After listening to This American Life’s podcast about copywriter Julian Koenig’s 40+ year fight with art director George Lois, I created these videos so more people can learn about the story. Julian wrote the Volkswagen Think Small and the Timex It Takes A Licking But Keeps On Ticking ads. Both classics that defined advertising in the ’60s. Unfortunately, George Lois has been taking credit for his work and Julian just wants to set the record straight.
Pretty nice post. I just came by your blog and wanted to say
that I have really liked reading your posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
| June 24th, 2009 11:33 pm
I remember those ads when they first appeared, I was a graphic designer at the time, and I thought that they were ground breaking ads. I always looked forward to seeing what they would come up with next. I didn’t know the details of who did what, so now I know. |
| July 6th, 2009 2:27 pm
I think I will try to recommend this post to my friends and family, cuz it’s really helpful. |
Dominik  |
July 9th, 2009 9:24 am
Dear all You will find this interesting: http://www.vimeo.com/5339850 Best Dominik |
| July 9th, 2009 1:33 pm
In the Vimeo video (at 19:28), George Lois gave Julian Koenig credit for writing the headline “Think Small” but Julian said George was never involved with the campaign. Too much time has passed and I don’t know if it will ever be known what really happened. |
| September 9th, 2009 10:10 am
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. |
Cheers! Sandra. R.NimSnuse  |
May 8th, 2010 4:17 pm
Have been looking for this information, thank you. |
MayaLee |
July 31st, 2010 12:22 pm
Wow, wonderful blog post! I even have shown this to my friends! |
Sarah,
What a revelation! What a surprise—about everything your dad created and everything George took credit for. On the other hand, I took a class that George taught at SVA in the early 60’s and one of the things I remember most was George holding up that Harvey Probber chair ad and saying what great copy his partner Julian Koenig wrote for it. But I guess as time went on, despite all his other accomplishments, his ego clouded all sense of reality. And, charming as he is with his cute, bad-boy image, that ego is huge. I enjoyed the interview. Thank you. Dick Lopez.