Skip to content

When I die and go to hell, the devil is going to make me…

“When I die and go to hell, the devil is going to make me the marketing director for a cola company. I’ll be in charge of trying to sell a product that no one needs, is identical to its competition, and can’t be sold on its merits. I’d be competing head-on in the cola wars, on price, distribution…” quote by Yvon Chouinard
Download Open image
“When I die and go to hell, the devil is going to make me the marketing director for a cola company. I’ll be in charge of trying to sell a product that no one needs, is identical to its competition, and can’t be sold on its merits. I’d be competing head-on in the cola wars, on price, distribution, advertising, and promotion, which would indeed be hell for me. Remember, I’m the kid who couldn’t play competitive games. I’d much rather design and sell products so good and unique that they have no competition.”

Yvon Chouinard

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He likens a marketing role for a generic product to personal torment, preferring to create truly unique offerings without competition.

In simple terms: Marketing generic products feels like hell; creating unique products is ideal.

Key Takeaway

Seek originality over imitation.

Themes

creativity competition authenticity

Mood

frustrated determined

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • entrepreneurship
  • product development
  • brand strategy
  • personal fulfillment

Key Concepts

marketing product design brand identity

Questions to Reflect On

  • What unique value can you offer that no competitor can replicate?
  • How do you balance originality with market demand?
A Different Perspective

Even unique products face market pressures and resource limits.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Yvon Chouinard

Explore all 101 Yvon Chouinard quotes

More Advertising quotes

Browse all 1,942 Advertising quotes