An Original Collection of Provocative and Powerful Essay's by R. B. STUART. Her Work Begins and Ends at the Crux of Truth, Sorrow and Humor---Capable of Slicing Through Your Psyche and Piercing Your Heart.
BY R. B. STUART
Post Thirty-Eight
Original Interview from 2009
International ad man (and proclaimed ‘great dancer’), Donny Deutsch morphed into a rapid fire orator, author, Indy film producer and acclaimed talk show host of CNBC’s, “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.” Deutsch appeared on the celebrity scene with the debut of his television show by interviewing America's most influential entrepreneurs and business titans. It spawned a new book in January 2009, “THE BIG IDEA: How to Make Your Entrepreneurial Dreams Come True from the AHA Moment to Your First Million.”
His life, packed with as many
projects as his punchy, straight talking purr---is orchestrated by three
assistants from his massive 14th floor, 130,000
sq/ft. Manhattan headquarters, where
Deutsch sits as Chairman of Deutsch
Inc. As they celebrate their 40th anniversary, the roster of
prestigious clients include; Johnson & Johnson, Anheuser-Busch, InBev, DIRECTV, Kodak and IKEA.
The highly secured ad
agency saddles two coasts. Since 1999 the West Side Chelsea location has housed
a portion of the 1,000 employees, where most dressed in jeans, glide across
concrete floors on silver scooters. With
terraces wrapping around nearly all four corners of the space, you’re greeted
by a receptionist overshadowed by a mammoth brushed steel counter---the DEUTSCH
brand illuminated and etched on its façade.
The receptionist’s overhead pages echo throughout the
exposed HVAC and metal piped ceilings like an airport terminal. The windows of
this open, raw design, frames a panoramic view of the city bustling below.
Deutsch’s office, no more stately than the other executives, overflows into a
private conference room. It’s the epitome of transparency---with the third wall
made of glass. And only steps away from Deutsch Commons, a sunken loft size room with a pool table,
ping pong, and arcade games where employees gather for lunch, meetings or
parties.
Deutsch, an impeccably dressed
Wharton School graduate favors suits by Tom Ford, wears this day, a pair of
jeans with a custom Alfred Dunhill shirt made by Bruno. A Vintage Rolex strapped to
one wrist, and beaded, string bracelets on the other. A blend of
Bohemia meets affluence for this laid back Queens native whose motto is, “If
you want to be successful, surround yourself with people who are smarter than
you.”
His father David Deutsch an advertising veteran, began
Deutsch Associates in 1969. His tough love approach helped shape his son, at one point
firing him and saying, ‘Get the hell out of here and find something you’re
passionate about.’ That catapulted him to become a lawyer. Then at 26 years-old Donny
forfeited law school to intercept the sale
of his fathers company. Over an 18 year period the
once identity seeking Deutsch fell in love with advertising, and turned it into
a thriving 2.5 billion dollar agency. By
implementing his personal, “leaner, meaner, faster, smarter” philosophy, he transformed
the small advertising shop into a five time award
winning top 10 agency, which begot 300 million dollars in 2000 when they sold
the company.
With Donny remaining at the helm, his father advised
him early on, ‘do what you love.’ And he continues to….no matter what the
occupation. “My father probably had more
influence on me than anybody,” Deutsch admitted. “He taught me values as a man
and as a business man. And has been a tremendous influence on me as a teacher
and mentor. We’re very different in a lot of ways---but also very similar in
our overall values.”
In 2004 Deutsch stepped in front of the camera for CNBC
and hasn’t looked back. “I tell people if you sell something you have to be
prepared to let it go.” So instead, he’s no longer jolted in the middle of the
night about ad campaigns but a show idea. “The Big Idea” provides the right
amount of inspiration and intuition necessary, to nudge an entrepreneur with a
new patent into the marketplace. Deutsch is the motivational catalyst to many
peoples ideas and dreams. “One of the greatest thrills I’ve had is when someone
comes up to me or sends me a letter and says, ‘I started my business because of
the show. It motivated me.’ What a privilege it is to be part of something that
literally inspires people and effects their lives,” he conceded. “I don’t think
you can hope for anything more in any endeavor particularly in television. I’m
very fortunate to be part of that.”
Although his show is currently on hiatus, Deutsch can
be seen guest anchoring on CNBC’s “Reports” and “Power
Lunch,” with regular appearances on NBC’s “TODAY Show.” As the economy
sabotages peoples dreams, they’re less likely to risk capitol on new ventures.
But Deutsch says, “The counterintuitive answer is now is actually a good
time…if you’ve lost your job or may lose it. Out of the depression a lot of new
businesses were started. Because of adversity comes the necessity for new
thinking, the models broken so there’s opportunity. We will invent and build
our way out of this.”
Deutsch never dreamed his life would unfold as it has, but he always
knew he’d be successful. “I felt I had certain gifts, abilities and always
believed in myself and owe that to my parents,” he reflects. (He quickly reaches to extinguish his cell phone
ring tone of “Alvin and the Chipmunks.”) “Now I look back and say wow, I’ve been pretty
lucky.”
The Deutsch brand he explained,
“Has always been about empowerment, rugged individualistic achievement in terms
of going for your dreams and breaking some rules along the way. So I kind of
apply the same ethos to everything I do. And I get a kick out of that I’m able
to motivate and inspire people.” His trademark candor, bold and funny style has translated
well to print, penning his first business motivation book in 2005.
While he has become a brand he
isn’t thwarted by it. “You can argue it…a good brand is not for everyone. But
there is a core of set values (clearly defined) and if you’re in touch with
your value system and stay true to those, I don’t think there’s a downside,”
Deutsch remarked.
Whether at his Park Avenue
apartment or East Hampton home, when he has downtime Deutsch loves being with
his girls. “It’s clearly my favorite thing. Second place would be out to dinner with
friends. They’re the greatest therapy. Sitting two hours with people you
enjoy….laughing and having a drink. I find that a real joy.”
As a father of three daughters, “I
so enjoy being a Dad---I love it,” Deutsch beamed. “I call it little people
management. Managing is all about empathy and trying to understand the needs of
the other person. Kids are very simple, they thrive on tons of love, structure,
safety and fun. It comes natural to me because I had a great teacher, my
father. On a scale of 1 to 10 he’s 100.” His father, now 80 years-old. “Is my
greatest supporter, a fantastic artist and sharp as a tack. I should be like
him at 80.”
The best aspect of being Donny Deutsch he says is, “If
you’re lucky enough to achieve a level of stature, ascertain some money and
notoriety---there’s tremendous access and opportunities that comes with that.”
But he doesn’t rest on his laurels, Deutsch serves on the Executive Committee
of University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy & Practice, and the
Board of Directors for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
In 1992 he tasted politics for the first time as the lead
member of the Clinton/Gore communications team. It sparked rumor of Deutsch
running for NYC mayor, but he scoffed, “I’ve talked about it but I don’t think
I can…I’m a little too crazy---nothing horrible---just a lot of women---nothing
that’s not fun.” (He is single and twice divorced, his manager sitting in
rolled her eyes at his candor.) “What are you rolling your eyes at it’s no
secret,” he jested. “In France it would be a political platform.”
He noted, “Amongst my many
weaknesses, my biggest strength is public speaking. I find I’m able to inspire people
and am very lucky it’s a gift I have. Hopefully in 10 – 20 years I’ll be utilizing it whether
in philanthropy, on the media side or business, somehow they’ll understand it
and be enthralled by it.”
In the coming years Deutsch says we as a society have
to start looking at ourselves in a different way. “And start behaving
differently whether it’s not being gluttonous consumers to not trying to kick
the worlds ass anymore and play nicer. We’re going through a change as a
society---finding where we fit, in the world.”
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Permission. STUART ROAD MEDIA
