Published: Nov 03, 2022 08:20 AM
February 3, 1941 to October 14, 2022
Tom Attea was one of America’s most award-winning copywriters and the founder of Heavy Creative, Inc. His awards include four Clios in one night, Gold and Silver Lions from Cannes, the Gold Mobius, Gold Telly, The Effie, and LinkedIn’s “Best of Copywriting.” As executive creative director of a digital agency in SoHo, he won the Gold Mobius for writing the “Best B2B Internet Services Advertisement.” His award-winning works are archived in The Paley Center for Media, NYC, N.Y.
He has held executive positions in major agencies, including Young & Rubicam and the Interpublic Group.
Tom has written copy for Grey Poupon, Dr Pepper, Jello and other Kraft brands, Citibank, Bristol-Myers, Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Fuji, and other top brands. He has been a new product creative consultant to many of the same companies. As the internet expanded, he primarily wrote in digital media. He is the author of three books on creative advertising.
From the Kirkus Review of his latest book, The Creative Copywriter’s Companion: “A copywriting pro reveals all … a highly instructional guide to the creation of effective advertising … Brimming with wisdom and good-natured copywriting guidance … For those mystified by advertising copywriting or anyone who hopes to enter the profession, this book is sure to fit the bill.”
Tom attended Duquesne University and earned a Doctor of Optometry degree at Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He has a broad education that encompasses science and art. The combination informs his work.
He supported his literary work as a freelance copywriter.
After his arrival in New York, he studied composition and orchestration at Juilliard, sight-singing with Helen Hobbs Jordan and voice with David Sorin Collyer, acting and directing at HB Studios, and piano with Norman Gold, John Corrigan, and Milton Kaye.
His literary work as a playwright includes 17 shows that have been produced in the publicly funded Off-Broadway theater. The first show, Brief Chronicles of the Time, was a contemporary revue presented by The Actors Studio, where he was a member of The Playwrights Unit for 10 years. The rest of his shows, ten musicals for which he wrote the book and lyrics and two full-length plays, have been presented by Theater for the New City in New York’s East Village.
Tom received a TNC/Jerome Foundation emerging playwright grant and is a long-time member of The Dramatists Guild.
Critics have called his writing for the theater “Hilarious … and simply charming.” – The Village Voice; “Delightfully funny … humorous and thoughtful.” – The Villager; “Compelling … good storytelling” – Theater Pizzazz; “Inspiring,” – INNewYork.com; “Written with a great understanding of today’s politics.” – AXS.com.
Tom was a member of The Dramatists Guild.
Tom is survived by his domestic partner, Sharman Wheatley, as well as his daughter, Lisa Attea Harris (son-in-law, David Harris) of N.Y.C., and his son, John Attea, (daughter-in-law, Brittany, and granddaughter, Peyton) of Las Vegas.
He was a fly fishing enthusiast, finding his home in Newtown a “paradise” with a local fish hatchery and membership in the Pootatuck Club.
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