of us would turn our heads, though often as not, it wasn't me they wanted.

Finally, after several weeks of this, I said., "Bob, you've been 'Bob" longer than I have. I'm getting tired of responding to people who aren't actually interested in talking with me. From now on, I'll be Robert."

So, that's how I came to be the pretentious one in the duo.

One of the ways, anyway.

What I remember about Bob.

I remember when I first entered the Chiat/Day offices @ 79 Fifth Ave. It was an intimidating and exciting experience The place already had an aura of legend about it. The place sparkled and so did most of the employees. One of those employees stood out and it was Bob Dion.

Bob, was always busy yet had the time to say hello and offer a few words to me. I remember seeing Bob out and about in the Chelsea neighborhood and he was the same outside the office as inside.

Why is this important to note? Because when I first went to Chiat/Day it was as a helper for another who cleaned the office and ran errands. I wasn't really all that involved or in contact with the employees at that time.

Later, when I took over cleaning and painting and running errands and kow towing to Adelaide Horton, all on my own, I remember the many small kindnesses form Bob.

Later on, when I took over running the mailroom and purchasing office supplies, my job entailed sifting through all those samples from starving photographers addressed to "Art Director" or something. I remember Bob with his warm smile and his sweet character telling me what to do with most of those things.

Funny thing is his was always, and always is, one of the faces that comes to mind when I think of the legendary Chiat/Day office @ 79 Fifth Ave.

...

Bob Dion, here's to a flown sheet, a fair wind, and a fond, bon voyage.

When I started as lowest man or woman on the totem pole at C/D NY, Bob treated me as an equal. That's saying a lot, for a cool hand senior dude like Bob to give a receptionist some of his time, especially when answering dumb questions about advertising -- like "what's the difference between an art director and a copywriter?" Talented and decent. That's a rare combination, and Bob had it. I also thought he wore a mustache better than anyone I'd ever met. I still do. Bob will be missed by every person, small, medium, or large.

So sad. What a great guy.
Of all the gazillion pieces of advice he gave to me first and foremost was to not fall in love with Marty Wentzel. Joe Palladino said the same thing. I had a huge crush on Marty despite them. Love to all of you who remember those wonderful days.

It's always hard to lose a loved one. Thinking back, life was bigger, sweeter and much richer because Bob Dion was in it.

Shelley Menning (Jay's former wife) and I attended the services for Bob Wednesday in Palm Springs.

Nicely done.

True to Bob's character, understated, low key, honest emotions. And
fun.

All this sons were there, plus Nancy and Allie. Three of the boys spoke.

Hal Maynard, one of Bob's many writing (and golfing) partners played Amazing Grace on the harmonica. Well.

Other old friends in attendance were designer illuminary, Keith Bright. And, famed illustrator, Charlie White ("Charles E. White III Rules the World.")

A reception afterwards at Nancy's home up against a desert mountain.

best,

-robert c

Sadly, I wasn't one of the fortunate ones who knew him, or got to work with him. He'd left the New York office by the time I'd arrived.

But I was fortunate to be given his T-square to use when I arrived in my new office. (I think that's what it was called. Remember those?)

It was very intimidating to use, because it once belonged to someone so talented, and so loved.

But the big black markered 'Dion' on both sides was also an inspiration.

I still have it. It has stayed with me during several moves across oceans, and continents.

I had always hoped that one day I'd get to meet him.

My sincere condolences to his family.

Bob and I worked together for several years during my Chiat/Day days. I always felt his conceptual thinking was at the top of the game. He worked hard, he was a lot of fun and he did exceptional work. What more of a legacy in advertising could you ask for than that?