Harry Spero is an advertising executive, songwriter, musician, and band leader based in Manhattan. His career cuts across an eclectic mix of high profile positions in the media, advertising and music industries.

Early in his career, Spero was a songwriter for the publishing company of rock impresario Don Kirshner. Later, he was a vice president at Midland International Records, developing the recording careers of John Travolta, Melanie, Silver Convention, Carol Douglas and other artists.

In 1981, under the pseudonym “Chatsworth and Burt,” Spero and his then-songwriting partner (and hip-hop pioneer) John Robie wrote “Preppie Rap,” where they were among the first white rappers.

As vice president of advertising for the retailer Crazy Eddie, Spero wrote and produced thousands of TV and radio commercials that “drove people INSANE!,” as Crazy Eddie became one of the best known brand names in the world. As head of marketing for WFAN-AM in New York, Spero helped develop the first all-sports radio station in the United States — and helped make “The FAN” the number one billing radio station in America.

For the last 30 years, Spero led Spero Media, an advertising agency with clients such as the New York Mets, Miami Dolphins, The Metropolitan Opera, New York Jets, WWE, Major League Soccer, the U.S. Open, The Capital One Orange Bowl, Broadway musicals including “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” “A Chorus Line” and “The Color Purple,” the NBA and many others. In conjunction with his songwriting, Harry has also written numerous jingles and sports themes over the past two decades. Since 2021, Harry has been an active participant in the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Songwriting Class each semester. He’s performed regularly during the past few years in Westhampton and East Hampton.