William Bernbach Quotes

United States, Creator
August 13, 1911 – October, 2, 1982.

William "Bill" Bernbach (August 13, 1911 – October 2, 1982) was an American advertising creative director. He was one of the three founders in 1949 of the international advertising agency Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB). He directed many of the firm's breakthrough ad campaigns and had a lasting impact on the creative team structures now commonly used by ad agencies.

Also known as Director

Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these things abut a person, you can touch him at the core of his being.

William Bernbach
- Men
- Knowledge
- Action
The most powerful element in advertising is the truth.

William Bernbach

If you stand for something, you will always find some people for you and some people against you. If you stand for nothing, you will find nobody against you, and nobody for you.

William Bernbach
- People
An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.

William Bernbach
- Positive
- Magic
- Talent
Never do anything yourself that you can hire someone else to do, especially if they can do it better.

William Bernbach
- Design
Nobody counts the number of ads you run; they just remember the impression you make.

William Bernbach
Don't confuse good taste with the absence of taste.

William Bernbach
- Taste
- Absence