All Selling Aside With Alex Mandossian

In May of 1904, the young John E. Kennedy walked into the saloon at the Lord and Thomas Advertising Agency, the most powerful of its day. John sent a note upstairs via bellboy to Ambrose Thomas, a co-founder of the agency. The note read, “I am in the saloon downstairs. I can tell you what advertising is. I know you don’t know. It will mean much to me to have you know what it is, and it will mean much to you too. If you wish to know what advertising is, send the word “yes” down by the bellboy.”  Kennedy was a 20-year-old Canadian Mountie who was also a copywriter and looking for a job. In the room with Ambrose Thomas was Albert Lasker, the man who eventually took over the agency. Mr. Thomas was not impressed by Kennedy’s stunt, but Lasker found himself intrigued. He asked for permission to chat with Kennedy and Thomas gave in, so they bring the kid up and have a conversation. The discussion turned into a test in determining the true definition of advertising. Kennedy slowly drew Lasker in by asking questions i