Honoring My Influences – Again.
This post is a "best of" for me that originally appeared 2 years ago. I added a few updates.
I can't let Black History Month go by without acknowledging some major players in advertising who have inspired me directly and indirectly.
Vincent Cullers
A former art director with EBONY Magazine, Vincent Cullers was founder of the nation's first Black-owned, full-service advertising agency, Vince Cullers Advertising Inc. in Chicago, a business he started with his wife, Marian in 1956. His company created some of the first targeted marketing campaigns on television. Their client list included Sears, Roebuck & Company, Kellogg's, Ameritech, Amoco Oil Co. (BP Amoco), and Pizza Hut. Mr. Cullers passed away in 2003.
I met Mr. Cullers well over 20 years ago. I was recently laid off — for the third time in two years. I decided to use the moment to make a new start and possibly relocate to Chicago. I made frequent day trips from Detroit (about a 5-hour drive). I set up interviews by telling companies I was in the area and I'd ask if they could spare a moment to critique my portfolio. So even if they didn't have openings, some of them agreed to meet with me. One of those individuals was Mr. Cullers.
We hit it off and talked for a couple of hours and I almost missed my other appointment. He was full of helpful tips and stories. Unfortunately, the Chicago plan never worked out and Mr. Cullers also wasn't in a position to hire me at the time. (Update: I now live in Chicago).* Still, he asked me to stop by if I ever had the time during my day trips. He always made time for me.
"I Am Stuck On Band-Aid Brand." (Band-Aid)
Obviously, this is a newer spot. I couldn't find an older one that would download properly. People were singing this song when the parents of these kids were babies.
"A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste." (UNCF)*
"Quality Is Job 1." (Ford)*
*(Sorry - I couldn't verify if the last three examples were his ads or extensions of his campaign.)
Currently, Mr. Webber is founder and chief creative officer of Smart Communications, Inc. He dubs the current phase of his career as "NeoAdvertising," which involves mastering new skills and technologies to creating more effective engagements and evolve the marketing business model. We've never met, but his interest in new trends mirror my own. And he's also a Campbell-Ewald alum from back in the day in the late 60's. Mr. Webber had a blog, madisonavenew.com, that's unfortunately down at the present time, but you can check out his background here or on "Harry Webber" on my blog roll.
New name - Spike Lee
When he's not making movies, his Brooklyn-based agency Spike DDB is doing multicultural work for Chevy (a job I once did). Glad to see it's in good hands.
I can't let Black History Month go by without acknowledging some major players in advertising who have inspired me directly and indirectly.
Vincent Cullers
A former art director with EBONY Magazine, Vincent Cullers was founder of the nation's first Black-owned, full-service advertising agency, Vince Cullers Advertising Inc. in Chicago, a business he started with his wife, Marian in 1956. His company created some of the first targeted marketing campaigns on television. Their client list included Sears, Roebuck & Company, Kellogg's, Ameritech, Amoco Oil Co. (BP Amoco), and Pizza Hut. Mr. Cullers passed away in 2003.
I met Mr. Cullers well over 20 years ago. I was recently laid off — for the third time in two years. I decided to use the moment to make a new start and possibly relocate to Chicago. I made frequent day trips from Detroit (about a 5-hour drive). I set up interviews by telling companies I was in the area and I'd ask if they could spare a moment to critique my portfolio. So even if they didn't have openings, some of them agreed to meet with me. One of those individuals was Mr. Cullers.
We hit it off and talked for a couple of hours and I almost missed my other appointment. He was full of helpful tips and stories. Unfortunately, the Chicago plan never worked out and Mr. Cullers also wasn't in a position to hire me at the time. (Update: I now live in Chicago).* Still, he asked me to stop by if I ever had the time during my day trips. He always made time for me.
Harry Webber
If he's not a familiar name, you know his work, unless you've been living in a sealed cave for the last four decades. Inducted into the Clio Hall of Fame, this is the man who co-created:
"I Am Stuck On Band-Aid Brand." (Band-Aid)
Obviously, this is a newer spot. I couldn't find an older one that would download properly. People were singing this song when the parents of these kids were babies.
"A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste." (UNCF)*
"Chow Chow Chow." (Purina Cat Chow)*
Currently, Mr. Webber is founder and chief creative officer of Smart Communications, Inc. He dubs the current phase of his career as "NeoAdvertising," which involves mastering new skills and technologies to creating more effective engagements and evolve the marketing business model. We've never met, but his interest in new trends mirror my own. And he's also a Campbell-Ewald alum from back in the day in the late 60's. Mr. Webber had a blog, madisonavenew.com, that's unfortunately down at the present time, but you can check out his background here or on "Harry Webber" on my blog roll.
New name - Spike Lee
When he's not making movies, his Brooklyn-based agency Spike DDB is doing multicultural work for Chevy (a job I once did). Glad to see it's in good hands.
Posted by Clifton Simmons at 2/3/2012 11:11 AM 
Categories: You've Been Schooled, Check This Out
Tags: advertising history Vince Cullers Advertising Inc. Black History Month traditional advertising Vincent Cullers NeoAdvertising Harry Webber Vince Cullers
Categories: You've Been Schooled, Check This Out
Tags: advertising history Vince Cullers Advertising Inc. Black History Month traditional advertising Vincent Cullers NeoAdvertising Harry Webber Vince Cullers
Thanks for posting. I'm always looking for African American's in advertising that I can study to understand how they achieved their success.
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