Advertising Guru and Author Linda Kaplan Thaler Shares Her Wisdom & Strategy on the Power of Being Nice

Co-host Brad Forsythe interviews Linda Kaplan Thaler — CEO, Kaplan Thaler Group and author of The Power of Nice. Linda Kaplan Thaler has been responsible for some of the most touching, relevant and famous commercials during her 25 years in the advertising and entertainment business. She is acclaimed within the industry for her innovative and topical approach. Much of her work has become part of the American pop-culture landscape. She has authored and composed campaign jingles that are among the industry’s gold standard. Some examples are: “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid” (Toys ‘R’ Us), “Kodak Moments” (Eastman Kodak), and “The Heart of Communication” (Bell Atlantic). Of her 13 Clio Awards, two were for Best Original Music and Lyrics. A native New Yorker, Linda was a Phi Beta Kappa and Magna cum Laude graduate of CCNY, with a BA in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Music. Today, Linda is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer of The Kaplan Thaler Group, which she founded in 1997. KTG has been ranked by industry publications as the fastest-growing New York agency and touted for its breakthrough creative and immediate results. Its blue-chip clients include Procter & Gamble’s Clairol Herbal Essences, Dawn and Swiffer, Aflac, Continental Airlines, Marshalls, Pfizer, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Office Depot, Outback Steakhouse, the American Red Cross, Revlon, U.S. Bank and Trojan. Last year, Linda starred as the host of Oxygen’s new television series called “Making It Big” where young professionals competed for their dream job. To launch the show, Linda created a promotional campaign which has won the 2006 Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Commercial Campaign. Linda has also appeared on Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” as an advertising expert. Linda’s many achievements have garnered awards from: New York Women in Communication’s Matrix Award for Advertising (2000), 2004 UJA Mac Dane Humanitarian Award, Women’s Leadership Exchange Compass Award (2005), Advertising Women of New York’s “Advertising Woman of the Year” Award (2001), The YWCA’s Academy of Women Achievers, Advertising Age’s “100 Best & Brightest Women”, Crain’s “100 Most Influential Women in Business.” For entertaining advice join hosts, Ray Schilens and Brad Forsythe, for a lively and informative discussion.

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