Raymond Rubicam
(1892-1978)
Young & Rubicam, New York
An N.W. Ayer & Son copywriter in Philadelphia, Rubicam demonstrated leadership, teaching and supervisory gifts. His Squibb, Rolls-Royce and Steinway work fueled Ayer's success. In 1923, denied a partnership, the high school dropout and his college-educated colleague, John Orr Young, opened Young & Rubicam. Y&R embodied a "creative revolution" by focusing on creative excellence. With radio's arrival, Y&R produced popular shows with Jack Benny and Arthur Godfrey. Rubicam resigned George Washington Hill's $3 million Pall Mall cigarettes account rather than replace a creative team. He instituted Y&R research, a trust fund, profit-sharing and bonuses, and was recognized as "advertising's statesman."