Story 1
Let me elaborate on my experience with Jack Allen:
In my senior year at Mission High I had won a Summer scholarship at the College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, and a Fall scholarship at the Academy of Art in San Francisco.
I had all fine art classes at the Academy but saw there was an advertising class with teacher Jack Allen, so I thought I’d try it. I loved it, it seemed natural to me, and so I felt advertising was the direction I should take. Besides, it seemed likely I could make more money in advertising than I could as a struggling fine artist (duh). To continue my classes I got a part-time job at an animation company, cleaning the office and painting the back of animation cells. (I also got two other part-time jobs) Jack’s class challenged me in developing advertising concepts, and my work was displayed at the Academy. After 2 1⁄2 years I left the Academy to find a job (Now married with a baby), and was hired at KPIX in the Art Department. (I also got my Academy friend Mik Kitagawa a job there) One afternoon Jack called me at KPIX and asked if I was interested in a position at Y&R…“bring your portfolio”. I thought If I didn’t get the job, maybe Mik could. So, I went through Mik’s work in his apartment putting together HIS portfolio (dumb me). We both went to Y&R with our portfolios, applying for that one position. Jack was just made Co-Creative Director. Jack hired us both. He said “I got two guys for the price of one.” The “initiation” into advertising was morning-to-night work for months with breaks for lunch with pitchers of Martinis. We both “PASSED” Jack’s class.
I owe my career in advertising to Jack Allen.
Dave Sanchez
Story 2
Hi Dick & Ann,
Love what you guys are doing! The verve still is hot in AdLand!
Just a short item re: Jack Allen; he was my first teacher at the Academy of Art, upstairs over Brooks Camera, 2 classrooms, the founder Mr.Stephens held forth, it’s 1956. Jack was fantastic helped me put together a Portfolio to take to Art Center, drive my ‘51 Mercury w/ future brother in law to LA, loved my book said “well start you as a 2nd year student, starts next month”! be here! Jack was a fantastic person, like everybody knew- still miss him- the ADASF poster of him handing the reins to Gig was a highlight of my career!
(At 87 still kicking ass w/one leg!)
Cheers,
Bob Pease
This was Jack’s President’s letter in 1966 to the members of the Art Directors and Artists of San Francisco.
