‘What’ up with that? Don Draper edition?
Recently, my advertising agency ended a long relationship with Lucky Strike Cigarettes.
And I’m relieved.
For over 25 years, we devoted ourselves to peddling a product for which good work is irrelevant – because people can’t stop themselves from buying it. A product that never improves, causes illness and makes people unhappy.
But there was money in it, a lot of money. In fact, our entire business depended on it. We knew it wasn’t good for us, but we couldn’t stop.
And then, when Lucky Strike moved their business elsewhere, I realized here was my chance to be someone who could sleep at night – because I know what I’m selling doesn’t kill my customers. So as of today, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce will no longer take tobacco accounts.
We know it’s going to be hard. If you’re interested in cigarette work, here’s a list of agencies that do it well: BVDO, Leo Burnett, McCann Erickson, Cutler Gleason and Chaough and Benton & Bowles.
As for us, we welcome all other business because we’re certain that our best work is still ahead of us.
Sincerely,
Donald F. Draper
Creative Director
Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce
Here’s the song that thumped in background as Don described ‘holstering up his guns’. via madmenfootnotes
Every super hero needs their theme music. This is Don Draper’s.
Who’s ready for Joan and Mad Men?
(via mostexerent, patrickjkim)
Mad Men’s Guide to Managing Creative People
“People will be most creative when they feel motivated primarily by the interest, satisfaction, and challenge of the work itself, not by external pressures.” - Theresa Amabile
“You came here because we do this better than you, and part of that is letting our creatives be unproductive until they are.
— Don Draper
In the number “A Secretary is Not a Toy” you can see an uncanny resemblance to the Sterling Cooper floor plan as the men in gray suits stroll up and down the rows of steno machines reminding one another that
A secretary is not to be
Used for play therapy.
Be good to the girl you employ, boy.
Remember no matter what
Neurotic trouble you’ve got
A secretary is not a toy.
She’s a highly specialized key component
Of operational unity,
A fine and sensitive mechanism
To serve the office community.
With a mother at home she supports;
And you’ll find nothing like her at FAO Schwarz.These play was produced in 1961. The Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book; Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Drama Critics Circle Award were all snagged by it before the movie version came out in 1967. Aspirational lyricism!
Who’s ready for season 4?
