Jan Sneed, a vibrant voice for the New York advertising agency community and an executive communications officer at some of the world’s leading agency brands, passed away on March 30. She was 78.   

The cause was cancer. Her career spanned top public relations posts at Benton & Bowles, Wells Rich Greene, Grey Global Group, FCB, and the media agency MPG.   

She began her career at The Advertising Council and for the past decade headed her own bespoke Las Vegas-based public relations firm.  

Known for her wit and style, Sneed possessed a formidable collection of evening gowns and was active civically, including as a long-time Board member of her mother’s nonprofit organization, International Art of Jazz, and of Cancer Care.  She was born and grew up in Northport, New York, on Lake Champlain. 

"My favorite recollections of Jan are lunch," said Toni Lee, founder of Toni Lee Communications and a former colleague. "We'd do a real 'ladies' lunch every other month or so. Usually at Saks. She'd arrive in her Chanel suit, shoes, and gold jewelry. Dressed to the max and always stylish. She'd order a salad - no dressing. And out of her bag she'd pull her own prepared salad dressing packaged in a container, sealed in a bag.  

From Jan I learned a lot about how to say no, how to be assertive, and how to take on difficult conversations and succeed." 

Sneed is survived by her sister, Kathleen Lukens, brother-in-law Mark Lukens, and nephews Benjamin and James.  A private service will be held on June 19.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cancer Care.