McKinney, Charles W., 1931-

Charles C. "Chick" McKinney founded and headed the McKinney & Silver (M&S) advertising agency for 22 years, where he held positions of President and Chief Executive Officer. The agency, originally based in Raleigh, N.C., and presently headquartered in Durham, N.C., is one of the largest advertising agencies in the Southeastern U.S.

From the description of Charles McKinney papers, 1952-1993 and undated. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 317484378

Charles C. Chick McKinney was born in 1931 in Newdale, N.C., and raised in Spruce Pine, N.C. Between 1950-1952, he attended the University of Tennessee, where he majored in Industrial Management. He received a degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina's School of Business in 1957. McKinney began his career in 1957 at the J.T. Howard advertising agency in Raleigh, N.C.. There, he served as Creative Director and member of the board. In 1968, McKinney founded the McKinney & Silver advertising agency, and he served as President and Chief Executive Officer until 1990. The agency grew to one of the largest advertising agencies in the Southeastern U.S.

McKinney received over 500 major awards from creative and advertising competitions, and some of his work appeared in The One Show exhibit in New York City, the New York Advertising Club Show, the American Television Commercials Festival, and the Communication Arts Show. In 1973, an Ad Daily poll named one of the top creative people in America.

In addition, McKinney also served as a judge in many advertising competitions around the U.S., including for the Communication Arts competition in California. He was frequently asked to speak at business and industry group meetings, including for the Magazine Publishers Association. He also served as a trustee of the North Carolina Symphony, and was a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Sphinx Club, the Carolina Country Club and the Figure Eight Yacht Club, among others.

McKinney died Sept. 12, 2007 in Raleigh, N.C.

From the guide to the Charles McKinney Papers, 1952-1993 and undated, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)