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In advertising, not to be different is virtually suicidal.
William Bernbach
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Being unique in advertising is essential; without it, success is unlikely.

This quote emphasizes the critical need for differentiation in advertising. William Bernbach suggests that in a crowded marketplace, failing to stand out from the competition can lead to failure, making originality and creativity invaluable for achieving success in advertising campaigns.

Themes

AdvertisingCreativityDifferentiationSuccessCompetitionUniqueness

In practice

Example use cases

During a marketing seminar to illustrate the importance of creativity in campaigns.

More from William Bernbach

Don't confuse good taste with the absence of taste.
William BernbachRead
You cannot sell a man who isn't listening; word of mouth is the best medium of all; and dullness won't sell your product, but neither will irrelevant brilliance.
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Properly practiced creativity must result in greater sales more economically achieved. Properly practiced creativity can lift your claims out of the swamp of sameness and make them accepted, believed, persuasive, urgent.
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In this very real world, good doesn't drive out evil. Evil doesn't drive out good. But the energetic displaces the passive.
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Let us prove to the world that good taste, good art, and good writing can be good selling.
William BernbachRead
You can say the right thing about a product and nobody will listen. You’ve got to say it in such a way that people will feel it in their gut. Because if they don’t feel it, nothing will happen.
William BernbachRead

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