William Montague Backer or Bill Backer was an American advertising executive.
17 Facts About Bill Backer
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Bill Backer's parents were William Bryant Backer, a real estate developer who died when Backer was six years old, and Ferdinda Legare, who, after her husband's death, moved with her son to her hometown, Charleston, South Carolina.
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In 1944, Bill Backer graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where he wrote musical comedies.
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Bill Backer was a member of the Eight-Thirty Club, the Missionary Society, the JV football team, the varsity track team, and the winter track team.
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Bill Backer was a member of St Anthony Hall and was a leader of The Record.
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Bill Backer was promoted to creative director in 1972, and vice chairman of the agency in 1978.
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In May 1979, Bill Backer resigned from McCann Erickson, citing "philosophical differences" with the firm's parent company, Interpublic Group of Companies.
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Spielvogel was previously the vice chairman of Interpublic and manager for Bill Backer, resigning around two weeks before Bill Backer.
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Bill Backer was in charge of the creative side of the business, while Spielvogel was its manager.
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Bill Backer stayed as a consultant for a few years before leaving when Donald Zuckert became the ad agency's president.
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In January 1989, Bill Backer became the president of Bill Backer Spielvogel Bates Worldwide when Zuckert stepped down.
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Bill Backer was replaced by Michael Bungey who was named to the new position of CEO starting January 1,1993.
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However, Bill Backer remained as vice president and worldwide executive creative director.
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Bill Backer married Ann Mudge in 1983 at their new farm in The Plains, Virginia.
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Bill Backer was elected as a member of the Jockey Club in 2004, served on the Board of Directors of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, and road with the Orange County Hunt.
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Bill Backer was president of the Piedmont Foundation and was active with the Upper Fauquier Association and the Piedmont Environmental Council, serving as the president of the latter from 2004 until his death.
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In 2016, Bill Backer died of complications from colon cancer surgery at Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton, Virginia at the age of 89.