Schafer Condon Carter is deeply saddened by the sudden death of co-founder and Chairman Emeritus Mark Schafer last week. He was 58. 

An exceptional advertising and marketing leader, he was also a kind, calm and rock-solid individual who inspired colleagues and clients alike. 

In 1989, Schafer and his college roommate, Tim Condon, co-founded the Chicago advertising agency Schafer Condon and set on a course to deliver dramatic results for their clients. From humble beginnings the agency grew significantly, and today SCC is one of the leading independent ad agencies in the country. Schafer was a brilliant artist and creative executive who had an eye for powerful ideas and talent. As the agency grew he took on additional responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer. But what truly distinguished Schafer was his human touch and sensibility.  

"The world is several billion short of the kind of man Mark Schafer was," says Tim Condon, SCC co-founder and CEO. "He was a sweet, smart, humble, kind, considerate, sincere, loving, caring human being. And I will miss him.”

Before starting SCC, Schafer began his career in 1984 on the account service side at Mandabach & Simms, working on P&G brands and Citicorp Diner's Club. Schafer moved to San Francisco, where he made the transition from account-side to creative as a copywriter and later creative director on Nestle and Weyerhaeuser, earning numerous awards before making his way back to Chicago to start SCC.

Following his retirement in 2014, Schafer and his wife, Katie, purchased a farm in his beloved Wisconsin.  

A memorial mass was held Monday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Glenview, Illinois. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to Greater Chicago Food Depository.