Bernbach, William

Bernbach, William

(1911–82) advertising executive; born in New York City. He was variously president, chairman, and chief executive officer of his own New York advertising agency, Doyle Dane Bernbach (1949–82). A copywriter credited with introducing a low-keyed, often humorous soft sell to advertising (Avis's "We Try Harder"), he heralded the rise of creative New York agencies in the 1960s and 1970s.