Insurance ad campaign reminder of old message 

Liberty Mutual is running a television and print campaign about “responsibility.”  It prompts me to share this.

In the 1960’s, Newsweek ran a series of public service ads in the magazine.  They also called it a responsibility campaign.  I recall many of those messages.  But one stood out.  It had to do with the authenticity of work as a measure of one’s personal values. I have this favorite message posted in our office. The headline is: Would you sign your name (to the last piece of work you did?).  I thought you might like the whole text.  Simply substitute the word service for product if you decide to adapt the message for your agency bulletin board. 

Where are the individuals who are proud of their work? 

Where are those who would eagerly sign their name to a job they just completed?   

Where are those people who build a product of “lasting solidarity and exactness of beauty?” The careful people who love their tools, who take a walk before bedtime and think about their jobs? 

Don’t the individuals who unashamedly build an inferior product tarnish themselves and their industry? 

Will the people of the 22nd century collect our handiwork as proudly as we collect that of the 19th century?