Edward Vick
Encyclopedia
Edward H. Vick is a former Naval officer, businessman and volunteer worker for veteran' causes. He served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War
and received two Bronze Star Medals with Combat “V”
, the Combat Action Ribbon
, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry
. His business career was spent in the marketing
communication
s business, including most recently, the chairmanship of Young & Rubicam Advertising and its parent, Young & Rubicam Inc.
Vick has also been active in veterans’ causes and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Vietnam Veterans of America
for his volunteer work.
in Merion, Pennsylvania
. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
and Northwestern University
, Illinois
, with Bachelor of Arts
and Master of Arts
degrees. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at UNC.
A Naval officer prior to commencing his business career, Vick served two tours of duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War
. His first in 1967 was as a Division Officer aboard the ammunition ship USS Mauna Loa (AE-8)
off the coast of Vietnam. In 1968 Vick volunteered to return to Vietnam with the Navy’s
River Patrol Force
. Serving with several different River Divisions at the height of the war in 1969, he led over 100 combat missions throughout Vietnam’s Mekong Delta
and along the Cambodia
n border. He was awarded Bronze Star Medals with Combat “V”
, the Combat Action Ribbon
, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry
and other decorations. In 2003, he published the historical novel Slingshot based on his experiences during the war. Thomas Corey, past president of Vietnam Veterans of America
called the book, "A graphic and compelling picture of Vietnam’s warriors. A picture that today, more than ever, people need to understand and appreciate."
After service, Vick worked in the marketing
communication
s business for 30 years, spending nearly half of that in Chairman, CEO
or COO
positions. He held one or more of these top roles at Ammirati & Puris, Landor
, Young & Rubicam New York, Young & Rubicam Advertising and Young & Rubicam Inc.
and was chairman of both Young & Rubicam Advertising and its parent, Young & Rubicam Inc. During Vick’s tenure, Young & Rubicam won numerous creative awards and was named Agency of the Year on several occasions. He retired in 2001.
Vick was active in veterans’ causes. He first served on the Board of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, a mentoring effort undertaking in New York
in the early 1980s. New York Mayor Ed Koch
appointed him to the Board of the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission. Vietnam Veterans of America
bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award on him for his work in support of that organization’s goals. He was involved in furthering the causes of veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts through both Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
(IAVA) and the political action committee VoteVets
.
Beyond veterans’ causes, he served on a number of other boards including The American Foundation for Aids Research
, the United Negro College Fund
, The Advertising Education Foundation, and The American Association of Advertising Agencies
. He was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
, the Union League
, Merion Golf Club
and The Ends of the Earth Society.
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and received two Bronze Star Medals with Combat “V”
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, the Combat Action Ribbon
Combat Action Ribbon
The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or...
, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an...
. His business career was spent in the marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
s business, including most recently, the chairmanship of Young & Rubicam Advertising and its parent, Young & Rubicam Inc.
Young & Rubicam
Y&R is a marketing and communications company specializing in advertising, digital and social media, sales promotion, direct marketing and brand identity consulting.-History:...
Vick has also been active in veterans’ causes and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Vietnam Veterans of America
Vietnam Veterans of America
Vietnam Veterans of America Inc. is a national non-profit corporation founded in 1978 in the United States that promotes the interests of United States military veterans of the Vietnam War era. It is funded without any contribution from any branch of government...
for his volunteer work.
Biography
A native of Philadelphia, Vick attended Episcopal AcademyThe Episcopal Academy
The Episcopal Academy, founded in 1785, is a private, co-educational school for grades Pre-K through 12. In 2008, it relocated from its Merion, Pennsylvania campus and Devon, Pennsylvania satellite campus to its new campus in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania...
in Merion, Pennsylvania
Merion, Pennsylvania
Merion Station is an unincorporated community in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is contiguous to Philadelphia and is also bordered by Wynnewood, Narberth, and Bala Cynwyd...
. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
and Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, with Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degrees. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at UNC.
A Naval officer prior to commencing his business career, Vick served two tours of duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. His first in 1967 was as a Division Officer aboard the ammunition ship USS Mauna Loa (AE-8)
USS Mauna Loa (AE-8)
USS Mauna Loa was laid down by Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa, Fla., 10 December 1942; launched 14 April 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Robert E. Friend; and commissioned 27 October 1943, Comdr. George D. Martin in command...
off the coast of Vietnam. In 1968 Vick volunteered to return to Vietnam with the Navy’s
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
River Patrol Force
Patrol Boat, River
Patrol Boat, River , or PBR, is the United States Navy designation for a small rigid-hulled patrol boat used in the Vietnam War from March 1966 until the end of 1971...
. Serving with several different River Divisions at the height of the war in 1969, he led over 100 combat missions throughout Vietnam’s Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. The Mekong delta region encompasses a large portion of southwestern Vietnam of . The size of the area covered by water depends on the season.The...
and along the Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
n border. He was awarded Bronze Star Medals with Combat “V”
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, the Combat Action Ribbon
Combat Action Ribbon
The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or...
, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an...
and other decorations. In 2003, he published the historical novel Slingshot based on his experiences during the war. Thomas Corey, past president of Vietnam Veterans of America
Vietnam Veterans of America
Vietnam Veterans of America Inc. is a national non-profit corporation founded in 1978 in the United States that promotes the interests of United States military veterans of the Vietnam War era. It is funded without any contribution from any branch of government...
called the book, "A graphic and compelling picture of Vietnam’s warriors. A picture that today, more than ever, people need to understand and appreciate."
After service, Vick worked in the marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
s business for 30 years, spending nearly half of that in Chairman, CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
or COO
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
positions. He held one or more of these top roles at Ammirati & Puris, Landor
Landor Associates
Landor Associates is a San Francisco-based brand and creative design consultancy. Founded by Walter Landor and his wife Josephine in 1941, Landor pioneered many of the research, design and consulting methodologies that are now standard in the branding industry.-Operations:Landor offers brand...
, Young & Rubicam New York, Young & Rubicam Advertising and Young & Rubicam Inc.
Young & Rubicam
Y&R is a marketing and communications company specializing in advertising, digital and social media, sales promotion, direct marketing and brand identity consulting.-History:...
and was chairman of both Young & Rubicam Advertising and its parent, Young & Rubicam Inc. During Vick’s tenure, Young & Rubicam won numerous creative awards and was named Agency of the Year on several occasions. He retired in 2001.
Vick was active in veterans’ causes. He first served on the Board of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, a mentoring effort undertaking in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the early 1980s. New York Mayor Ed Koch
Ed Koch
Edward Irving "Ed" Koch is an American lawyer, politician, and political commentator. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and three terms as mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989...
appointed him to the Board of the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission. Vietnam Veterans of America
Vietnam Veterans of America
Vietnam Veterans of America Inc. is a national non-profit corporation founded in 1978 in the United States that promotes the interests of United States military veterans of the Vietnam War era. It is funded without any contribution from any branch of government...
bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award on him for his work in support of that organization’s goals. He was involved in furthering the causes of veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts through both Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America , is an advocacy group dedicated to United States veterans of the War in Iraq and War in Afghanistan. The group claims to be the nation's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars and has more than 200,000 Member Veterans...
(IAVA) and the political action committee VoteVets
VoteVets.org
VoteVets.org is organized as a non-partisan political action committee and non-profit 501 status in the United States. It was co-founded in 2006 by Jon Soltz and Jeremy Broussard....
.
Beyond veterans’ causes, he served on a number of other boards including The American Foundation for Aids Research
AmfAR
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy.-History:...
, the United Negro College Fund
United Negro College Fund
The United Negro College Fund is an American philanthropic organization that fundraises college tuition money for black students and general scholarship funds for 39 private historically black colleges and universities. The UNCF was incorporated on April 25, 1944 by Frederick D. Patterson , Mary...
, The Advertising Education Foundation, and The American Association of Advertising Agencies
American Association of Advertising Agencies
The 4A's is an American advertising agency trade association.Founded in 1917, their website states that 4A's membership "produces approximately 80 percent of the total advertising volume placed by agencies nationwide." The association issues annual awards for the best agencies, in different...
. He was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
, the Union League
Union League
A Union League is one of a number of organizations established starting in 1862, during the American Civil War to promote loyalty to the Union and the policies of Abraham Lincoln. They were also known as Loyal Leagues. They comprised upper middle class men who supported efforts such as the United...
, Merion Golf Club
Merion Golf Club
Merion Golf Club is a private golf club located near Ardmore, Pennsylvania that is consistently rated by Golf Digest, among America's greatest golf courses, and will host the U.S. Open in 2013...
and The Ends of the Earth Society.