William Bernbach

Date of Birth: August 13, 1911

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: October 2, 1982

Biography

William “Bill” Bernbach was an influential American advertising creative director, best known as a founder of the international advertising agency Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB). Born on August 13, 1911, in the Bronx, New York, Bernbach revolutionized the advertising industry with his groundbreaking ideas and creative strategies. He is often credited with ushering in the “Creative Revolution” of the 1960s, which emphasized witty, clever, and memorable advertisements over the more straightforward, hard-sell techniques that had dominated the industry. Bernbach’s career began in the mailroom of Schenley Distillers, but he quickly rose through the ranks due to his unique talent for copywriting. He later moved to Grey Advertising, where he met his future business partners, Ned Doyle and Maxwell Dane. In 1949, the trio founded Doyle Dane Bernbach in New York City, and the agency quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and highly effective campaigns. One of Bernbach’s most famous contributions was the “Think Small” campaign for Volkswagen, which is often cited as one of the greatest advertising campaigns of all time. His work not only helped establish DDB as a leading agency but also set new creative standards for the industry. Bernbach passed away on October 2, 1982, but his legacy continues to influence advertising professionals around the world.

5 Interesting Facts about William Bernbach

1. Bernbach was instrumental in the creation of the “Think Small” campaign for Volkswagen, which is considered one of the most iconic advertising campaigns in history.

2. He believed in the power of creativity and often said that an excellent idea is more important than a large budget.

3. Bernbach was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame in 1964.

4. He pioneered the team approach to creating ads, pairing copywriters with art directors to foster collaboration.

5. Bernbach’s agency, DDB, was responsible for creating memorable campaigns for brands such as Avis, Levy’s, and Alka-Seltzer.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Bernbach

1. “An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.”

2. “It’s not just what you say that stirs people. It’s the way that you say it.”

3. “The most powerful element in advertising is the truth.”

4. “In advertising, not to be different is virtually suicidal.”

5. “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.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures on William Bernbach’s net worth are not widely publicized, his influence and success with DDB made him one of the most respected and financially successful advertising executives of his time. Estimates suggest his peak net worth was in the multimillions.

Children

William Bernbach had two children, a son named John Bernbach, who followed in his father’s footsteps and carved out a successful career in advertising, and another son named Paul Bernbach.