Friday, January 18, 2008

Allen J. Bloom 1936-2008


Scan000010736, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

I just received word from Feld Entertainment that long time Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey executive Allen J. Bloom passed away this evening.
He is best remembered as being among Irvin Feld and Israel Feld's staff at the time of their purchase of the Greatest Show on Earth in 1967 and instrumental in promotional development and routing when a second unit of equal size was developed in 1969.
Mr. Bloom's funeral will be held Monday January 21 at the Washington Hebrew Congregation at 10:00 AM.

Posted by Buckles at 1/18/2008 10:06:00 PM

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

allen bloom was a key player in the success of the feld organization going back to the 50s when he traveled with their rock and roll tours, acting as the feld on tour representative. he was as dedicated to the feld organization as any member of the family and was willing to work 24/7 for the good of the company. if allen was your friend, he was your friend for life. totally professional, compassionate and loyal to people he worked with. i didn't know him too well but well enough to call him a friend. much of the success of the feld organiztion was due to allen's knowledge of routing and promtion, and he always gave his all to the group. when he left ringling, he left a void that will never be filled. it was a sad day indeed for those of us who were fortunate enough to work with allen, even if it was only once a year, in my case, when ringling played norfolk and hampton.

19 January, 2008 06:40
Buckles said...

Many a Building Manager still enjoys the benefits of a Feld contract originally instituted by Mr. Bloom.

19 January, 2008 06:56
Anonymous said...

I worked with Allen Bloom on a couple of advertising projects in the early 1970s. He was what you want and hope for in an advertising-client.
He knew his product and audience.
He had his boss's complete confidence. He was clear and concise. He was decisive. There was no second guessing, no waivering. But most important, when I worked with him/for him, I always had the feeling I was dealing with a very honest, honorable man. --- ToddP

19 January, 2008 10:19
Unknown said...

I had the honor of working with Allen Bloom. Not only was he the reason for the huge success of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey as they made the transition into buildings, but he truly loved the spirit of the artists. He respected the talent and the dedication of all of the performers, not just the headliners. His amazing knowlege and Savy in advertising and booking the show was only exceeded by his deep love and respect for what the Greatest Show On Earth meant to the American Public. My heart goes out to his loving family, perhaps his greatest accomplishment. Now I am sure there will be straw houses in Heaven.

Jim Ragona

19 January, 2008 12:11
jerry digney said...

Allen was the best--I worked directly for him thru the 70s as PR director and we remained friends; he was a great boss and and a terrific guy with a long association with Feld. He was a huge contributor to the circus' many successes in arenas and was at the top during the golden age of the building show--a wonderful wonderful guy, great company--a terrific promoter with a bigger than life persona--unique loyal friend and family man with a wonderful big family and terrific partner in life, Susan. Sad, sad sad to hear of his passing;

19 January, 2008 13:50
Anonymous said...

Sad sad news indeed. My dealings with Allen Bloom are some of the most remembered and cherished, of my time with the Ringling organization.
As Todd has stated, honest and honorable are very descriptive of Mr. Bloom. And like Mr. Irvin Feld a shining example of "old school GSOE." I would like to digress for a moment, with some news that would make Mr. Bloom´s eyes sparkle. Received word last night that a young man named Pellogrini nailed the quadruple at MC.
I would like to congratulate him on his achievement. To have been able to accomplish it in front of the originator of the quad, and the man who raised the bar for flying acts forever, Miguel Vasquez, must have been heady stuff indeed. And that my friend´s is truely "participation", award or no award.
Rest in peace, Mr. Bloom. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life.
WadeBurck

19 January, 2008 15:15
Anonymous said...

I worked for Allen for 12 years, and he was a huge mentor to everyone in the marketing department at Feld Inc. He gave me the opportunity to travel not only the USA, but the world, as the company took its Disney On Ice shows to international markets.

His style had the feeling about everything good in Marlon Brando’s portrayal of the God Father. We would go to him with important issues requiring his attention, and he would take slow deliberate puffs of his Cuban cigar as he rendered his decision. He was tough, he was smart, and above all, he was fair.

I remember having to meet with him at a luxury hotel in Paris, France, to discuss whether or not I was going to get a raise in my salary. My immediate supervisor thought that I was asking for too much, and that I should ask for half. I tentatively agreed to ask only for half, but during the meeting I went back to the original figure I had in mind.

Allen sat in his big chair with the aroma of a Montecristo filling my nostrils as he shook his head “no”. He looked at me and told me I didn’t deserve the salary I wanted. But slowly and with a subtle smile, he said “you deserve more” and awarded me more than I asked for. My supervisor’s mouth dropped, as my estimation of AJB, as we called him, soared to unprecedented heights. I’ll never forget the man that was Allen J. Bloom. To me, he was Ringling Bros. --- Jorge P

19 January, 2008 15:19
Anonymous said...

Of the many indelible memories I have of my years at RBBBC, perhaps none was more memorable than the first time I was invited into AJB's office (New Mexico Ave). Intimidating to say the least - to meet the man behind the cigar. But I soon learned he was "just blowing smoke" - because he was a generous, big-hearted man who always put his trust in the people who worked for him and believed strongly in giving people enough rope to either get the job done or hang themselves. Really, the only thing intimidating about him was trying to live up to the trust he put in me. Rest Well. My thoughts go out to Susan and the family.
Michael Feldman

19 January, 2008 16:49
Anonymous said...

Not often that this blog sees such warm plaudits. Clearly, genuine and heartfelt tributes to the man.

19 January, 2008 21:29
Hank Salemi said...

I left the Greatest Show on Earth in 1990 and have gone on to have a successful career in the entertainment business, much of it thanks to the influence of Allen Bloom. He was tough and would kick your ass when you needed it, but I still remember the day he called me when my Dad died with the most sincere of condolences. He touched everyone he worked with and was the Godfather of live entertainment marketing. I see some of my old friends have posted on this blog today, and I would venture all of them would say they may not owe their careers to Allen, but they would great credit a great deal of their success. God Bless Susan, Randy, Carla and the whole family.

Hank Salemi

19 January, 2008 21:42
Anonymous said...

I never knew Allen, but I am alway saddened to hear of the passing of someone from this era of the GSOE. My condolences to all his family, friends and co-workers.

20 January, 2008 12:25
Anonymous said...

Allen was my mentor and my friend. His character and integrity ingratiated him to anyone that was fortunate enough to cross his path. I'll miss him very much and I my condolences go out to Susan, Cary, Carla, Randy and Candice.

20 January, 2008 17:05

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