George Lois handed away on Friday on the age of 91. One of many all-time greats of the advert biz, he created actually memorable work at DDB within the late fifties earlier than changing into one of many founders of Papert Koenig Lois in 1960. It turned the primary advert company with an artwork director as a principal. It was additionally the primary advert company to go public in 1962, elevating a ton of cash and beginning a pattern. By 1967 it was a serious company, with $40 million in billings and shoppers like Xerox, Nationwide Airways and Procter & Gamble.
The groundbreaking “Xerox Chimpanzee” advert was good, however needed to be pulled after a few weeks when the secretaries of America complained that it made them appear like monkeys! Somewhat-known truth is that Fred Papert solely labored mornings. At noon a limo would take him out to “The Massive A” as Aqueduct Racetrack was recognized, in time for the primary race at 1.00 PM.
I by no means truly labored with George however did socialize with him over martinis and whereas judging varied award reveals. I used to see him usually once I labored at Warwick & Legler, which was the primary Seagram company, with a very powerful member of workers being the continually on-call cocktail waiter. The company was situated within the Seagram constructing and had the 4 Seasons restaurant on the bottom ground.
George would usually take shoppers there for lunch, through the meal he would draw layouts on the uber costly Egyptian Linen tablecloth. After the meal the maître de would fold up the fabric, put it in a tube and have it couriered to the PKL places of work.
Apart from his advert work, he’ll at all times be remembered for the greater than 90 Esquire journal covers he produced. They included Warhol drowning in a can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup, depicting the decline of pop artwork, and Muhammad Ali portrayed because the martyr Saint Sebastian riddled with arrows. They turned a part of MOMA’s everlasting exhibition in 2008.
One other factor George was unabashed about was recycling his work. He did a marketing campaign for Maypo cereal with adults crying like infants while wailing… “I need my Maypo.” A yr later he did a marketing campaign for MTV with music followers wailing… “I need my MTV.” I feel he used it a 3rd time, however I can’t bear in mind what for. Anyway, if it’s obtained “Legs” why not?
Closing phrases of knowledge from George when requested concerning the present state of the advert biz… Lois informed the journal Inventive Overview in 2012. “What occurred lastly, is these horrible conglomerate, no-talent, so-called advertising and marketing monoliths began to purchase up businesses, and you’ve got 5 – 6 or seven holding corporations operating the world, and should you’re a part of them you’ll by no means be a artistic company. It simply doesn’t work.”
Effectively stated George.
