Top Chicago ad exec Paul Tilley, 40, dies apparently of suicide

DDB creative executive who oversaw marquee accounts such as Dell, McDonald's

Paul L. Tilley, 40, managing director of creative at advertising agency DDB, died Friday, Feb. 22. The Wilmette resident apparently jumped from the upper floors of the Fairmont Chicago Hotel early Friday evening, and his death was ruled a suicide by the Cook County medical examiner's office.

As the top creative executive at advertising agency DDB's Chicago office, Paul L. Tilley oversaw commercials and campaigns for marquee clients such as Budweiser and McDonald's.

Mr. Tilley was named managing director of creative at DDB in September 2006, nine years after he joined the shop. Over those years, he led creative teams that came up with Dell's "Dude, You're Gettin' a Dell" campaign and advertising in McDonald's "I'm Lovin' It" effort.

Mr. Tilley, 40, died on Friday, Feb. 22. The Wilmette resident apparently jumped from an upper floor of the Fairmont Chicago Hotel Friday, and his death was ruled a suicide by the Cook County medical examiner's office.

"Life is complicated, and Paul was a complicated man," said Mr. Tilley's wife, Cristina.

Mr. Tilley grew up in Austin, Texas.

At Northwestern University, Mr. Tilley studied journalism and played bass guitar in a band called Scuttlebutt. Upon graduation, he worked in the marketing department at LaSalle Bank writing brochures and speeches.

"I think he always wanted to be in advertising," his wife said. "He loved words, and he loved wordplay. The thing he loved about advertising was that it involved words in the service of an idea."

A copywriting job followed at Tassani Communications. Mr. Tilley's print work for American Express gained notice and he moved on to J. Walter Thompson, working as a creative director. Over the years, he won a slew of industry awards for his work.

"Paul was a mentor to many, a friend to all," said Rick Carpenter, DDB Chicago's chief executive officer, in a statement. "His ability to lead, inspire, and yes, entertain will be so greatly missed."

Mr. Tilley is also survived by two daughters, Caroline and Margaret; his mother, Diana Stallings Tilley; and a sister, Elizabeth Smith.

Visitation is set for 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Alice S. Millar Chapel at Northwestern University, 1870 Sheridan Rd., Evanston.

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