A couple of years ago, I wrote a Marketing Manifesto for Nonprofits, including ten “truths”. In re-reading it, I realized something that startled me: I could have written the same piece thirty years ago and would hardly have to change a word. Why is that? Because the fundamentals of marketing have not changed—ever. What has […]
Photo: Left, Rob Whittle, Right, Dain Anderson (Andy) Williams Dain Anderson Williams was brought into this world to entertain. Yes, he found hundreds of ways to entertain himself – art, antiques, cooking, wine, travel, hunting, fishing, hiking, board work – and in so doing, entertained and delighted his family and friends. One thing that always […]
I attend church at historic Christ Church in Old Town Alexandria. It’s “historic” because it has, er, history. Both George Washington and Robert E. Lee worshipped there. In fact, our office on Princess Street, two blocks away, was the Rectory back in 1784. And my great great great great (etc.) grandfather was the Reverend David […]
I’ve written in this space before about our independent ad agency network, ICOM + IN, which offers education from agency principal to agency principal. The last meeting I attended was in Santa Monica in October 2012. One of my best pals had come in to LA a day early to pitch a big smoking cessation […]
Williams Whittle has been a member of a worldwide network of independent ad agencies for many years. It has been one of the best business investments I have ever made. ICOM+IN holds two meetings a year, spring and fall. The spring meeting is international, where all 70+ agencies get together for three days of fun […]
Many years ago we began a professional relationship with one of the area’s major hospital systems. They were undergoing a name change and re-brand as hospital systems do. Our client contact was a young, good looking, hip dude. We all thought he was wonderful. As the months went by and we got to know him […]
If there were a new business consultant’s Hall of Fame, Stuart Sanders from Richmond, VA, would be on the first ballot. I first met Stuart when I attended an Ad Club “Early-Bird” breakfast at which Stuart spoke. He told the story of an ad agency that had pitched an account to a prospect and had […]
Tales From a Mad Man One in an Irregular Series Many years ago, after I had assumed the presidency of Williams Whittle at the tender age of 27, the fellow who had sold his shares to me bought a sailboat. It was a beautiful Hinckley Bermuda 40, christened Prime Time. The fellow in question was […]
Tales from a Mad Man One in an Irregular Series Johnny Grant was the Mayor of Hollywood from 1980 til his death in 2008. Since Hollywood is a neighborhood, not a city, the position of Mayor is honorary and ceremonial. Other Mayors of Hollywood have included Charlton Heston, Monty Hall and Betty White […]
