Mike Keenan was Gifted Advertising Executive

Mike Keenan, one of the original Mad Men, died Sept. 9 in Falmouth. He was 80.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Keenan was an avid sailor and member of the Harlem Yacht Club. Following studies at Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, Fla., he graduated from Duke University in 1955 then served as Special Agent in the U.S. Army’s Counter Intelligence Corps.

Keenan retired in 2013 after 56 continuous years in various ad agency positions, probably the longest run in a notably precarious and fast-changing industry.

His last position was as vice president of client services at U.S. International Media, successor company to the originator of the media agency concept, Western International Media, which grew to be the world’s largest when it was acquired in the late 1990s by Interpublic Group of Companies. He joined Western in 1985 and was managing director of the company’s East of the Mississippi and Canadian divisions at the time of the acquisition.

Keenan had a long and successful run with many ad agencies in New York, including the famed anchor Procter & Gamble agency, Compton Advertising; Foote, Cone & Belding; Lennen & Newell; Fuller & Smith & Ross; and Keenan & McLaughlin. His accounts included Mobil, Lever Bros., Air France, Michelin, Warner Lambert, Guinness, American Airlines and Heineken.

Keenan also served as president and CEO of pre-dot com crash TELA Interactive, was eastern region chairman of the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As), and a marketing lecturer at Rutgers University and City University of New York.

Keenan’s wit and curious mind will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his partner of 35 years, Mary Winslow. He is also survived by Jane Keenan, to whom he was married for 20 years and had six children. He also leaves 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, at St. Anthony’s Church, 167 East Falmouth Hwy. (Rt 28), Falmouth.

For online guestbook, obituary and directions, please visit ccgfuneralhome.com.

Desmond G. Sharp-Bolster, IRELAND-------www.glenlohane.com

To me, Michael was bigger than life. First getting to know him more than 35 years ago at Keenan and McLaughlin, we had a broad range of common interests apart from Marketing and Advertising to include sailing, military history, etymyology and origins of commonly used expressions. Mike first introduced me to the concept of communicating by e-mail. At that time, I could barely understand the concept but, especially after I returned to Ireland, we communicated regularly through that medium and always had a lot of fun after one of us had discovered the background to some term of reference. I now find it hard to fully understand that he is no longer at the other end of the computer and I offer my condolences to Mary, Jane and the entire Keenan clan at this difficult time.

September 12, 2014 - 12:26pm

Diana Cofresi-Terrero, Hyattsville, MD

Mike Keenan was like a second dad to me. He was one of the best bosses I ever had. He believed so much in me. He gave me so many opportunities while we worked at Western International Media.He brought in many accounts there that were not listed. He was such a unique character. He had such a keen mind, extremely intelligent, and fabulous wit. He WILL be sorely missed.

September 12, 2014 - 7:34pm

Rita Tilas-Klitsberg, Forest Hills, New York

Bright, witty, kind, gracious, elegant, intelligent, warm and a true gentleman only begin to describe this wonderful man who many of us were so fortunate to work with and get to know.

September 14, 2014 - 9:12am

Jim Reider, Ridgewood, NJ

The sad news was sent from the Cape with Mike's obituary. Mike was a proven professional - smart, experienced, talented, thoughtful, considerate. More than anythiing else, Mike was a true friend who will be sadly missed. A great dry sense pf humor

September 16, 2014 - 10:42am

Gerry Wroe, New Bern, NC

Mike was a happy man and very comfortable with who he was. I was always pleased to be in his company. Those around him enjoyed his wit and concern for others.

September 17, 2014 - 3:30pm

Darryl Mitteldorf , New York City

Fond memories of his days at Village View in the East Village. Condolences

September 21, 2014 - 1:20pm

Tim Harris, Pittsburgh

My heart is broken, a wonderful man, my teacher, my friend, a good soul.

December 19, 2014 - 4:19pm

Freddy Ryan, Portland, Oregon

I never met the man in person but spoke with him a few times on telephone, and exchanged a few emails, what an exceptional wit he was and a Sterling conversationalist.. The world does not see the likes of him these days.. And was not that picture of his old face like a map of Ireland..God will be good to him now.. Freddy Ryan, Grand Avenue boxing club, Portland

January 2, 2015 - 9:54pm

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Mike Keenan was Gifted Advertising Executive

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