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Lester Gallagher
Year of induction: 1999
Bio:
On December 31, 1999, Pittsburgh said goodbye to a century that gave birth to such sophisticated communicators as radio, television, the Internet, and Lester Gallagher. Les was the consummate renaissance agency man, long before the concept came into vogue. His qualities – enormous versatility, probing intellectuality and a voracious interest in the spectrum of human endeavor. Particularly in this town, where he was born and lived for most of his life.
Casual and low key about his accomplishments, his many success stories include the political advertising campaign for Mayor Pete Flaherty. Pete had surrounded himself with “nonpolitical” types. Many of them skilled in communications, on the theory that admen like Lester Gallagher would be worth at least 32 ward chairmen. For the campaign, Les dreamed up those stark slogans Pittsburghers still recall today, like “Man Against the Machine” and “Nobody’s Boy.” His interest in politics was always in the forefront. When Richard Caliguiri decided to make his run for the mayoralty, Lester Gallagher was there at his side to add strength to his campaign.
Clients remember him as a hands-on leader. He directed PNC bank’s image, retail and commercial programs for over fifteen years. Lead the charge for Alcoa, Mobay Chemicals and many other accounts, including the famous I.C. Light Beer “Wild Life” campaign. Although Lester was, in name, an account service leader, he often got involved in creative, much to the chagrin of many a copywriter and art director. Clients trusted his judgement, and creatives did, too – when they realized that if the idea was a good one, Les would sell it.
Awards for the work he led included CLIOS, The One Show, New York Art Directors Society, and American Advertising Awards on the local, district and national level.
Les’s business career was peppered with high-powered positions and community service to the city and industry he loved: President, Ketchum Pittsburgh office from 1978-83; Director, Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce from 1980-84; Director, Home Builders Association of Pittsburgh from 1977-80. President of our own Pittsburgh Advertising Club 1981-82; and President, Pittsburgh’s Better Business Bureau from 1982-84.
He enjoyed art, architecture and the game of golf. In fact, Les was President of the 15,000 member, worldwide St. Anthony’s Royal Ancient Golf Club…for those who played the game religiously. No one who knew Les, even briefly, doubted that he did just that.
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