I was having breakfast with a friend from another agency recently when he reminded me of a Bill Bernbach story he admired. I had probably told him this story. I really don’t know if it’s true or if it’s one of those “urban legends” that surround great people like Bill Bernbach and grow with time.

All I know is that I was told this story by Keith Reinhard and I’m going to believe it’s true!

As the story goes, apparently Bill kept a small piece of paper in his jacket pocket. When he was in the middle of a meeting with a client who had an opposite point of view to his, he would pull out this piece of paper and read it to himself. On the piece of paper were three words: “Maybe he’s right.”

Those three words always stop me in my tracks. They are certainly worth remembering…..if only to remind ourselves of the importance of the great, and too often lost, art of “listening.”

I find that sometimes, in our passion to sell our ideas to clients, we lose sight of the fact that often our clients are our greatest source of inspiration and clarity. So today, as we spend more time co-creating with our clients, partners and even customers, it’s good to keep that phrase tucked in the back of our minds:

“Maybe he’s right.”

Bob Scarpelli, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, DDB Worldwide

Posted on November 6, 2008 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

It’s a shame that few people know how easy it is to protect themselves from the potentially deadly pandemic flu – simply wash your hands. So Mark Monteiro, Rick Bursky and Christianne Brooks at the LA office created a memorable poster for the LA Health Coalition that drives home that point. The fun and dramatic poster will be given to schools and posted in public venues throughout the area. Los Angeles based photographer Tony Garcia did all of the photography pro-bono. We’re thrilled with the poster, but will be even happier if just a handful of people heed its advice.

Rick Bursky, Associate Creative Director, DDB Los Angeles

Posted on November 17, 2008 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)