Thomas D’Arcy Brophy was one of the most widely known and admired men in advertising during the 1940s and 1950s, noted for endless accomplishments and contributions. Brophy headed Kenyon & Eckhardt Inc. and became an outstanding figure in our business.
In 1986 Kenyon and Eckhardt merged with Bozell and Jacobs to form Bozell, Jacobs, Kenyon and Eckhardt.
Committed to public service, Brophy engaged in so many outside activities that he is said to have devoted as much time to them as to the affairs of his agency.
As an advertising leader he was chairman of the American Association of Advertising Agencies, chairman of the National Outdoor Advertising Bureau, influential in the educational work of the Advertising Federation of America, and a dedicated member of the executive committee of the Advertising Council.
Most noteworthy in his career, perhaps, was his encouragement of using advertising in the support of worthy causes. He was an organizer and chief officer of the American Heritage Foundation, the inspiration of the Freedom Train, chairman of the National War Fund during WWII, and held many more significant roles.
Thomas D’Arcy Brophy ardently devoted resources and time in the reach for higher standards in advertising and in channeling it to the public good. He was one of advertising’s real statesmen.