William Esty

William Cole Esty (March 6, 1895 – January 21, 1954) was an American advertising executive and founder of William Esty Co. He was "known far and wide as the man who introduced personality advertising to the business world".

Early years Esty was born in Urbana, Illinois. His father, William Esty, was a professor at Lehigh University. His mother was Julia Coy Esty, and he had a brother. His wife was performer and patron Alice Swanson Esty.

In 1982, William Esty & Co. was bought by Ted Bates Worldwide, which in turn was acquired by Saatchi & Saatchi in 1986. Two years later, Saatchi & Saatchi merged Esty with Campbell Mithun to become Campbell-Mithun-Esty. They have since dropped the Esty name.

Personal life and death Esty married Gertrude Wilder in New York City on June 2, 1923, and Alice Stevens in 1936. He had two sons and two daughters. He died at his home in New Canaan, Connecticut, on January 21, 1954, aged 59.