Tom Adams was born, raised and schooled in Detroit where he spent his entire career. He joined the Campbell-Ewald Company in 1945 as a radio writer and retired in 1984 as chairman of the board of Marshalk Campbell-Ewald Worldwide. His career with Campbell-Ewald included positions as account executive and vice president/assistant to the president. At the age of 39, he was named president, making him one of the youngest top executives of a major advertising agency. By 1968 he was chairman and CEO.
With Adams at the helm, Campbell-Ewald joined the Interpublic Group of Companies in 1972. In 1980 Campbell-Ewald merged with another Interpublic company and became Marshalk Campbell-Ewald Worldwide. Adams served as its first chairman.
Adams worked to develop the advertising industry, serving as chairman of the American Association of Advertising Agencies and of the Ad Council. He was a past president of The Adcraft Club of Detroit, the biggest ad club in the country.
Adams was a multidimensional man. Throughout his life he has been a football hero, navy pilot, civic leader, sportsman, and a fighter for just causes. He is a man of boundless energy, enormous achievements, great warmth and wit.