From 'Because I'm Worth It' to 'Coke Is It,' Ira Madris Helped Shape Modern Advertising

The renowned McCann art director has died at age 80

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Few creatives get to see their campaign creations endure for a decade, much less two. But for a line to live on in advertising 50 years after it was brainstormed—under intense deadline pressure? You could probably count that number on one hand.

And among that number would definitely be Ira Madris, a legend of McCann’s “Mad Men” era who in 1971 worked alongside copywriter Ilon Specht to create L’Oreal’s “Because I’m Worth It” campaign, which continues to this day (with a slight tweak along the way to, “Because You’re Worth It”).

Madris

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