Jerry Della Femina

Jerry Della Femina is a prominent American advertising executive, author, and restaurateur, renowned for his bold approach to advertising and his larger-than-life personality. Born in 1936 in Brooklyn, New York, Della Femina began his career in the advertising industry in the early 1960s. In 1967, he co-founded Della Femina Travisano & Partners, an agency that grew into a major player in the advertising world, billing $250 million per year with 300 employees across New York and Los Angeles .

Della Femina gained widespread recognition for his candid and often irreverent insights into the advertising industry. In 1970, he authored the best-selling book From Those Wonderful Folks Who Gave You Pearl Harbor: Front-Line Dispatches from the Advertising War, which became a defining work about advertising and inspired the television series Mad Men . His writing and public persona have cemented his status as a key figure in the evolution of modern advertising.

Among his notable quotes is, “I honestly believe that advertising is the most fun you can have with your clothes on,” reflecting his passion for the industry . Another memorable remark is, “Nothing kills a bad product faster than good advertising,” highlighting the power of effective marketing . These insights showcase Della Femina's understanding of the dynamic interplay between creativity and commerce in the advertising world.