Jack Connors, Jr.

Jack Connors, Jr. is a founding partner and Chairman Emeritus of Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos, Inc., a full-service marketing communications company. Under his leadership, Hill, Holliday evolved from a one-room shop, founded in 1968, to one of the top 20 advertising firms in the United States. Its clients are among the most well-known brands in the world, including Dunkin’ Donuts, Bank of America, Verizon Wireless, CVS/Pharmacy, and Liberty Mutual. Hill, Holliday is a member of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG).

Connors founded Hill, Holliday with partners George “Jay” Hill, III; Alan Holliday and Stavros “Steve” Cosmopulos. With an initial investment of $1500 each, the four rented space on Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay and opened for business. They scrambled to make the office habitable, secure financing and find leads. As Connors said, recalling those early days, “we called everyone we knew.” The fledgling agency distinguished itself by the hustle and hard work of its principals, along with the creativity and fresh look of their work. They finished their first year with $250,000 in gross billings (producing revenue of $37,500) and a staff of 10.

A recruitment advertising project from New England Mutual Life Insurance resulted in the company’s becoming Hill Holliday’s first real client, and three years later, with the awarding of its entire account, the agency’s first national account. The banking industry became their next target, with three banks added to their roster in 1969 and 1970. The State of Maine tourism account, Brigham’s Ice Cream Shops, Southwick Apparel and Charley’s Saloon followed in rapid succession.

Hill, Holliday soon also became known for a specialization in political advertising, beginning with the mayoral re-election campaign of Kevin White. They were regarded as one of the premier political advertising agencies in the business during the 1970’s.

Through the years, Hill, Holliday became the agency of record for many regional, national and international marquee clients, winning creative awards for many of their campaigns along the way. Gillette, Wang Laboratories, Papa Gino’s, Stride-Rite, Aer Lingus, the Massachusetts State Lottery, Infiniti, and the Boston Globe are just a few. The company eventually opened offices in Los Angeles, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Sydney, New York, and Hong Kong.

Hill, Holliday has been known throughout its history as possessing an unusual ability to build and nurture relationships. Much of that is due not only to Jack Connors’ determination to win business, but also to his genuine interest in people. Early in his career, he became interested and active in the philanthropic life of the city of Boston, serving on boards and leading civic campaigns. In fact, throughout Greater Boston, Connors is known for these efforts as well as for his business acumen. Boston Magazine named him one of the most powerful people in Boston, and he’s been a major force behind initiatives such as Camp Harbor View, The Campaign for Catholic Schools, and The Edward M. Kennedy Institute. What’s more, Connors is an articulate advocate for Boston’s world-class hospitals, and is a passionate and respected voice in the Catholic community for greater lay participation in the Church. Throughout his years with Hill, Holliday, he often used the collective strengths and talents of the agency to make a difference for dozens of charitable organizations.

Connors serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Partners HealthCare System, which includes the Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He is Chairman of the Board of Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare and Dana-Farber/Harvard CancerCare. He is a member of the Board of Fellows at Harvard Medical School and serves as a Trustee of Boston College, Brandeis University and Emmanuel College. Connors also serves on the Board of Directors of Hasbro, Inc. and Covidien.

Born in Boston, Connors is a graduate of Boston College and resides in Brookline, Massachusetts. He and his wife, Eileen, have four children and ten grandchildren.