Richard E. Meyer
Encyclopedia
Richard E. Meyer was an American
businessman, entrepreneur
and record producer
.
, a suburb of Cincinnati. He applied to the U.S. Naval Academy, but was rejected because of his height (6 feet 7 inches). After graduating from the University of Michigan
with a degree in journalism
, he borrowed money to start an advertising agency named Meyer and Rosenthal. Within two years of opening, the company went from no revenue to $2 million. In 1974, Meyer joined the perfume company Jovan, Inc.
and became its president and CEO in 1977. Under Meyer's leadership, sales of Jovan perfumes quadrupled.
In 1985, Meyer started Red Label Records. Late in that year, he wrote the lyrics for and produced the Chicago Bears
' novelty record, "The Super Bowl Shuffle".
In 1988, Meyer sued Ad Age
magazine and its editor-at-large Joseph M. Winski for libel after the magazine published an article alleging that Meyer was a heavy drinker and cocaine
user. Meyer initially lost the suit, but the decision was reversed on appeal, leading to an undisclosed settlement between the parties.
Meyer died of cancer
in 1992, at the age of 53. He was survived by his wife Julia and two daughters.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman, entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
.
Biography
Meyer was born in Reading, OhioReading, Ohio
Reading is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 11,292 at the 2000 census. It is a suburb of Cincinnati. Reading is also the Home of 2003 Division 3 State Boys Basketball Champions...
, a suburb of Cincinnati. He applied to the U.S. Naval Academy, but was rejected because of his height (6 feet 7 inches). After graduating from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
with a degree in journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
, he borrowed money to start an advertising agency named Meyer and Rosenthal. Within two years of opening, the company went from no revenue to $2 million. In 1974, Meyer joined the perfume company Jovan, Inc.
Coty, Inc.
Coty, Inc. is the world's largest fragrance company, founded in 1904. It is also a beauty products manufacturer whose main businesses are fragrances , followed by color cosmetics , toiletries and skin care...
and became its president and CEO in 1977. Under Meyer's leadership, sales of Jovan perfumes quadrupled.
In 1985, Meyer started Red Label Records. Late in that year, he wrote the lyrics for and produced the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
' novelty record, "The Super Bowl Shuffle".
In 1988, Meyer sued Ad Age
Advertising Age
Advertising Age is a magazine, delivering news, analysis and data on marketing and media. The magazine was started as a broadsheet newspaper in Chicago in 1930...
magazine and its editor-at-large Joseph M. Winski for libel after the magazine published an article alleging that Meyer was a heavy drinker and cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
user. Meyer initially lost the suit, but the decision was reversed on appeal, leading to an undisclosed settlement between the parties.
Meyer died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in 1992, at the age of 53. He was survived by his wife Julia and two daughters.