Durstine, Roy

Durstine, Roy (Sarles)

(1886–1962) advertising executive; born in Jamestown, N.D. He began his 50-year advertising career as a pioneering political publicist for Theodore Roosevelt's 1912 presidential bid. With Bruce Barton and others he founded what became the major New York agency BBDO (1918), where he pioneered radio and institutional advertising and became a leading industry figure. He resigned to head his own agency (1939–62).