Rubye Hardy

Paul was a person who cared about people. How do I know?
In November 2006 our department was short a person due to illness, and we were told we couldn't have a freelancer for more than 3 weeks not nearly enough time to catch up with
all of the work.

When Paul was made aware of this he didn't hesitate to e-mail and let me know we would have that spot filled until the person on medical leave returned. He also let me know it was important to him to make our loads lighter.

It might seem small to some people, but to me it kept us from drowning and I did let him know that.

I will truly miss seeing Paul in the halls. I pray that God gives his family the needed strenght to endure this profound loss.

Posted by Rubye Hardy | February 25, 2008 6:19 PM

susie steinberg

You couldn't barely be in a room with Paul without cracking a smile, or laughing out loud. The guy was a virtual stand-up comic. Sharp-witted, smart, kind, and above all fair.

As a DDB creative recruiter, I would tell all the headhunters with whom we work about Paul. Then they'd meet him, and call me up and say,"Wow. Now I know what you were talking about. What an amazing guy."

What an amazing guy.

He will be greatly missed.

Posted by susie steinberg | February 25, 2008 6:40 PM

Jay Farrell

I am stunned. How do we reconcile the loss of such a wonderful person...such a wonderful talent? I wish I knew.

Posted by Jay Farrell | February 25, 2008 7:49 PM

Dave Wilcox

When we won the US WEST business, I was, with Paul, placed on the management team. His office was just down the hall, and I was really glad. The team structure worked well with that account, and as the group media director, it was great for me to be able to just walk down the hall and kick ideas around with Paul. He was great at being able to see the core of a good idea, even if it was buried under a lot of chaff.

We found ourselves together on several trips out to Denver and Phoenix, and I always loved watching him present work. I loved his sense of humor and timing, and his good nature.

I wish I had his gift for words, so I would be able to better say how I am feeling now.

Godspeed, Paul Tilley. You will be missed.

Posted by Dave Wilcox | February 25, 2008 9:02 PM

Jasmine Montoya

Why would he take his own life? This doesn't sound like the man I knew, the man I knew, wouldn't do something like this. He must have been really stressed with work and etc. I went to college with this man.....May he R.I.P

-Jasmine

Posted by Jasmine Montoya | February 25, 2008 9:22 PM

Emily Shepard

Paul Tilley scared the crap out of me.
I remember when he would look me in the eye and say something terrifying, like
“How are you? Are you doing okay?”
I would turn bright red, stammer something about ads and pray that he would stop looking at me.

See, Paul Tilley was my hero. He didn’t save my life, but he did give me a chance when no one else did. He saved me from grad school (“My hero!”). He cared about how I was doing in the big, scary ad biz. He really wanted me to do well.

I told people that this guy at my work—the head creative guy—was SO COOL. He was funny, he was quick, he was smart, and everyone loved him. Basically, I wanted to be him. Minus the man thing. I found myself so in awe of Paul that my palms would sweat to be in the same room as him. I wanted to impress him, to show that I was worth all the help he gave me.

I didn’t even know Paul a whole year. But in the time I did know him, I found something to aspire to: in my life, if I’m ever loved or admired the way Paul has been, I’ll be the person I’ve always wanted to be.

Posted by Emily Shepard | February 25, 2008 10:56 PM

Colin Costello

I didn't know Paul that well. He came in 1997 and I left in 1998 but he always had kind words for me when he passed me in the hallways. And I heard nothing but really decent things about him. Our prayers go out to his family. Hopefully he is in a place where he can rest.

Posted by Colin Costello | February 25, 2008 11:07 PM

Garry Bergman

I worked with Paul at Tassani and had only kept up with his career through the trades. Paul's rise to the top didn't surprise me. The circumstances around his death have shocked me. Even though he worked for me, I was envious of his talent, intelligence, and wit. Having not spoken to him in over fifteen years I'll never know what demons this likable, carefree young man ended up fighting, but I sure wish I had been there to grab him.

Posted by Garry Bergman | February 25, 2008 11:24 PM

Just an actor

Having worked on a couple of Pauls spots, I just wanted to leave a short note expressing my shock and deep sadness - and the hope that warm memories will eventually ease the pain that his real and agency families are feeling. I'm very sorry for your loss.

Posted by Just an actor | February 25, 2008 11:42 PM

Cole Taylor

I didn't know Paul, only his work. This man will live on, though, through his family, his friends and his art. May he live on, forever young.

Posted by Cole Taylor | February 25, 2008 11:55 PM

Jeremy Warshaw

I've been in this business for over 30 years (Christ!) and I've worked with some sinners and some saints. I never knew this guy but I'm very saddened that a 40 yr old person at the top of his game wpuld be so distressed that he took his own life. It makes you angry that we couldn't have prevented this from happening. It seems like he cared greatly about the people around him and the work itself and it makes you think that however much we all present our happy driven selves each of us is an individual with fears and worries and concerns.
People hold so many secrets and all we can do is to try a little harder to show we care and that we don't judge. I send my deepest condolences to Paul's family. And maybe the good folks at DDB might apply their awesome talents to a pro bono effort aimed in some way at mental illness or suicide prevention.
No-one understands the way people think better than this industry. Maybe we can honor his memory in a way that only we can.
Peace.

Posted by Jeremy Warshaw | February 26, 2008 1:01 AM

Kate Andrews

Kate Andrews(Kraj)

I had the pleasure of working with Paul on US WEST in the late 90s. We worked our butts off and it was the most fun I’ve had in my career - thanks to Paul.

There are so many stories. Like the time after a new business pitch the prospective client was introduced to Paul and said, “Oh, you’re the creative, so do something creative.” without skipping a beat Paul responded with “how about an interpretive dance” and started leaping about the room. Or the time we had to list our “passions” in bios for a pitch. We put boring stuff like “gardening” and "film" Paul put “anything in a cream sauce.”

An unimaginable tragedy. My thoughts are with you all.

Posted by Kate Andrews | February 26, 2008 5:56 AM

Kate Andrews

Kate Andrews (Kraj)

I had the pleasure of working with Paul on US WEST in the late 90s. We worked our butts off and it was the most fun I’ve had in my career - thanks to Paul.

There are so many stories. Like the time after a new business pitch the prospective client was introduced to Paul and said, “Oh, you’re the creative, so do something creative.” without skipping a beat Paul responded with “how about an interpretive dance” and started leaping about the room. Or the time we had to list our “passions” in bios for a pitch. We all put boring stuff like “gardening” and film Paul put, “anything in a cream sauce.”

An unimaginable tragedy. My thoughts are with you all.

Posted by Kate Andrews | February 26, 2008 5:58 AM

alan spindle

I barely knew Paul, but I picked up that larger-than-life vibe from him whenever our paths crossed.

Even if he didn't say anything (he usually did) he had a look that gave you the feeling he had just seen something exceptionally amusing.

There must be a lot of people like me: unsurprised at his success, shocked at what's happened, hopeful that we can learn from it.

I hope his family can find peace in their memories of him.

Posted by alan spindle | February 26, 2008 6:32 AM

peace

The ice grew thin under his feet, if only he could hang on long enough for the ground to become stable again...

Christina, Caroline and Margaret take comfort that he did not wish this for you.

Posted by peace | February 26, 2008 7:03 AM

David Everitt-Carlson

I didn't know Paul at all. I live far, far away, in Vietnam. But his death touched me all the way over here. I worked at Leo Burnett in Chicago in the 90s and was transferred to Korea in 95 as VP/ECD. A man in line for the throne at Hyundai corp leaped to his death one day just after the Asian financial crash in 97. He was the son of the founder and I had just started my very small agency using all the money I had saved from Burnett over the years. The currency had just devalued by 50% and both of us had very different lives, but the same problem. 97 was also when Paul went to work at DDB – only a degree or two of separation I'm sure. My how small the world becomes. I have made a personal entry on my blog if you care to read more. My deepest condolences to all his family and friends.

Posted by David Everitt-Carlson | February 26, 2008 7:16 AM

Joe Talcott

I had the great pleasure of working with Paul in 2003 & 2004. He had great talent, a keen sense of irony and humour and patience with clients (like me). In the past three years, when I would read his name or talk with a colleague about those days, I would smile, remembering the fun we shared in the midst of all the pressures and demands of work. At least those memories survive.

Posted by Joe Talcott | February 26, 2008 12:15 PM

Lisa Cosgrove

You don't even have to know someone to know that their passing is a great sorrow. Having read the beautiful tributes to Paul Tilley, simply because I was saddened to read of such an untimely death, I now know just how great that sorrow was to those who knew, admired and loved him. What a wonderful man to have inspired such beautiful words. He lives on with love and regard in your hearts and minds - how beautiful a tribute is that to a life well lived. I wish you all, and especially his family, peace and comfort.

Posted by Lisa Cosgrove | February 26, 2008 2:31 PM

Eric Revels

I worked with Paul at JWT. When Johnny Carson was still a recent memory on the Tonight
Show, Paul would do a spot-on Ed McMahon to my Johnny impression. There were many times when he would drop in a “You are corr-ECT sir” after something I said in a meeting and break up the room. He could also startle the crap out of you with the “Ed laugh” when you least expected it. He will be greatly missed.

Posted by Eric Revels | February 26, 2008 4:56 PM

chuck hipsher

i never met paul, but his work met me. in many forms. in memorable ways. as a fellow adman, i just wanted to extend sympathy to the ddb family. i know how tight you guys are. and how tough this time must be... a prayer for you all and of course, paul's family.

Posted by chuck hipsher | February 26, 2008 6:17 PM

Grant Martin

I didn't know Paul that well but I did work with him on several occasions over the years and found him to be bright, engaging and very funny. I am very saddened to hear of his passing and I pray for his family, friends and colleagues during this tragic time.

Rest in Peace, Paul.

Posted by Grant Martin | February 26, 2008 9:14 PM

Dawn Dingman

Paul and I were sent to Cannes in the 90's as part of a young creatives program, which involved competing in a print contest.
After spending so long in dark rooms watching ads, I wanted go concept at the beach. But we weren't staying at one of the fancy hotels on the water with the chairs and the waiters, instead I dragged him to the public beach. Paul sat there on the hot sand, sweating in the sun and joking about how much he was sweating. That boy could really sweat. We worked and worked. I offered to go elsewhere, but he insisted he was fine.
I think of Paul in that moment being both funny and kind, but most of all working hard to nail the assignment. He really loved advertising. Sunburn be damned.
Paul, you will be missed.

Posted by Dawn Dingman | February 26, 2008 9:29 PM

Jon Krevolin

I met Paul Tilley twice. That was it.

Yet, I feel like I knew him pretty well. Like he was a buddy. A good guy. A funny guy. He seemed to have everything going for him. That's why I was stunned to read the news.

I remember a whole conversation we had about taking our daughters to the American Girl Store. Being "guy's guys", we of course shared a similarly sarcastic perspective on the whole thing. And we laughed. Which sounds like how most of his conversations went.

I'm just sorry to hear what happened. It's sad. Very sad.

Posted by Jon Krevolin | February 26, 2008 10:00 PM

Lubow

Though I am retired from advertising, I still follow the industry out of nostalgia. I was deeply saddened to hear about Paul Tilley. Paul and I were hired the same week in 1992, into the same group at JWT, me as junior copywriter, he as copywriter. so we hung out quite a bit in the early 90s both in and out of the office. I will remember him as very smart, very funny. JWT was pretty clique-ish when it came to creative status. Those in the "cool group" looked down at our Kraft group as being a bunch of "hacks." I was so new to the business I hadn't even heard that term before. Yet I still naively wanted to be transferred to the "cool" group. Paul had a definite point of view about this cliquish creative elitism. He helped me to realize I was not a hack, that great work could be done in any group for any client, and that caring about a client's business by giving them work you believe will generate the biggest results does not make you a creative sell-out. I left Chicago for Manhattan years ago and hadn't spoken to or seen Paul for well more than a decade. But as I built my own ad agency, I believe his inspiration helped me bring in both One Show pencils and big billings in non-mutually exclusive ways. Thank you Paul Tilley for being one of the "good ones" I've known in my ad career.

Posted by Lubow | February 26, 2008 10:57 PM

Adam Nowak

I’ll never forget Paul. His genuine concern for others well being. His bellowing laugh. His perfectly simple yet ingeniously funny and original analogies. His hilarious, spot-on impressions. Like “The Christopher Walken,” and “The Mid-Evil King Who Sounds Kinda Feminine,” and the countless other ones that kept his guys laughing when times got stressful. He was a great man and a great boss. And my first boss. He led my first big project. He sold my first big TV spot. He patted me on the back after my first big success. And, a few months later, he had my back after my first big screw up. Which meant the world to me.

I wish you would have known how awesome of a person you were, Paul. Thank you for everything.

Posted by Adam Nowak | February 27, 2008 1:36 AM

robin kurzer

I didn't know Paul well, but i worked with him off and on, on projects here and there. I didn't always see eye to eye with him, but I had to admire someone who believed in themselves and I always thought he did. I truly hope he has found his peace.

Posted by robin kurzer | February 27, 2008 2:04 AM

Susan Paul

I worked at JWT Chicago when Paul was there, working for Nina DeSesa. I wanted to write a note because I have been deeply affected by my mother's suicide and want to extend information to anyone interested in a suicide support group. Suicide is such a surreal and unbelievable event for anyone. The LOSS (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide) Program is a support group for those who are grieving a death by suicide of a family member or close friend. The LOSS Program is a non-denominational program offered by Catholic Charities. The number is 312.655.7280. I hope that this can be of help to anyone who wants to find out more.

Posted by Susan Paul | February 27, 2008 4:35 AM

Friend

Some of us knew Paul from Northwestern. He was the guy on the front porch of SAE--the guy with a smile and quick wit. He offered up a generous dose of charisma and brotherhood wherever he roamed on that campus. To all fellow NU alums - we all knew Paul was a good guy with a great big heart. We will miss him.

Posted by Friend | February 27, 2008 5:27 AM

Emery Fuller

Life is about chances. And on my first day as an intern, chance would have it that I would be pulled in to work for an amazing group that was led by a great man. Paul took a chance on me. He gave me the chance to sell my first spot. He gave me the chance to be apart of my first jump-ball assignment. He gave me a chance to be apart of a family. My heart goes out to his family and the family I was lucky enough to be apart of at DDB.

Posted by Emery Fuller | February 27, 2008 6:44 AM

Idris Lien

A true original. A massive influence. A very tragic loss. Advertising doesn't have enough Paul Tilleys and now it has one less. A sad day. Our thoughts go to his family and everyone at DDB Chicago.
Farewell, Paul Tilley. You will be missed.

Posted by Idris Lien | February 27, 2008 7:58 AM

julia

Paul, I hope the angels of heaven caught you before you actually fell. You presence and confidence in others will be extremely missed. I hope you keep the angels laughing with your creative banter and your quick wit. May you embark on the wonders of heaven, and may your soul rest peacefully for eternity.

Posted by julia | February 27, 2008 10:51 AM

Colleen Hallahan

I met Paul this December at the McDonald's/DDB Holiday party, and I had a blast with him. He's one of those people that you are excited to meet in your work environment because he made me realize that yes, he is a super busy and professional guy, but he has time to have fun and just be human. I was completely shocked (and still am) at this terrible news and though I do not know him very well at all, I can't get him out of my head. It's a terrible tragedy and it is so sad to know that he had a very deep sadness in his heart that no one will understand. I pray for Paul's family and I hope that they stay close during this troubled time. Someone once told me to never treat anyone badly because you never know where they are coming from or where they are going. I plan on making a conscious effort at doing so, because as we see, even the happiest person on the outside may be the saddest person on the inside. I'm sorry.

Posted by Colleen Hallahan | February 27, 2008 2:56 PM

Ad Person

We get to do what we love to do, and make a living. We work long hours and often get short with people. We pay attention to every detail at work and often miss the big picture at home. We're ad people. Paul's death is yet another reminder to live each day to the fullest and take nothing for granted. You never know when forces from the outside - or the inside - will strike.

Peace

Posted by Ad Person | February 27, 2008 8:08 PM

Ceecy Gunn Robinson

Oh, Paul, so many years passed between our childhood playmate days in Austin and the life you came to lead in Chicago. I, too, followed the path of advertising in Manhattan but have long-since returned home to Austin, where I became a wife and mother. I have thought of you often over the years. I have so many fond memories of my sister and I playing with you and your sister and how our parents were always laughing and enjoying the time spent together. Even then, your wit was apparent and your high-spirits always led us to do something fun and have a good time. I always thought it was so appropriate you followed an advertising career and developed a top-notch creative position. You were a damn good creative director from what I always read in the industry. Your efforts to be "One Degree More" just summed you up. If no one's there to push for excellence, especially as Creative Director, then how does one do the best work (i.e., Dell, McDonald's, to name a couple accounts that blossomed under your guidance)? I was so happy to see such warm and loving remarks made on your behalf here on this site. Your wife and daughters need to have reminders of the sweet, funny man you were and even the hilarious and silly boy that you once were. I experienced a whole range of emotions when I heard the news about your death but whatever the cause, I send peace and love your direction. Your presence will be missed here by so many. My heart hurts for you, for your family... and I hope you are at rest now.

Posted by Ceecy Gunn Robinson | February 28, 2008 2:34 AM

DDB sister

I'm a former member of the DDB family (or I guess I should say, once part of the DDB family always part of the DDB family). I'd only met Paul once or twice--I worked on J.C.Penney and he headed up McDonald's. All I know is my heart broke when I heard the news--this isn't supposed to happen to someone with so much going for them. May Paul find peace and may his wife, daughters, mother and sister find peace and future happiness (I'm sure that's what he'd want). May we all learn to live for today and cherish each other.

Posted by DDB sister | February 28, 2008 4:51 AM

David Pierce

Paul and I worked together at Tassani in the early 90's. He was a young green writer with tons of potential. His success at such a young age was well deserved. We used to tease him about his Texas roots. He loved it! As time pasted we lost contact, but I followed his career in the trades and was extremely proud to have worked along side of him. I feel like I lost a part of my family. It was the worst news in my 30 year career. I will always remember that big ass smile. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. God bless you Paul.

Posted by David Pierce | February 28, 2008 10:33 PM

Janet Vinci

I was stunned to hear that Paul is gone. It has been over 8 years since I saw him, when we worked together on US West...not an easy account, but Paul helped by keeping calm and rational. This is a loss for those who knew him, but mostly for his family. My thoughts are with you.

Posted by Janet Vinci | February 29, 2008 3:17 PM

Tim Souers

So, he’s gone.
Paul was really, truly one of the most talented and funny people you could ever hope to meet.
Which makes this all the more unbearable.
He just made work such a good thing.

A couple things and forgive me if I’m long here:
He was the best presenter I’ve ever seen. In rooms with pressure enough to give most people hives, he could just wow.
He was a real musician.
One time we were at an edit for days, and the editor still needed a “little time”.
They had a giant tv in another room, and remember that first Donald Trump reality show?
The final episode of the season was on, and we all sat down to watch.
Suddenly, you could hear a piano playing in the hallway.
Like, good piano.
We walked out and it was Paul.
He could impersonate pretty much anybody, even you.
He was a giant fan of Elvis, and of…Presidential Libraries.
Seriously.
He said he wanted to visit each one.
In any situation – a dinner, a critique, reading scripts, good meeting, bad meeting, big pressure, no pressure – there was always laughter.
His sense of humor was…not normal.
There was never “polite laughter”.
He was that kind of original/funny where the stuff that came out of his mouth was so unexpected and non-stop that you just fell over.
And lastly, he was a nice guy.
At a convention a couple years back in Orlando, I told him I needed to get some gifts for our assistants.
Paul was an important guy, and of course he had stuff do.
But he said, “Me too. Where do you want to go?”
They have maybe 712 outlet stores in Orlando, but I wanted to be more unusual.
So I said, “Coco Beach has this surf shop where we can get really cool flip flops and beachy stuff for them.”
Coco Beach was also a little more than a hundred miles away.
He said, “Lets go.”

I miss that guy.

Posted by Tim Souers | February 29, 2008 8:56 PM

Brendan

Paul was an old friend from NU. A small group of us have had a semi-weekly email chain for years... which was our way of procrastinating at work. Answering questions like, "Is the NFL making a mistake with Tom Petty," or "If you had to buy a Foreigner Record, which one would if be?"

Those of you who worked with Paul can imagine the length and depth of some of his answers. Essays, really.

Here's a quick Tilley blurb from "Does Bob Seger belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?"

Tilley: "No. Among Seger's shortcomings: Leans heavily on the Mitch Ryder catalog when he needs to round out an album (Devil with a Blue Dress, etc.). Essentially an arena bar-band act. Too many songs about hookers. Then
there's the unforgivable Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack and shameless sale of "Like a Rock" to Chevy.

And finally, I've never liked his look. He's like the Loch Ness Monster of rock. Always in the shadows, a little blurry, we only have a vague mental picture of him in a dirty flannel shirt with the ratty little beard."

Classic Tilley.

The last thing I'll say is this - if you could make Paul laugh a genuine laugh... you knew you had achieved something great. I work as a sitcom writer in L.A., and have yet to meet someone whose laugh means as much to me. Because he always pushed me to find the best joke.

The old friends feel sad for those who did not get "The Tilley Show".

Posted by Brendan | March 1, 2008 4:43 PM

Brandy Isaac (Lynch) - former Qwest-er

My years working with Paul Tilley at DDB were an honor and an absolute pleasure. As most of you know, it was never a dull meeting, or flight, or shoot, or client dinner when Paul Tilley was with you. He was sharp, entertaining, hilarious, witty, but also kind-hearted, compassionate and fair. He loved mayonaise and Ebay like no one else could. He had a mean Skipper (from Gilligan's Island) impersonation. I just want to share my favorite Paul story because I believe it exemplifies the man he was.

We had just finished a long, grueling 2-week shoot in Argentina. It was 10pm and our entire team was boarding our long overnight flight up to Miami. Out of like 18 teammates, I was the only person that got put in coach (I happened to be the only account person traveling - I was a sup at the time). The rest of the team was in first class. (A little accident from travel - we were all supposed to up there due to the overnight nature of the flight.) All of my teammates were disheveled and showed such concern and wanted to fix it for me. I said no biggie and went back to my seat.

We arrived in Miami around 6am. The 16 others were flying to LA. Paul and I were catching a connecting flight up to Chicago. As I was preparing to board in Miami, Paul came over and said, "You're coming with me. I'm so sorry about that horrible slip up. You did a first class job these last two weeks. You should be in first class too." Paul had used his own personal upgrades to move me to first class. I was stunned. It was such a display of his kindness and thoughtfulness. I have never forgotten it and I never will. I am heartbroken for the world's loss.

Paul Tilley's humor and kindness touched so very many of us. We will all miss him dearly. My prayers are with his wife and daughters.

Posted by Brandy Isaac (Lynch) - former Qwest-er | March 1, 2008 10:11 PM

Liz Cavanaugh

Paul Tilley was an awesome creative. I worked with him at Tassani and loved having an office across the hall. It meant I was rewarded with impromptu hilarity, proximity to brilliantly crafted words/ideas and precise summations of the day's events. I remember him referring to a lunch outing with Dave Pierce as an "eating odyssey". For Paul, words were effortlessly; Humor, intrinsic; Humanness, abundant.

Warmth and peace to his family,

Liz Cavanaugh

Posted by Liz Cavanaugh | March 2, 2008 10:15 PM

Christian

I stumbled upon this page, I don't know Mr. Tilley but was moved by the comments of what was written about this gracious man.

I will be praying for his family and friends. They will need a lot of support.

Christian

Posted by Christian | March 3, 2008 1:55 PM

AMG

Feedom to express, wisdom to know when and how. - Peace

Posted by AMG | March 3, 2008 6:11 PM

Heather M.

There are many Tilley stories to share that may give you some idea of why we will miss him so much but one in particular that I will always remember. Paul and I traveled back from China together last year. I had the pleasure of being bitten by an unknown insect that caused my body to swell to something resembling a Michelin Man. As a result I wasn't allowed to sit still or sleep for the entire 13 hour flight for fear of blood clots. So Paul took it upon himself to make fun of me for the whole flight much to the amusement of our fellow travelers and the crew.

His incredibly wicked sense of humor never failed. In times of high pressure pitches and often at the most inappropriate moments Paul would bring laughter.

I hope that he has found his own peace and I'm sure that somewhere he continues to bring laughter and joy.

Your DDB family misses you Paul. Our thoughts and prayers will always be with Cristina and the girls.

Posted by Heather M. | March 3, 2008 9:59 PM

Karim Bartoletti

It was 2 Saturdays ago when I got an email from a common friend telling me about Paul leaving us the day before.

Paul's death is an incredibly sad tragedy.

As a DDB Chicago alumn, I had bumped into Paul a few times in the last months working at DDB. He was a great guy and the world around him acknowledged it.

My love goes to Paul's family.

Let all of the words said and written in these days allow the great man that Paul was to be remembered for a long time.

He will surely be missed.

Karim

Posted by Karim Bartoletti | March 4, 2008 10:37 PM

David Wen

I only met Paul once but it was an unforgettable experience.

When he found out that I was a UT-Austin student, he invited me to his office to chat and answer any questions I may have. His assistant scheduled me for 1 hour but we ended up talking for much longer. He shared with me his life story, growing up in Houston, and a lot of career advice.

I remember his friendliness, laughter and candor.

Posted by David Wen | March 9, 2008 5:48 AM

DSword

One to be remembered with such profound admiration. I never met Paul Tiley but, he became known today to me by the writings and its contents of acknowledgements presented here by those that caught a moment of his existence. With each of the comments submitted here it is indeed wise to uphold what he stood for and be respected for those motivational moments. He was someone that provided the tools needed to survive and succeed within a career path not so easy to uphold. He left us all a message indirectly, the window of an ad is only what we want others to see. It's always the mystery behind the creation of that ad that should motivate others to follow. If you can catch the attention of just one then you've caught the attention of all. Greatness is not just measured by the effect of what the ad will do but what it will continue to do even when you're not around to see that greatness. Paul did it better than the best.

Posted by DSword | April 15, 2008 11:24 PM

Chi-town David

My prayers of healing, hope, and peace are with the Tilley family. I did not know Paul, but was deeply moved by reports of his significant personal and professional life-impact. Paul was granted the powerful gift of creative,strategic wordplay. The good book (Bible) says that words have the power of life and death. Paul obviously used his immense gift to engage and uplift the lives of family and business colleagues. His unselfish creativity also nurtured and inspired others to excellence and produced immense tangible gains for clients/stakeholders. I also have struggled with the complex, and often misunderstood, animal of depression. I encourage family and friends to reject possible thoughts of blame, fault, or "if I had only..." The tragic-death irony is that Paul's internal weary and conflicted soul was not comforted by God's timeless words of grace,strength,and hope. I can attest that no amount of external platitudes he received could fill a broken heart. I will never forget his story. I encourage others, regardless of life position or circumstances, to establish a personal relationship of faith/service with Jesus Christ (not empty religious rituals)as your first source of love and strength. May Paul RIP and those of us who remain, truly live.

Posted by Chi-town David | May 15, 2008 3:36 AM