Michael Keel, Longtime Philips Ad Exec, Dies At 57

Knoxville, Tenn. — Michael Keel, 57, long-time marketing and advertising executive with Philips Consumer Electronics died suddenly June 24.
Keel, who also worked for parent company Royal Philips Electronics, managed many of Philips marketing efforts since 1993 including the “Smart … Very Smart” ad campaign with British comedian John Cleese.
He managed advertising for Magnavox and Sylvania, was advertising VP for Philips Consumer Electronics North America and later brand management VP for Philips CE division and other VP-level marketing and ad-related responsibilities until the time of his death. Keel was mentioned in Advertising Age magazine’s “Top 100 Marketers” and a designation by the Wall Street Journal as an “Industry Innovator.”
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Beth; his daughter, Katie; and two brothers and a sister. The family has requested any donations be sent to University of North Carolina Swimming & Diving Team, P.O. Box 2126, Chapel Hill, N.C., 27599-2126 “in memory of Mike Keel.”