Paul Counsell (1936-) was born and raised in Oconomowoc, the son of a lawyer and a librarian. Graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS degree in Journalism (Advertising sequence) in 1958. After two years in the military, Counsell worked as a copywriter, copy director and associate creative director at several midwestern agencies including Stephan & Brady, Madison, and Hoffman York, and Baker Johnson & Dickinson in Milwaukee before joining Cramer-Krasselt (CK) here in 1970 as a creative director. In 1976, Counsell was named senior vice president. In 1978, with Neil Casey, he formed Counsell & Casey in Milwaukee. In 1980, Counsell & Casey was purchased by CK. In 1982, Counsell was named executive vice president and general manager of the Milwaukee office as C-K began expanding into multiple markets including Chicago, Phoenix, and Orlando. In 1986, Counsell was named Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, positions he held until his retirement in 1999.

• 1977 Super EFFIE gold+ award for Wisconsin Bell LD TV campaign
• 1978 Partner, Counsell & Casey Inc, Advertising
• 1979 National Addy Award for C&C House Ads
• 1984 Best of Show, Business Professional Advertising Association (BPAA) for Briggs & Stratton campaign
• 1985 EFFIE gold award; and Best of Show, Milwaukee Addy Awards, Yamaha Outboards campaign
• 1985-87 President, Milwaukee Association of Advertising Agencies (MAAA)
• 1986 EFFIE silver award; and Best of Show, Milwaukee Addy Awards, Allen Edmonds campaign
• 1986-90 President, Director, International Federation of Advertising Agencies (IFAA)
• 1988 Career Marketing Achievement Award, from the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Marketing Association
• 1990 Distinguished Service to Journalism Award from the University of Wisconsin
• 1991 Clio finalist for Universal Foods :30 radio “Children”
• 1991-94 Director, American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA)
• 1992 Best of Show, BPAA for Johnson Controls buildings campaign
• 1996 Cramer-Krasselt named “Midwest Agency of the Year” by Adweek Magazine
• 2002-05 founding member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Advertising Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is held every year at the United Adworkers Milwaukee 99 Awards Show. For details and to purchase tickets to the show on October 12, 2017, please visit Adworkers.com.