George Lois Did Not Solely Create VW ‘Think Small’ Campaign

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On a recent episode of This American Life, Sarah Koenig, tells the story of her father, famed copywriter Julian Koenig, who wrote “Timex takes a licking and keeps on ticking” and copy for the VW Think Small ads. It seems his partner, famed ad man George Lois has been taking exclusive credit for work the two did together while at DDB.

Seemingly the consummate gentleman, Koenig never took issue with this until his daughter, producer of This American Life, began to probe deeper asking him about the origin of the ads and his work with Lois. It’s yet another story of greed, ego and pompousness run amock in the advertising business. Give it a listen.

Commenting after forty years about his partner, Koenig said of Lois, “his talent is only exceeded by his omnivorous ego.”

Picture of Steve Hall

Steve Hall

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