The Greatest Copywriter You've Probably Never Heard Of

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I'm an "old school" kind of guy. Even though I'm relatively young (44), I like music that dates back to the fifties. I prefer black and white movies over color, and I love going back in time and leafing through decades old magazines and studying the ads. There was some great copywriting produced back in the fifties, sixties and seventies. Many of the greatest ads in history were created by copywriting legends like Gary Halbert, David Ogilvy, Victor Schwab, Leo Burnett and John Caples. Names I'm sure many of you are familiar with.

But there's one name that you may not be so familiar with. And it's a shame, because he's every bit as talented as the aforementioned legends. His name is Drew Eric Whitman, a.k.a "Dr. Direct." I'm a fan of his, and I'm here to give him his "props."

Drew has created powerfully effective advertising for some of the largest and most successful companies on the planet, including: American Automobile Association, Advertising Specialty Institute, American Legion, Amoco, Faber-Castell. Texaco, Day-Timers, and many others.

If you're a copywriter or marketer and haven't heard of Drew Eric Whitman, do yourself a favor. Google him, and buy his books. His work is absolutely brilliant. You can thank me later.

David Jackson
#copywriter #greatest #greatest copywriter #heard
  • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
    Originally Posted by ContentArticleWriter View Post

    David, thanks for the info. Do not recall ever hearing Dr. Direct's name but I will look him up. It is always good to learn new things.
    You're quite welcome.

    David Jackson
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  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Originally Posted by David Jackson View Post

    His name is Drew Eric Whitman, a.k.a "Dr. Direct." I'm a fan of his, and I'm here to give him his "props."
    Ca$hvertising is on my desk right now.
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    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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  • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
    Now that's what I'm talking about CDarklock!

    David Jackson
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    David, I am thrilled to have come across a thread by you today. I am still a fan. ;-)
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    Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
    Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
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    • Profile picture of the author Ross Bowring
      Drew's book is excellent. An energetic mesh of all the classic DR wisdom.

      We drive by the "Nifty Fifties" restaurant he talks about in the book on the way to my in-laws in North-East Philly. I need to eat there one of these days and see what the fuss is all about.

      --- Ross
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    • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
      Originally Posted by tpw View Post

      David, I am thrilled to have come across a thread by you today. I am still a fan. ;-)
      Thanks, Bill. I appreciate hearing that.

      David Jackson
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      • Profile picture of the author perryny
        Hi David,

        Brand new to copywriting guy here, and I purchased Ca$hvertising based on so many recommendations.

        I think more people may be more familiar with Dr. Direct than you may realize.

        Good stuff.
        -Rob
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        • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
          Originally Posted by perryny View Post

          Hi David,

          I think more people may be more familiar with Dr. Direct than you may realize.
          Hi Rob:

          I guess I shouldn't be surprised so many warriors are familiar with Dr. Direct. That speaks volumes about their sophistication and dedication to their craft.

          David Jackson
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          • Profile picture of the author Robert Brauer
            I agree that Cashvertising is a great new book on copywriting.

            Plus, if you haven't read any work by Joe Sugarman that should be your number one priority. He's the inventor and copywriter for one of the all time greatest pulling pieces of work...The BluBlocker sunglasses.

            Otherwise you can't go wrong with anything by Jay Abraham, Eben Pagan, or John Caples.
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            • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
              Originally Posted by prophetmktg View Post

              I agree that Cashvertising is a great new book on copywriting.

              Plus, if you haven't read any work by Joe Sugarman that should be your number one priority. He's the inventor and copywriter for one of the all time greatest pulling pieces of work...The BluBlocker sunglasses.
              I dare say, everybody's familiar with Sugarman.

              David Jackson
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  • Profile picture of the author Johnny12345
    Drew is one of my absolute favorites. He's probably better know as "The Ad Surgeon" because of the great ad critiques he does.

    Cashvertising is a tremendous value for $10. And his older online articles were pure gold.

    John
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    • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
      Originally Posted by Johnny12345 View Post

      Drew is one of my absolute favorites. He's probably better know as "The Ad Surgeon" because of the great ad critiques he does.
      You and I and many others know him as "The Ad Surgeon. But these days, he prefers to be called "Dr. Direct." He even trademarked it.

      David Jackson
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  • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod
    You can follow Drew Eric Whitman on Twitter... he gives good tweet:

    Drew Eric Whitman (DrewEricWhitman) on Twitter
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
      Cashvertising is a popular book in this forum.

      I figured you were going to say someone like Bruce Barton. His salesletter in 1919 was swiped by Martin Conroy and recrafted into the famous Wall Street Journal letter that did over 1 BILLION dollars in sales.

      Copywriting: Bruce Barton's Original "Wall Street Journal" Letter

      What I think is more impressive is Barton's salesletter that got a 100% response rate in 1925:

      Bruce Fairchild Barton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

      Mind you, it was only sent to 24 people but the price tag for buying was $1000 which was a lot of money in 1925.

      Barton was also a congressman at one point, cofounder of an advertising agency, and best-selling non-fiction author.

      So Whitman is a good choice but Barton would have been my vote.

      Take care,

      Mike
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      • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
        Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys View Post

        Whitman is a good choice but Barton would have been my vote.
        That's what makes the world go round. We all have differences of opinion.

        David Jackson
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      • Profile picture of the author docsulo
        Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys View Post

        Cashvertising is a popular book in this forum.

        I figured you were going to say someone like Bruce Barton. His salesletter in 1919 was swiped by Martin Conroy and recrafted into the famous Wall Street Journal letter that did over 1 BILLION dollars in sales.
        Bruce Barton did write for the Alexander Hamilton Institute but I'm not sure where Andrew Cavanagh got his info on Barton writing the 1919 ad. I have not found anything that identifies the author of that ad.

        Mr. Cavanagh?
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Newman
        Thank you very much,Mike.I have been looking for Barton's letter.
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  • Profile picture of the author Monika Mundell
    Originally Posted by David Jackson View Post


    If you're a copywriter or marketer and haven't heard of Drew Eric Whitman, do yourself a favor. Google him, and buy his books. His work is absolutely brilliant. You can thank me later.

    David Jackson
    Hi David,

    Never heard of the guy before, but thanks to you I'm now eagerly waiting for my book to be shipped.

    Rock on!
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan Williams
      I've got two shelves full of marketing and copywriting books and Drew's seems to have double the "dogeared" pages as any other....must be I thought it was a good one

      Just stumbled on an ad the other day...think it was from 1962 ...maybe maytag or whirlpool...tagline said "Save money, Live Better" sounds strangely familiar:confused:
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    • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
      Originally Posted by Monika Mundell View Post

      Hi David,

      Never heard of the guy before, but thanks to you I'm now eagerly waiting for my book to be shipped.

      Rock on!
      You're quite welcome, Monika. Rock on!

      David Jackson
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  • Profile picture of the author AlanCarr
    That's Walmart's tagline isn't it?

    I'll second (third, fourth?) Cashvertising. One of the smallest and cheapest books on my shelves but a little cracker.


    AC
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  • Profile picture of the author kiwichamp
    I love the way Drew writes - I used to get his catalog and always read it from cover to cover. Bought my first laptop from him -

    Thanks so much David for reminding me about his work, and of course his book will soon be a part of my library!
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    • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
      Originally Posted by kiwichamp View Post

      I love the way Drew writes - I used to get his catalog and always read it from cover to cover. Bought my first laptop from him -

      Thanks so much David for reminding me about his work, and of course his book will soon be a part of my library!
      You're quite welcome, kiwichamp.

      David Jackson
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      • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
        The Greatest Copywriter You've Probably Never Heard Of
        That's absurd. There are dozens of top copywriters active today whose names are relatively unknown. To say that Whitman is "the greatest" is nothing more than hyperbole.

        Alex
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        • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
          Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

          That's absurd. There are dozens of top copywriters active today whose names are relatively unknown. To say that Whitman is "the greatest" is nothing more than hyperbole.
          It's an opinion. Sort of like the one you just posted. You know, those annoying little things that everyone seems to have. Now you may not agree with me - and that's fine. But I'm certainly entitled to my opinion - just like you're entitled to yours.

          David Jackson
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          • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
            Originally Posted by David Jackson View Post

            It's an opinion. Sort of like the one you just posted. You know, those annoying little things that everyone seems to have. Now you may not agree with me - and that's fine. But I'm certainly entitled to my opinion - just like you're entitled to yours.

            David Jackson
            Opinions not based on fact are worthless.

            Kool-Aid drinkers have a tendency to think their guru is "the greatest". I hope you don't fit into that category.

            It's unwise to put any man or woman on a pedestal. At some point, disappointment ensues.

            Alex
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            • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
              Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

              Kool-Aid drinkers have a tendency to think their guru is "the greatest". I hope you don't fit into that category.

              It's unwise to put any man or woman on a pedestal. At some point, disappointment ensues.
              At no point did I refer to DEW as a "guru." You did. Personally, I don't consider anyone a guru. And I certainly don't place anyone upon a pedestal. No one. My giant "Leo" ego just won't allow me to do that. That being said, I do enjoy an ice-cold glass of Kool-Aid every now and then. Preferably, grape.

              David Jackson
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              • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
                Originally Posted by David Jackson View Post

                At no point did I refer to DEW as a "guru." You did. Personally, I don't consider anyone a guru. And I certainly don't place anyone upon a pedestal. No one. My giant "Leo" ego just won't allow me to do that. That being said, I do enjoy an ice-cold glass of Kool-Aid every now and then. Preferably, grape.

                David Jackson
                None of which changes the facts ...
                • You called him "the greatest"
                • Your opinion was not based on fact
                Alex
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    • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
      Originally Posted by kiwichamp View Post

      I love the way Drew writes - I used to get his catalog and always read it from cover to cover. Bought my first laptop from him -

      Thanks so much David for reminding me about his work, and of course his book will soon be a part of my library!
      Different guy. I think you mean Drew Alan Kaplan of DAK who, if he ever
      writes a book about how to do copy, I'd buy it as soon as it came out.
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  • Profile picture of the author AlanCarr
    OK, let's settle for the greatest that you might not have heard of but seems quite a few of us have already, including getting the book and T-shirt...


    AC
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      Funny thing is that the biggest direct mail companies haven't probably heard of him either...because they don't use him.

      The A listers they use and the companies that hire them, say a guy by the initials of G.B. is the best, purely because he has the highest strike rate. Ask John Carlton and Clayton Makepeace... the late Gary Halbert recognized him for it too.

      These guys are pitted against each other by these direct mail companies because they only care about the money the writers make for them.

      I personally know one of those A listers and her family, so I do get the inside scoop, which let's me know who's playing silly EGO games.

      All the best,

      Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author lchiles
    Looks like a winner. Thanks for the introduction. I haven't heard of him but I will see if the book is on my Kindle.

    Thanks!
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