About Mad Mensch
Have I got stories for you!
Mad Mensch, Starting Out, '65
I was there. In New York ad agencies during the Mad Men years of the ‘60s and glitz and glamour of the ‘70s.
I was there. At Woodstock and Fire Island when creativity was naked and so were we.
I was there. In LA, during the drug days and Hollywood haze of the ‘80s and ‘90s. And I’m still here, working with terrific people and loving this meshuggah business.
I’m Howie Cohen, the guy who wrote, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing” and “Try it, you’ll like it” for Alka Seltzer – both in the Clio Hall of Fame.
In this blog, I’ll be sharing fun stories from the past along with some insights into the future.
I hope to add a little smile to your day.
And, if you happen to learn a little something about advertising or people
or life, it couldn’t hurt.
Howie Cohen is a partner and Chief Creative Officer of The Phelps Group, a leading independent integrated marketing communications agency in Santa Monica, California.
Comments
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time April 19, 2010 at 9:21 am
Hey Phil, thanks for the kind words. You have the distinct honor of being my very first comment!
This week is the official launch of madmensch and I want to include stories
from all the great people who “were there.” Please send me any funny, provocative, insightful, menschy
stories you’ve got and I will post them with attribution.
Comment from Jerry C
Time April 20, 2010 at 4:00 am
What great reading and remembering the past. I love it. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading!
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time April 20, 2010 at 9:23 am
Thanks. The memories are propelling my fingers. I’m writing as fast as I can. :)
Comment from Hank Shaw
Time April 21, 2010 at 10:12 am
What a great read! I can hear Howie’s voice telling the story. Of course — having worked with him for the past 12 years — that isn’t always a good thing.
Congratulations on a great start, partner! Keep ‘em coming.
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time April 21, 2010 at 10:27 am
Hey Hank, wait til you see an upcoming post with me on my BSA 650cc badass bike in ’66. Were you riding then?
Comment from Nancy Shonka Padberg
Time April 21, 2010 at 11:57 am
Howie, Congratulations! My favorite meetings at The Phelps Group were with you – I knew I would learn something insightful and find a nugget of wisdom. Thanks my friend, I look forward to your blog stories! Hello to Carol – nice photo of the two of you in ’74! Cheers! Nancy
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time April 21, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Thanks Nancy, I’m having fun! Hope all is well – send my best to David.
Comment from Jill Atkinson
Time April 22, 2010 at 4:15 am
Howie – I *wasn’t* there until the late seventies, but thought I had heard most of the stories from some of the greats who were. Until I read your blog, that is. What a find. What a read. What a wonderful discovery. Thanks for sharing your stories … please keep ‘em coming. Cheers – Jill
Pingback from Tweets that mention » About Mad Mensch — Topsy.com
Time April 22, 2010 at 9:03 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sharon DeVellis, Leslie Ehm. Leslie Ehm said: Back in the 'ad' day. Check out this blog by a guy who was there http://ow.ly/1BFZY [...]
Comment from John Johnson
Time April 22, 2010 at 11:36 am
“drug days and Hollywood haze of the 80′s and 90′s”? Golly, I seem to have missed out on all the fun. Must’ve been at the beach with my metal detector. Looking forward to reading more of your blogs, Howie, and would pay big bucks to know who that blonde copywriter was that you rescued during the big black-out.
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time April 22, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Hi John, I’m about to become a blogging fool. Follow me everywhere. I wish I could tell you who the blond was, but it was dark.
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time April 22, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Lots more to come, Jill. Can’t wait to share. And thanks for following.
Comment from Ed Chambliss
Time April 22, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Congrats, Howie. Who knew you could write copy this long? ;)
Looking forward to the stories about the PETCO years.
Cheers!
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time April 22, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Thanks Ed. I’ll get to Petco in about 3 decades. Just kidding. I’ll be skipping around through time. Appreciate the support.
Comment from bob uhl
Time April 23, 2010 at 10:12 am
I still like Jerry better.
Comment from Mark Johnson
Time April 23, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I’ve had the cosmic experience of working with this gifted storyteller since January, 1979. If you want the REAL inside scoop about the MadMensch for the past 31 years, you only have to ask. (Cash donations wouldn’t hurt either.)
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time April 23, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Hey Markie, don’t tell lies about me and I won’t tell the truth about you. :)
Comment from al hampel
Time April 24, 2010 at 7:05 am
Just lucked on to Mad Mensch and loved it. Im shopping a memoir, “Sticking My Ads Out” the story of my life and how I too became a Mad Man. So much Yiddish it’s driving my goyeshe editor crazy.
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time April 25, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Hi Al, I love your title. As for the editor, Just tell him if it isn’t yiddish it doesn’t sell. Thanks for the kind words.
Comment from Eric Abromson
Time May 5, 2010 at 10:51 am
Good stuff, Howie! Here’s to creating some new memories together in the near future…
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time May 5, 2010 at 11:06 am
Thanks man, the best is yet to come!
Comment from Joe Buhler
Time May 13, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Great stories, Howie! But admit it, nothing beats Amadeo and his line “why do I do it? I do it for YOU…!” still brings a smile to my face, ten years after.
Comment from Rob Schwartz
Time May 15, 2010 at 8:39 am
Howie, you’re a legend. And your blog brings our business to life. Keep it up.
Comment from Andy
Time May 15, 2010 at 10:21 pm
I’ve read some of it. Cool. Lots of ‘back stories’.
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time June 8, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Thanks Andy, lots more to come. Back stories, front stories, all stories.
Comment from Olivia Trager Altschuler
Time June 10, 2010 at 7:20 am
Hey, I like Mad Men. Also like your comments.
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time June 10, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Thanks, please keep coming back.
Comment from Barry e
Time July 5, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I’m sitting with brother Jerry having dinner reading about Adolph. Very funny. Love the stories
Barry e
Comment from Peter Adler
Time August 31, 2010 at 11:42 am
Re: MadMensch. Love the name and your stuff Howie. I was there too, graduated Cooper Union in 1954.
Comment from Barney Melsky
Time November 4, 2010 at 11:46 am
There’s nothing better then getting a tribute that’s not postumous. Barney
Comment from Steve Congdon
Time November 22, 2010 at 11:22 am
Hey there! Glad to have found this site. And I look forward to a story… or dozens.
Comment from Mona Liebers Tenedine
Time December 20, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Howie,
Charlie Moss is my father’s cousin. Thanks for the stories and for recognizing his talents. My grandmother would appreciate it.
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time December 20, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Thanks, Charlie is one of my great mentors!
Comment from Dennis Horlick
Time December 22, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Hi Howie-
Last time we were together in N.Y. we were buying suits cheap at Barneys. That’s before it was cool to go to Barney’s. We were with Howard Silverman.
Funny, I’ve been putting these stories on paper for 30 years. Never did anything with them, but I got a million of them. I got in the business in 1962 at Smith/Greenland. Those certainly were the days. We’ll never see them again.
Louie Musachio was my mentor and believe me I could fill a book with only Louie stories. George Lois was and is my God and I have been in touch with him fairly recently.
Now I’m gonna read some of your stories and I hope they’re as funny as Bob Tore says they are. If they’re not, I’ll send you a few of my own. Louie and the hooker comes to mind.
Thanks for the site. Dennis (The Ace)
Comment from marguerita bornstein
Time January 28, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Hello Howie,
I have a vague memory that we have met in the last century…. yes or no??????
Let me know
Marguerita
the poignant frog
Comment from Tony Zamora
Time May 10, 2011 at 6:11 am
Love the story, only people in business would believe it.
They were great days, even the sad outcomes don’t
Diminish the fun we all had. Thanks.
Comment from Aaron Rosenblatt
Time May 19, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Brilliant! You brought back great/vivid memories; made me laugh all over again. And again.
Thank you.
Comment from Bonnie
Time June 18, 2011 at 7:01 am
Love the stories! I was just a young account exec finding my way on Hills Bros Coffee, Carnation Hot Cocoa and DEP (just blooowww drry). You and Mark were great thought leaders who passed down much wisdom. Kept Mark’s agency perspectives for years and years until they got lost in a move. Not many agencies get together will all their staff and keep them off the treadmill. Thank you (both)!
Comment from Aaron Royer
Time July 22, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Howie,
I’m working on a project for Google, and we are trying to reach you to discuss Alka Seltzer. Please email me at aaronr@johannesleonardo.com. Thanks,
Aaron Royer, Content Producer, Johannes Leonardo
Comment from Lauree Berger
Time August 16, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Hi Howie, met you sunday nite at bill vogel’s birthday bash. remembered doyle dane days in late 60′s when I was hired as american airline stewardess for them. it was fun meeting you and Carol. Looking forward to the shitock. (s?)
best to you both,
lauree
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time August 16, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Nice meeting you, too, Lauree. With Carol on the case, I’m sure there’s a Chorus Line of eligible J-men in your future.
Best,
Howie
Comment from Dan Ferrara
Time October 11, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Howie, I enjoyed your stories, the best story that I remember about you is when you elected to take the famous speech class at NYU and in the beginning as you read your assignments to us you were very unsure as the term progressed you became more and more confident until you did not bother to practice with your captive audience.
Comment from Tony Adamich
Time October 29, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Howie, I was told that you died years ago…is this an apparition?
Comment from Mad Mensch
Time October 29, 2011 at 7:07 pm
I am the ghost of Howie Cohen. Same guy only a little less Jewish.
Comment from Burt Purmell
Time November 16, 2011 at 5:17 am
Great stories that I enjoy reading!!
Comment from AllyH
Time November 17, 2011 at 3:50 pm
A shout out from Calgary, Canada…love the stories – its my insight into a world that is so far from home but so close in kind.
Comment from Steven Gilder
Time November 23, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Did you work with Howie Lazarus on the Alka Seltzer spots? He was an editor in NYC. I’m a producer in LA and lived next door to Bob Pasqualina. Loved his Blue Porsche
Comment from Phil Peppis
Time April 17, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Finally we hear from someone who actually was there. Nice job, unlike the MadMen crap. Your stuff is the best thing I’ve seen since Architectural Digest showed us Mary Wells and her
nice little boat.