John H. Dowd

Who was John H. Dowd?

John H. Dowd After graduating from the University of Connecticut he was accepted at the Harvard School of Business at which he received his MBA in 1948. After graduation, he spent a few years at Standard Brands before moving on to an 18 year career with various advertising agencies in both Boston and New York. During this time, he directed the preparation of advertising for everything from margarine and meat spreads to chemicals and concrete.

In 1966, Jack joined Hershey Chocolate Company as Brands Manager and advanced his way to Vice President of New Business Development. He introduced the concepts of Brands Management and Marketing Plans and later participated in the initiation of the first consumer advertising program in the company's history, all while directing the development and introduction of dozens of new products. In 1982, Jack negotiated a contract for Reese's Pieces to tie in with Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the first promotion in the company's history for which he was featured in People Magazine and named "Consumer Products Man of the Year" by Sales and Marketing magazine.