>> and wrote perhaps my most foolish copy ever. Back in 1966 I wrote posters for a great film. Truffaut’s Fahrenheit 451 was about a future in which the government sends out firemen to destroy all literature so as to prevent people …
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Why great brands fail
>> Lessons from two dead – and one dying – businesses Brands fail for three reasons. And this includes brands customers love, with dedicated staff who often get stiffed by greedy bosses. They fail because the bosses forget who pays them (usually …
Read MoreAttention masochists!
Here’s a blessedly short interview I did with Eddie Shleyner which a lot of people seem to like. Let me know what you think… Or even better, sign up to my mailing list. You don’t want me to starve, do you? Best, …
Read MoreEver been nibbled to death by ducks?
Oh dear! What can you do about it? I’ve been writing about my time at PKL which taught me a lot – and changed my life. At that time it was seen as the world’s most creative agency. But also one of …
Read MoreA tale of two letters
One I never exploited – the other changed my life. The other day I wrote about my time at Papert, Koenig & Lois. Some of my colleagues were eccentric – as was their approach to business and the way they …
Read MoreDoes it pay to be a lunatic?
Do they have the best ideas? In 1966 I was a group head at probably the world’s hottest advertising agency at the time – Papert, Koenig & Lois. You’ve probably never heard of them but my God, they were the …
Read MoreThe crazy copywriter Ogilvy admired…
>> and the mystery his success recipe explains. The copywriter wasn’t me – it was Gary Halbert. We never met, but exchanged messages. David sent me a couple of his newsletters asking me what I thought of them. We were both amazed. Gary’s secret recipe …
Read More“Digital Revolution” – this year’s favourite catchphrase
… and why you should ignore it. I bet you that when I comes to current buzz-phrases jargon “Digital Revolution” beats all else. People have decided for no good reason that because this one particular medium has indeed changed all …
Read MoreJust revealed: Late entry for his month’s most stupid letter contest
->-> Courtesy of “transformational leader” Tracy Garrad. Do you have private health insurance? I do – and I update it every couple of years. That’s because that industry is run by a load of sly monkeys. They get you in at a good …
Read MoreDO THIS and get 20% better
Why 20%? Because the economy in countries I’m familiar has slumped about 20%. But whatever it is, this very simple recipe for success applies. The thing is if you want to succeed you can’t worry about what other people are …
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