Israeli Advertising Leader Oren Frank Dies at 61 After Brain Cancer Battle

Oren Frank, a prominent figure in Israeli advertising and former co-CEO of the McCann Erickson group, passed away at age 61 after a prolonged fight with brain cancer. Frank spent his final years in the United States, where he and his wife Roni founded Talkspace, an online mental health platform that later became a publicly traded company on NASDAQ.

Roni Frank announced his death, describing his battle with cancer as courageous and dignified, reflecting how he lived his life. She highlighted their 30-year partnership both personally and professionally, including their joint venture in establishing Talkspace.

Frank was a key player in the growth of McCann Israel, joining the company in the 1990s and rising to creative director before moving to London to serve in a senior creative role for McCann Erickson Europe. In 2002, he returned to Israel as co-CEO alongside Shira Margalit, who remembered him as a unique and influential figure in Israeli advertising with a deep voice, sharp intellect, and distinctive personality.

Former McCann CEO Amit Mashiach also paid tribute, calling Frank a pillar of the company who shaped its culture and mentored many creatives. Mashiach described Frank as charismatic, intelligent, witty, and deeply respected by his colleagues.

In 2008, Frank and his family relocated to New York, where they shifted focus from advertising to entrepreneurship by launching Talkspace in 2012 to improve access to mental health services. Despite stepping away from the Israeli advertising scene, Frank’s legacy remains strongly associated with a significant era in McCann’s history.