Released thirteen years after their first automobile rolled off the production line, this advertisement remains an enduring part of automobile and marketing history as an example of the influence and significance of setting a brand apart as a leader in innovation and quality. Cadillac was formed following a split between Henry Ford and investors William Murphy and Lemuel Bowen when the latter brought in engineer Henry M. Leland and began producing single-cylinder automobiles. Cadillac would go on to become one of the most sought-after and respected American automobile manufacturers and remains an innovative leader to this day.
This ad was produced in stark contrast to other advertisements of the time, which featured full color and splashy graphics, unlike the minimal and heightened aesthetic to distinguish this piece and engage the reader. Theodore F. MacManus, the writer of the piece, explained the objective of the advertisement by stating, "The real suggestion to convey is that the man manufacturing the product is an honest man, and that the product is an honest product, to be preferred above all others."
This work became an enduring part of Cadillac's legacy, and it's even claimed that Elvis Presley kept a framed copy in his home as an inspiration and reminder to strive to produce a quality product. Cadillac's reputation for precision manufacturing and reliability was cemented in the same year as this publication with the release of their V8, which became the fastest car available on the market at the time.
Released thirteen years after their first automobile rolled off the production line, this advertisement remains an enduring part of automobile and marketing history as an example of the influence and significance of setting a brand apart as a leader in innovation and quality. Cadillac was formed following a split between Henry Ford and investors William Murphy and Lemuel Bowen when the latter brought in engineer Henry M. Leland and began producing single-cylinder automobiles. Cadillac would go on to become one of the most sought-after and respected American automobile manufacturers and remains an innovative leader to this day.
This ad was produced in stark contrast to other advertisements of the time, which featured full color and splashy graphics, unlike the minimal and heightened aesthetic to distinguish this piece and engage the reader. Theodore F. MacManus, the writer of the piece, explained the objective of the advertisement by stating, "The real suggestion to convey is that the man manufacturing the product is an honest man, and that the product is an honest product, to be preferred above all others."
This work became an enduring part of Cadillac's legacy, and it's even claimed that Elvis Presley kept a framed copy in his home as an inspiration and reminder to strive to produce a quality product. Cadillac's reputation for precision manufacturing and reliability was cemented in the same year as this publication with the release of their V8, which became the fastest car available on the market at the time.