Milton H. Biow

Milton Harry Biow was an American advertising executive who founded the Biow Company. Biow is recognized as one of the pioneers of the modern school of advertising.

Biography

In 1917, Biow started a one-man advertising office in New York City. It quickly grew to become the largest advertising agency in the United States owned by one man, topping $50 million in revenues at its highest winning major accounts such as Anacin, Pepsi-Cola, Eversharp, Ruppert beer, Schenley whisky and Lady Esther cosmetics.
Biow's agency was credited as the first to develop a national advertising campaign that used short and catchy advertising slogans on radio and television. He was also responsible for bringing The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour to television and the Take It or Leave It to the radio. In 1934, he purchased WBBR with Arde Bulova and changed the call letters to WNEW, for "the NEWest thing in radio". In 1956, he disbanded his agency after the loss of several major accounts. His firm was the starting point for advertising executive Norman B. Norman.
In 1964, Biow wrote '' which told the story of his time in advertising.

Personal life

Biow was a founder of the National Conference of Christians and Jews and was active with the United Jewish Appeal, the United Hospital Fund and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He was married to Sophie Biow ; they had two children, Richard Biow and Patricia Broderick. Through his daughter Patricia, he is the grandfather of actor Matthew Broderick. He was a member of the Reform synagogue Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan.