We never met, but I shall never forget his willingness to help and guide me once. I was just starting out in the poltical business. Had a client running for Mayor of Chicago. My role was to create several radio spots for the campaign. It was quite a tumultuous period in chicago politics - 1987. I developed two initial spots for the campaign. Most of the staff opposed reminding voters of the council wars that had dominated/fueled much of the controversy. Yet I felt (through Tony's works) that this was a way to connect to what people were focused on. Out of the blue I called him. He took my call and we talked for about a half hour. I played the spots for him. The first one he really chewed me out for doing something so typical. The second he loved. told me it achieved exactly what I was reaching for. Asked why the campaign wouldn't run with it and told me to stick by it. I did, but the camapign pulled the plug and the piece never aired...We only spoke once again after that. When he was consulting for a chicago candidate...Tony taught me so much in that 30 minutes or so that we talked...Thank you again Tony. Thank you!
Tony-I remember when you crossed over and thought you may do your best work, working from above-instead of mid-town. You taught me the fundamentals of all I know, let me hold your academy award and sat there and opened my eyes on the finer points of all media....that was 12 years ago and Anne at the pet store had introduced us. thanks for loaning me your last copies of your books that I returned to you for your library. Genius, extraordinary man and a gift to the world. Rest in peace, my note is late, because with all the nuclear threats today I am thinking, what would Tony script? Praise be to God and thanks. Robin
In my peak years running Roommate Finders in New York City, I was spending over $100,000 a year in advertising, back in the 1980s and 1990s. I was exposed to Tony Schwartz through a friend who interviewed him for a book he was writing. My office was near Tony Schwartz's. Back then before the Internet, it was not easy to find his books so I went in person to buy his books.
In the course of our conversation, I asked him how he got the name Anthony for a guy whose last name is Schwartz. He told me his mom always wanted a girl and was going to name her Antoinette.
What a great guy he was and his sense humor will always be remembered.
Had the opportunity to speak with Tony and Reenah once or twice several years before his passing, as I was researching his books and videos.
Though his hand was unsteady, he graciously offered to sign my copies of The Responsive Chord and Media The Second God, pressing pen to paper so hard that his signature was embossed onto two or three succeeding pages.
Though he is gone, Tony's unique contributions to our understanding of media and culture are his enduring legacy. Through them he continues to challenge, inspire, and instruct us.
Date:
6/9/2009, 2:11 am, EST
Name:
Tony markou
Email:
Number:
20
I just wanted to say may the Lord rest his soul in His Kingdom he has really made a difference in many people's lives. I met him only through the antismoking video. He was a man with true love and interest towards all people. God bless his family and freinds hope to see him again in the world to come.
We never met but I read all his books and he was the one person I always made mention of when talking about how to craft messages and how to communicate. I have his books and tapes and often listen to them before I start a campaign. We spoke once on the phone and he was kind and gracious. I came on the website and was unaware of his passing. I am truly sorry. RIP -- John Kern
Hello, I recently heard of the Tony's passing. I travel alot and the news never caught up to me. I am David Goerlitz and I am the former Winston Man that Tony took under his wing 20 years ago and helped me realize my passion and set me on my path to educating kids about the dangers of tobacco use. He, was the most brilliant, kind and generous man I have ever met. His passion for his work was like electricity and you felt it all through your body when you had the pleasure of spending time with him in his studio. I just am so sorry, the world has lost a great pioneer. I had the pleasure of speaking with him by phone a year in 2007, I believe and I am so glad I had a chance to thank him for course he helped me lay out to continue my work. He produces 3 or 4 PSA's within a day and got them on the air quickly, just by asking the people in charge of the studio. He was such a respected man, and I can't tell you how much he meant to me and my cause. I'm sure you know how many lives Tony has touched. God Bless You.
David Goerlitz, former Winston Man
Date:
11/20/2008, 5:14 pm, EST
Name:
Kalonica McQuesten
Number:
16
I have just discovered the radio show, RadioLab.org and was listening to the season one episode about time. While listening to the sound of a girl growing up, from infancy to age 12, compressed to a natural sounding 2'12", I began to weep from the profundity. When they credited Tony Schwartz, I had to learn more. It took several clicks and a few more minutes to then find out the sad news that he had passed away six months ago. I am so sorry, yet, I had to express here how grateful I am to now have discovered his work. I will cherish all of it.