James Webb Young
1973 Creative Hall of Fame Inductee
Advertising, Design, Education
James Webb Young was a prominent copywriter and advertising executive, known for his influential work at J. Walter Thompson and contributions to marketing techniques. His famous 1919 ad for Odorono sparked controversy and sales success, earning him a place in the Creative Hall of Fame. He later ran a successful mail-order business.
Career
In his long and varied career, James Webb Young served as head of J. Walter Thompson (JWT), president of the 4A’s, college professor and consultant to U.S. presidents. But it is his achievements as a copywriter that earned him entry into the Creative Hall of Fame. His 1919 “Within the curve of a women’s arm” for Odorono generated both outrage and unprecedented sales. This was a time when men were expected to smell and women didn’t speak of such things. He shares credit for the development of the testimonial (“Lux: soap of the stars”), the money-back guarantee and the coupon. He “retired” from J. Walter Thompson at the age of 76 and devoted himself to operating as both client and agency with his successful mail-order business “Webb Young, Trader.”
