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Rare Interview: Larry Tate – Advertising Icon
We recently caught up with advertising icon and genius Larry Tate in the men's grill at the ultra-posh country club where some of the biggest advertising deals of the last half of the 20th century were made. Mr. Tate rarely grants interviews but today he was "more relaxed" than usual. This is a rare interview indeed — his first interview in over 35 years.
Rude Boy: As a principal at McMann & Tate Advertising, you are one of the most famous icons the advertising industry has ever known. What was the proudest achievement in your brilliant and creative advertising career?
Larry Tate: When we landed the Wang Chung Noodle Company account, I came up with an absolutely splendid slogan: "Wang Chung Noodles--The Noodles That Taste Good."
Rude Boy: Gee, that's a super kick ass slogan Larry! Any other achievements top your career list?
Larry Tate: Well, there was the Gilbert's Gin Company account. After sampling the client's product over an extended period of research at groovy Lake Tahoe, I came up with the wonderfully fanciful slogan: "Gilbert's Gin—The Gin That Tastes Good."
"I put my number one man on your account."
Rude Boy: Again, another super kick ass slogan Larry! But didn't your number one adman Darrin Stephens actually write the slogans for Wang Chung Noodles and Gilbert's Gin? (We weren't about to touch the persistent industry rumor that he actually had two Darrin Stephens working for him around the clock at McMann & Tate).
Larry Tate: Maybe. Well, darn it, yes. But I was the one who made Darrin stay up late for weeks at a time to finish all the work while I took the clients to swanky country clubs for golf and lots of double martinis. You know...drinking heavily was a heck of a lot more acceptable during the '60s and '70s. And, if you got sloshed or asked for a double martini during a particularly stressful moment, it was perceived as pretty darn funny....none of this "politically incorrect" hoo-ha. Yep, pretty darn funny.
Rude Boy: So, you drank a lot of double martinis as a part of your job at McMann & Tate?
Larry Tate: I'm afraid you are confused, my good man. I'm an advertising executive with McMann & Tate and an advertising professional. But like anybody in this business I work hard and I play harder. The lines between business and pleasure gets a little blurry sometimes, know what I mean? All that matters really is the quality of the work. Don't you agree?
Rude Boy: Of course, Larry. Would you like something maybe a little alcoholic to drink right now?
"A double or a triple martini...hmmm."
Larry Tate: Yeah, a double martini -- no, better make it a triple. Now see? That is funny. And in my day, it was particularly funny to get really smashed and then slurringly ask for "jush one more li'l (hic) drinkie-winkie."
Rude Boy: As I said earlier, you are one of the most recognized ad industry icons ever. Do you think it's ironic that you have been more recognized in the advertising industry than, say, David Ogilvy, Leo Burnett or Donny Deutsch?
Larry Tate: (Hic) Who in the heck are those guys anyways? Can I get another triple martini here? Extra olives please (hic) and a little drier this time if you don't mind. By the way, you are picking up the tab here, right?
Rude Boy: It would be my pleasure Mr. Tate. We're on an expense account today.
Larry Tate: Good man, good man. Now, where is that super dry triple martini? (hic)
Rude Boy: Here comes your drink now I believe.
Larry Tate: (Sips his new martini several times) Mmm mmm good! Oh, I, ahhhh, came up with that slogan too....(hic)
"Two triples....good choice!"
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