Michael mangano

In my twenty-one years at Doyle Dane Bernbach, I worked with Bob Gage, Helmut Krone, Bert Steinhauser, Bill Taubin, Charlie Piccirillo, etc., etc., etc.

But I never worked with Roy Grace.

To my regret.

But there’s no need for me to talk about his remarkable talent, it’s common knowledge in the advertising community. Whenever he did something new, it was a surprise.

But the one thing Roy did that surprised me the most had nothing to do with advertising. It had to do with, well, human sensitivity.

You see, Roy and I were friendly colleagues, but we weren’t close friends. Which is why Charlie Piccirillo (my soon-to-be brother-in-law, at the time) didn’t invite Roy to my very small bachelor party.  

Much to Charlie’s surprise, Roy told him that he was hurt that he wasn’t invited and that he’d very much like to attend. 

Which he did. To my surprise. And delight, I might add. I was truly touched.

I saw Roy in a whole different light after that. A whole different side of him. 

I truly hope others, as well, had occasion to see that Roy.

–Michael Mangano
Executive Vice President, Creative Director
Doyle Dane Bernbach 1965-1986