Paul Tilley, Creative Director of DDB Chicago died on Friday; his death ruled a suicide

This is just sad news. Paul Tilley was only 40 years old, has two young daughters and a wife not to mention the DDB creative department who are sadly lacking a great mentor and creative spirit this Monday. Candles lit for all.

Creative chief at ad agency DDB, Chicago Paul Tilley, 40, died Friday evening after falling from a window at the Fairmount Chicago Hotel. The Cook County Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide.

The president for the agency Rick Carpenter said, “Last night, Paul Tilley tragically died at the age of 40. The reality of this news is difficult to comprehend. It is such a loss for DDB, but also for our industry, our community, and certainly for his family and all who loved him…Paul was a mentor to many, a friend to all. His ability to lead, inspire, and yes, entertain will be so greatly missed.”

Tilley began his job as the creative director in 2006. He has managed clients including McDonald’s, OfficeMax and Anheuser-Busch.

Man who jumped from Fairmont was ad executive

A top executive at DDB Chicago, Paul Tilley, died after leaping from a hotel window and landing in front of a CTA bus Friday night, according to police.

New York Times: After Suicide, Blog Insults Are Debated

But a colleague and friend of Mr. Tilley’s, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “There’s no way you or I will know why he did this, but it’s certainly not because of blogs.”

“I know it bothered him,” the colleague said, referring to the public criticism. “However, he was very intelligent, with lots of talents and skills, and this was not his whole life. Pointing to blogging and the media just trivializes a man whose life was not trivial.”