James Jordan, credited with coining such catchy advertising slogans as “Delta is ready when you are” and “Wisk beats ring around the collar,” has died.
Mr. Jordan, 73, of White Plains, N.Y., died Feb. 4 of a suspected heart attack while snorkeling in the Virgin Islands.
A copywriter who became regarded by many as advertising’s greatest sloganeer, he practiced what he called “nameonics,” a catchy phrase linking a brand name with its most important use or benefit.
In addition to the Delta and Wisk slogans, he coined “Quaker Oatmeal; it’s the right thing to do”; “How do you handle a hungry man? The Manhandlers,” for a line of Campbell soups; “Zest-fully clean” for the soap, and “Us Tareyton smokers would rather fight than switch.”
Born in Germantown, Pa., Mr. Jordan grew up in White Plains, where he lived in the same house for 65 years. Educated at Amherst College, he later was on its board of trustees.
He began his career in 1952 with Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn, and over 25 years rose to creative director and then president.
In 1978, he formed his own agency, James Jordan Inc., which merged three years later to become Jordan, Case & McGrath. Until his retirement in 1995, he headed the company, which changed its name according to varying partners and is now part of Arnold Worldwide of the French company Havas.
Survivors include his wife, Mary, three sons and four daughters.
