Remembering Jack Tauss

Longtime ADC exec and supporter dies, 90

The One Club for Creativity sadly acknowledges the passing of advertising exec and ADC mainstay Jack Tauss, who died peacefully here in New York several weeks ago at the age of 90. And while his accomplishments in the worlds of advertising, packaging, product and book design are considserable, we salute Jack for his commitments to the betterment of our industry in general and our organization in particular.

Born in 1928 in the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan to Hungarian immigrants, Jack was a lifelong resident of New York City. In the late 1960s, while working for Holt Rinehart and Winston, he designed the cutting edge IMPACT SERIES for young readers. He was also the design director of Macmillan Publishing Company and later became creative director at the Franklin Library, where he won numerous awards for his art direction from ADC, the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the Society of Illustrators. Jack taught Advertising Design at Pratt Institute, and lectured at many art schools about graphic design careers.

 Jack was most proud of his executive responsibilities as a past president and member of the board of directors of the Type Directors Club, as well as executive producer and chairman of the ADC Hall of Fame, where he worked with laureates such as Richard Avedon, Gordon Parks, The Warhol Foundation and many more.

"Jack was a longtime member of the Art Directors Club, but seemed ageless," remembers Myrna Davis, who served as ADC's Executive Director for 24 years. "When I joined in 1993, Jack would drop by frequently, always dressed elegantly, and always with a smile. It was a period of transition for the Club, and Jack kept up with the times. He did a wonderful job at organizing the Hall of Fame Awards, and was quick to offer his friendship and support." Olga Grisaitis, retired ADC Director of Operations fondly agrees. "Jack was very warm and friendly, and at the Hall of Fame ceremonies, he would always thank me publicly from the stage — but he'd pronounce my last name as "Gristedes". I think he thought I was of the famous Manhattan supermarket chain."

Jack is survived by his two loving and devoted sons Marc and Ian, as well as two grandchildren. Additionally he is survived by sisters Margie Pantier and Emma Schnapp, several cousins, and many nieces and nephews.