Advertising is for selling

Have advertising’s critics over-stated the impact of commercial marketing? In this speech to the 1978 NAACP Conference, William Hesse, acting president of the 4A’s (the American Association of Advertising Agencies), makes the case that they have.

Advertising is for selling

William HesseActing President, 4A's

Today, July 5, 1978, in Portland, Oregon, Ladies and Gentlemen, I went through my customary morning routine.

Brushed my teeth with Stripe toothpaste, took a leisurely shave with Burma-Shave, put on my Abercrombie & Fitch shirt and tie, Robert Hall suit and Corfam shoes in jiffy time.

Now, of course, I didn't really do what I just indicated. I couldn't have. As you probably know, none of those products I mentioned—not a single one of them—is around any more. They all expired despitethe expenditure of millions of...

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