Medical Examiner Rules Ad Exec Paul Tilley's Death a Suicide

By Margaret Lyons in News on Feb 25, 2008 7:55PM

Paul Tilley, 40, died Friday after jumping from a window the Fairmont hotel. His death has been ruled a suicide.

Tilley was the managing director for creative at local ad agency powerhouse DDB, which is located in the Aon Center next to the Fairmont. Tilley was responsible for the "Dude, You're Getting a Dell" campaign and codeveloped McDonald's "I'm Lovin' It" campaign, as well as overseeing the recent launch of Bud.tv. According to AdWeek, Tilley was also in charge of campaigns for Anheuser-Busch, Capital One, Cars.com, Johnson & Johnson, LensCrafters, McDonald's, Midas, OfficeMax, Safeway, State Farm, the Trib and Wrigley.

DDB's Chicago agency President Rick Carpenter released this statement over the weekend:

It is with great sorrow that I write to you this weekend. But I wanted you to hear this difficult news from me first. Last night, Paul Tilley tragically died at age 40. The reality of this news is difficult to comprehend. It is such loss for DDB, but also for our industry, our community, and certainly for his family and all who loved him.

Paul was a mentor to many, a friend to all. His ability to lead, inspire, and yes, entertain will be so greatly missed.

Our thoughts are with his family and with one another during this very difficult time.

AdWeek, Crain's, S-T, Marketing Vox, image via AdPulp]