Last week, The Madison Avenue Journal featured a weeklong spotlight on our own of Chairman Emeritus Keith Reinhard called “The Last Mad Man.”

Based on a conversation with Keith, it covers everything from his determination to make it into the business and the creation of Omnicom to his current work as President of Business for Diplomatic Action, from the people and the experiences that inspired him along the way to the impact Keith has around the world.

For those who know Keith Reinhard, here are the stories everyone asks him to tell again and again. If you’ve never been lucky enough to Keith speak, check it out and see why he continues to inspire us all.

Steven Marrs, CEO of Branded Pictures said it eloquently in his comments posted on The Madison Avenue Journal:

"If the current industry is built on jargon and handles, Keith is one of the truly extraordinary individuals who not only had a clear vision of what he thought the advertising world should look like, but a determined and disciplined way of inspiring other to join in his cause. He lives what he preaches and leads by example. His constant quest for knowledge and always wanting to understand what's next is a refreshing departure from a business that is more interested in its past than its future.

My favorite inspiration for how I conducted business at Tribal, and truthfully apply it in my current capacity, is Keith's Four Freedoms. But in particular, the Freedom to Fail stands out. In a creative business, failure is a given but providing a framework for risk taking is nothing short of genius. It is his unique insights, yearning for knowledge and firm grasp of the creative dynamic that makes Keith special. It is also his compassion and passion that is inspirational. He has had a profound impact on me both personally and professionally and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to apprentice in his shadow for a short period of time."

Posted on January 12, 2009 3:16 PM | Permalink