In advertising, not to be different is virtually suicidal.
William BernbachRead
Imitation can be commercial suicide.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Imitating others in business can lead to failure.
William Bernbach's quote highlights the dangers of imitation in the commercial world. By solely copying others, businesses risk losing their unique identity, which can ultimately lead to their downfall, as authenticity and innovation are key to success in a competitive marketplace.
Themes
ImitationCreativityBusinessSuccessAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
In a presentation about brand identity, use this quote to stress the importance of originality.
More from William Bernbach
All quotes βDon'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.
William BernbachRead
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.
William BernbachRead
In this very real world, good doesn't drive out evil. Evil doesn't drive out good. But the energetic displaces the passive.
William BernbachRead
Let us prove to the world that good taste, good art, and good writing can be good selling.
William BernbachRead
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