J. Scott Franks, a Downingtown resident and an advertising executive who specialized in collaboration and creativity, has died at 68, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Known as an ideas man, the charismatic Franks ran his consulting firm after spending more than 25 years at several big companies in leadership roles.

He served for nine years as president, senior vice president, and management director at Ketchum Advertising; two years as senior vice president at Earle Palmer Brown; 10 years as chief operating officer at Tierney Communications; and seven years as COO at Azuna.

He then opened his own firm in 2013.

Franks relished in challenges and possessed a personal charm that drew both people and companies to his projects.

“He could light up a room,” said his daughter, Nancy Franks Newman. “Even his tone of voice was inspiring. He was able to navigate through his career, and jump on opportunities.”

During his long and fruitful career, Franks helped launch or restage more than 100 regional, national, and international brands, such as DuPont, ABC Sports, Pizza Hut, Unisys, Sunoco, McDonald’s, and Lincoln Financial.

Read more about J. Scott Franks in The Philadelphia Inquirer here.