The loss of Jim Schmidt, principal at Downtown Partners (the ad agency for the current Illinois State Lottery), is a major loss to our advertising community. He had an awarding-winning career. His genteel personality and creative style always focused on originality. His years at Ogilvy & Mather, McConnaughy Barocci Brown, DDB Worldwide and Downtown Partners were laden with landmark ads.
A low key legend, he will be missed by a city for whom he helped take on all takers in the realm of advertising and often won. His incisive intellect was always at work refining content until it was palatable for everyone. From ads for Illinois Tourism to Walgreen’s, they were always marked by his inimitable wit, winning over consumers during these difficult times.
— Vincent Kamin, Chicago
