Lester Wunderman will be 89 years of age today. I say of age because to suggest, somehow, that he is 89 years old – puts way too much emphasis on the word old and may give the wrong impression to some who still, sadly, think in a linear fashion.
So while time does pass in a chronological order – we humans live our lives in any sequence we so choose – meaning that if I choose the Peter Pan route that is my prerogative and if I make myself prematurely serious and aged that too is my choice.
Now here is the thing. Lester knows more about the true workings of the Internet than anyone I know; his conceptualizations of where digital media is going, can go – is the stuff of science fiction – except its real; and his visualization of what he calls personal advertising might just be our next frontier.
And, there you are – of age – of accumulated wisdom and experience – of deep understanding and empathy – of life.
I am blessed to have Lester as a mentor and Lester and his dear wife Sue as cherished and beloved friends.
And, we are all blessed to be able to learn from him; his never ending font of knowledge and his goodness.
And, we can also learn a critical life lesson from Lester as well.
Listen:
It takes a long time to become young.
Pablo Picasso
And, there you have it – would that we all had his insatiable curiosity; his ability to connect esoteric dots and his sheer humanity – not to mention the energy – don’t forget the energy!
On his birthday – I wish him continued youth and I wish us all to be so young as well,
Let’s all wish Lester a Happy Birthday by showing the power of direct in its newest form. Tweet your birthday wish for Lester. Or RT those of others. Lester was always a trend-setter. Include #wman in your tweet.
Your comments have brought admiration and envy to my heart. Admiration towards Lester for his wisdom, energy and simply for being a unique professional and human being. Envy towards you, for being so lucky to have Lester in your life for so many years.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESTER!!!!!!
I like your phrasing. While Lester’s body may indeed have seen the earth go round the sun 89 times, his mind and his spirit are ageless. Lester spans multiple generations of thought — we’re all blessed by his knowledge and his ability to see always see marketing — life, the world — in new ways.
I remember hearing Lester speak in 1986 where he coined the term \Relationship Marketing\ — forecasting that brands had to do more than just generate transactions. He was so far ahead of his time (this was 10 years before the www) that we didn’t realize the meaning of his words. And he remains a man ahead of his time.
Lester Wunderman is the reason I have spent my entire marketing career at the company that bears his name. My career loyalty is a true anomaly in our industry. But then, so is Lester. Lester is our DNA. He continues to define our discipline. He is curious about things big and small. And he connects with immediacy and warmth. A good formula for a company. A great formula for a man. Thank you, Lester.
On Monday night of his actual birthday, Lester and Sue attended The Lion Presentation in Cannes, for the Direct category — as they always do.
The President of the Lion’s introduced him as the Father of Direct and wished him a happy birthday — at which point the entire Theatre broke into spontaneous applause. It was thrilling!!!!!
Well said David!
I spent several very productive and passionate years at Wunderman bringing direct and digital together and always marveled at Lester’s vision in “Being Direct” of how direct and digital are one.
His thinking is ageless …
Lester, may you live to 120 and beyond!
I worked at Wunderman for almost 20 years and was always inspired by Lester’s genius. It was truly special to say I worked there, and for him. 89 never seemed so young.
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