CHICAGO, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- AbelsonTaylor, the largest independent advertising agency in the healthcare field, has promoted Stephen Neale, formerly vice president-creative group director, to the newly created position of senior vice president-executive creative director. Neale joined the agency in 1988 and has played a key role in establishing AbelsonTaylor as one of the most creative agencies in the field.
In his new role, Neale will head AbelsonTaylor's full 119-member creative department, taking lead responsibility for every aspect of the group's growth and development. He will also continue to play an active role in the agency's concept development process. He reports to CEO Dale Taylor.
"Our creative staff has grown dramatically over the last few years, making it clear that we needed to unify the creative function under one leader, parallel to the leadership role we have on the account side of our business," Taylor said, describing Neale as the "clear choice" for this new role. Citing Neale's significant contributions to the agency during almost 19 years of service, Taylor pointed to Neale's role in creating some of the agency's most successful campaigns as well as to his strengths as a leader, teacher, mentor and manager.
Neale has won more than 50 industry awards recognizing creative excellence and has also directed some of the most memorable healthcare advertising campaigns in history. Several have received global acclaim, including the "balloon" campaign created for the 1993 launch of the Abbott drug Hytrin (terazosin hydrochloride), whose wins included a gold Rx Club award, gold In-Awe award, and "Ad of the Year" tribute from Medical Marketing & Media
"I'm honored to have been chosen for this new role," Neale said. "AbelsonTaylor sets the standard for creativity in healthcare advertising and fosters a culture that encourages everyone in the agency to step forward with innovative ideas. My goal is to build on this legacy and to help AbelsonTaylor continue generating some of the industry's most memorable and successful campaigns."
Prior to joining AbelsonTaylor, Neale worked at Cabot-Lincoln, a Chicago- based corporate design company, and at Esrock Advertising (now Esrock Partners), a full-service agency in Orland Park, Ill. He began his career in Indiana, designing exhibits for the Indianapolis Children's Museum, the largest such museum in the world.
Neale, 44, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1985 from the Herron School of Art & Design of Indiana University in Indianapolis. He lives with his wife and daughter in Western Springs, Ill.
About AbelsonTaylor
Launched in 1981, AbelsonTaylor is the largest independent healthcare agency in the world. Voted "most creative agency" by industry peers for 11 of the last 12 years, the agency currently has a roster of 40 accounts, including some of the most powerful brands in history. AbelsonTaylor recently moved to expanded new quarters at 33 West Monroe, Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60603. Phone: 312.894.5500. Fax: 312.894.5526, email: [email protected], website: www.AbelsonTaylor.com.
CONTACT: Julie Laitin (212) 286-2424 Cynthia Amorese (908) 665-8072
SOURCE AbelsonTaylor
