Capital New York

hdavids1 commented on The real story of 'Headless Body in Topless Bar,' as argued by veterans of the 'Post'

I was a young copywriter at New York Post's then agency Lerner, King Associates (partly owned by Rupert Murdoch) whose primary job was doing the daily and weekly promotions for the paper in radio and TV. I often sat in on the daily editorial conference with the Post's highly colorful crew to take notes for what I would feature in the next day's morning drive radio spot or weekly TV commercial. Under Rupert's regime - and influenced by the many former Fleet Streeters he had imported to the Post - the goal was the most outrageous headline possible each day, since "sensationalism" sold papers. Our advertising took a similar cue. I missed being in attendance for that day's historical event, but when I called in that evening to speak to the night editor for what would be in the next day's paper, I do remember speaking with Vinnie who couldn't even focus on any other story because of the sensational nature of the headline. Naturally it was the lead - and the finale - to my 60 second live script promoting that day's edition. And I fondly recall calling in the script to about a dozen stations about 10 that evening (no email or even faxes back then!) and getting the same incredulous reaction from all twelve. Of course, not only was the headline memorable, it sold a shitload of papers back when the Post and News were in a dogfight for circulation. Howard Davidson Creative Director, IDEALUTION

Posted on January 30th, 2012 1:29pm