In advertising, not to be different is virtually suicidal.
William BernbachRead
Don't confuse good taste with the absence of taste.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Good taste is about discernment, not merely the lack of taste.
This quote emphasizes that having good taste involves a thoughtful appreciation of aesthetics and quality, rather than simply not having poor taste. It suggests that one can possess a refined sense while still understanding the complexities of what constitutes tastefulness.
Themes
TasteDiscernmentAestheticsQualityPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on art, one might reference this quote to advocate for deeper appreciation of different styles.
More from William Bernbach
All quotes →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.
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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.
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