Former Volvo, Peugeot Marketer James LaMarre Jr. Dies at 92

DETROIT (AdAge.com) -- Adman James LaMarre Jr., who had a marketing career that spanned more than 50 years and an active retirement, died June 16 in his home in Philadelphia following surgery for cancer. The 92-year-old Chicago native worked both sides of the aisle. He headed U.S. marketing for Volvo and Peugeot, and he helped create two Manhattan-based advertising agencies: Carl Ally and Scali, McCabe and Sloves. He was also a consultant to JWT, Ford's longtime ad agency. In his book "Leap! A Revolution in Creative Business Strategy," Bob Schmetterer, retired former principal of Euro RSCG, refers to Mr. LaMarre as "the brilliant VP-marketing of Volvo" who hired the 24-year-old in 1968 as director of market research. Under Mr. LaMarre's direction, TV and print ads produced for auto clients earned numerous awards, including a Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival in 1971 for Volvo. He later taught advertising and communications courses at Fordham University and College of Mount Saint Vincent, and he was a regular lecturer at Harvard Business School and the London School of Economics. The World War II U.S. Army sergeant also produced and directed a weekly, hour-long talk show that aired on New York University's TV network for more than six years. In retirement, Mr. LaMarre was a weekly reader for the Jewish Guild for the Blind, reading from The Economist each week for the radio network of Philadelphia. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Anne, and their three children. Funeral services will be held June 20 at Dinan Funeral Home in Philadelphia.

Former Volvo, Peugeot Marketer James LaMarre Jr. Dies at 92

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