SYNOPSIS
Mad
Men. Don Spector didn’t just watch them on television. He was one of them.
Starting in a Madison Avenue ad agency in the ‘60’s, he actually lived the life captured in the TV show. In "Memories of a Mad Man" he shares with us an unforgettable era filled with humor, brilliance, wonderful heroes and big, bad villains.
The funny and fascinating stories he tells uncover the reality of the ad world behind the show.
• What was it like dealing with celebrities of the era?
• How did the advent of computers spoil one of the greatest boondoggles that Mad Men—and Mad Women—enjoyed?
• The Three Martini Lunch. True or false?
• What's the real truth about truth in advertising?
The book answers these and many more intriguing questions in this unique look into a unique profession.
ABOUT DON SPECTOR
Starting
as a junior copywriter in a Madison Avenue ad agency in the ‘60s, Don Spector
qualifies as a genuine Mad Man. Creating advertising for the agency’s
high-profile accounts like Smirnoff Vodka and Tareyton cigarettes, he began his
ascent up the creative ladder in several New York agencies. His commercials and
print ads for advertisers like Xerox, the Yellow Pages and Jaguar ultimately
led to an offer of a key position in Los Angeles-based BBDO/West where he was
soon named Creative Director. After moving to a similar position at Foote
Cone Belding/Los Angeles, he eventually started his own agency where he served
until his retirement. The advertising he created for dozens of companies
like ARCO, Absolut Vodka, Bristol-Myers and S.C. Johnson won numerous awards.
But, more importantly, it generated millions of dollars in sales for them.
Follow the entire MEMORIES OF MAD MAN
tour
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Memories of a Mad Man - an excerpt
I don’t
know if it was like that before I entered advertising but by the time I did,
the days of the fabled three-martini lunch were beginning to fade. And that was
just as well because, frankly, I wasn't very good at handling my liquor. Even
one glass of wine at lunch made me sleepy and, besides being unable to write
much, I didn't relish the idea of someone coming into my office at three in the
afternoon to see me snoozing at my desk. But I did occasionally make an
exception. And once when I did, I learned a valuable lesson.
I went to lunch in a
Madison Avenue restaurant with an agency producer I did a lot of work with. I
don't remember what the occasion was but Ed suggested we have a drink and I
agreed. I ordered a Bloody Mary while Ed ordered a scotch and soda. I was
surprised.
“Ed,” I exclaimed. “When
we get back to the office they’ll smell that booze on your breath. That's why
I'm having a vodka drink.”
“Yes,” Ed said, “but you
know that we're not going to stop at just one drink. And when we get back to
the office, at least they'll know I'm drunk. They’ll just think you're stupid.”
I thought about his
wisdom for a moment and called the waiter over. “Make that a scotch and soda.”
And from that day on when I did have a
drink at lunch I made sure it wasn't vodka. I’d rather be thought of as drunk,
not stupid.
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