Episode Spotlight
Stepping on a few people on the climb to the top is common strategy
for those trying to succeed in business. Even entrepreneurs are guilty
of this approach, confusing aggressiveness with ambition. Our mothers
always told us that you catch more bees with honey, so why can’t we
apply this to business when trying to make connections that propel us
forward? After all, starting up a business requires a dose of kindness
when rounding up investors, partners and people who support your dream.
The
authors of The Power of Nice, Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval,
encourage the listeners of StartupNation Radio to plant the seeds of
niceness on their path of entrepreneurship. They outline ways to find
your inner nice guy and reasons why successful people have encouraged
rather than alienated others.
About Robin Koval
Robin
Koval has been a driving force in the advertising world for over 20
years. A marketing strategist and new products expert, her experience
spans almost every category from beauty and beverages to distilled
spirits and pharmaceuticals. Her successes include the daring “Yes,
Yes, Yes” of Herbal Essences and the Aflac Duck quack heard round the
world. Simply put, Robin helps marketers get noticed. While her mark
has been on the management side, her roots are creative, having begun
her career as a graphic designer. She has made an art form out of
problem solving and making her client’s sales skyrocket. Robin is the
President of The Kaplan Thaler Group and is responsible for the general
management of the agency including client services, strategic
development, and new business and KTG’s Buzz unit. A founding member of
the agency with Linda Kaplan Thaler, she has helped KTG grow from a
fledgling start-up to $1 billion dollars in billings.
About Linda Kaplan Thaler
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.
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.