Bradley Hill Wells, 73, co-founder and co-CEO of the direct marketing agency, Cohn and Wells, died Saturday October 22, 2016 at his home.
He was born in Toledo, OH and raised in Upper Montclair, NJ, the son of George and MaryAnna (Nicki) Wells. Bradley graduated from St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH and Princeton University.
After serving in the military, he entered the advertising business, holding positions of increasing responsibility at Young & Rubicam, BBDO and Tracy Locke agencies. In 1977, he became the director of Advertising for Avon Products. Later as a consultant to MCI, he was instrumental in making them a major player in the world of communications.
In 1983, he and Martin Cohn launched Cohn and Wells, a San Francisco based advertising and marketing firm that became the nation’s premier direct marketing agency. In 1994, AdvertisingAge named Cohn and Wells one of the top 50 advertising organizations in the world. As they expanded, Cohn and Wells established offices in New York, Chicago, Toronto, Los Angeles, Sydney and Melbourne. Their clients included Microsoft, Bank of America, Pacific Gas and Electric, Fleet Bank of Boston, Blue Shield of California, Citibank, Barclay’s Bank, Wells Fargo, Borland Software, Pacific Telephone and KQED.
In 1987, Cohn & Wells was added to the Havas-owned international agency network. Cohn & Wells later merged with the French advertising giant, Euro RSCG, in 1999 and changed its name to Cohn & Wells Partners Euro RSCG. Bradley retired from the firm at that time.
A true bon vivant, he loved wine, laughter, food, opera, horse racing and golf.
He is survived by his wife, Stacy (Cowen), two daughters, Amanda and Christine Wells, and one grandchild, Penelope Wells.
Memorial contributions can be made in Bradley’s name to:
Cannon Club
Princeton Cannon Dial Elm Foundation
PO BOX 7788
21 Prospect Avenue
Princeton, NJ 08543-7788
