Ads Quote by Augusten Burroughs
“In general, advertising isn't a "creative" atmosphere. It's a business atmosphere and your job is puzzle solving. My favorite aspect of the business, I guess, was presenting to clients. What I enjoyed least were the clients. Worried corporate brand managers, trying to dumb-down their ads for the stupid American population. I hated the disrespect that these people had for "consumers."”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 2010
Advertising is a business problem‑solving field, not a purely creative one, and client interactions can be both rewarding and frustrating.
In simple terms: Ads are business puzzles; client attitudes vary.
Key Takeaway
Focus on the puzzle, not the client’s ego.
Themes
advertising
business
client relations
creativity
Mood
frustrated
determined
analytical
Type
advice
reflective
motivational
When to use this quote
- pitch meetings
- campaign strategy
- client negotiations
- team brainstorming
- handling difficult clients
Key Concepts
problem solving
brand management
consumer perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance client expectations with creative integrity?
- What strategies help you stay motivated when clients are difficult?
A Different Perspective
Clients may resist innovative ideas, limiting creative freedom.
![“The most recent incarnation of [Bob] Dylan has been the traveling journeyman/ charlatan who sings roots music, snarls dark lyrics that make "All Along the Watchtower" sound like a Disney tune, hosts an old-school radio show, and turns up in some unusual places, like ads for Chrysler and Victoria's…” quote by Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/734/jay-michaelson-15590_ads_the-most-recent-incarnation-of-bob-dylan_17700.jpg)
