Bernice Fitz-Gibbon

Bernice Bowles "Fitz" Fitz-Gibbon (September 6, 1894 – February 22, 1982) was an American advertising executive and a pioneer in retail advertising, working at Marshall Field's, Macy's, Gimbels and Wanamaker's. She was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame in 1982.[1] She was named #62 on the 100 people of the 20th century by Advertising Age. She was also honored by Retail Advertising Confederation and the Copywriters Club of New York.

Bernice (right) working on advertisements.

Fitz-Gibbon was born in Waunakee, Wisconsin and grew up on a farm. She earned a degree from University of Wisconsin–Madison, then worked at small newspapers before taking a position at Marshall Field's. She moved to New York City in 1926 to work on the Macy's account, where she penned the tagline "It's smart to be thrifty." While working at Gimbel's from 1940 to 1954, she wrote "Nobody, but nobody, undersells Gimbels."[2] At Gimbels, Fitz-Gibbon was known for her "Fitzkreigs," described as "a blitz of words springing from the rapier-sharp and highly imaginative brain of Miss Fitz-Gibbon."[3]

She married Herman Block in 1925; he died in 1951.[2][4] She continued her ascendancy and got into a notable feud with author Sloan Wilson over women in the workplace.[5] After receiving numerous industry awards and starting her own firm, Fitz-Gibbon retired to Madison, Wisconsin in 1976. She died in Onalaska, Wisconsin.[2][6]

Selected bibliography
  • Alice in Lark Land. Studebaker Corporation (1962) ASIN B0007HL9HO
  • Girl meets Lark. Studebaker Corporation (1963) ASIN B0007HL9HY
  • Macy's, Gimbels, and Me: How to Earn $90,000 a Year in Retail Advertising. Simon and Schuster (1967) ASIN B000J0NEYU

References
  1. Dougherty, Philip H. (January 4, 1982).Advertising: Ad Writer To Be Honored. The New York Times
  2. "Famed Ad Exec Fitz-Gibbon Dies". Wisconsin State Journal. February 25, 1982. p. 2. Retrieved April 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Bauer, Hambla. "That's Not Blasting - That's Bernice". The Saturday Evening Post.
  4. "Herman Block, N. Y. Attorney, Dies, Age 59". The Capital Times. March 10, 1951. p. 2. Retrieved April 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Fitz-Gibbon, Bernice (January 29, 1956). Woman in the Gay Flannel Suit; A career woman says her sex can best achieve happiness with homes, children—and jobs. The New York Times
  6. Staff report (February 25, 1982). Bernice Fitz-Gibbon, 87, Dies; Retail Advertising Specialist. The New York Times


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