Leadership Encouragement “A Good Story”
A Good Story
The year was 1977. The name of the company was Image Factory. They manufactured belt buckles for record companies as well as t-shirts for various bands and artists. Image Factory had the rights to sell a poster that featured a popular actress from the hit television show “Charlie’s Angels.” That “Angel” was Farrah Fawcett. Already known for her appearances on “The Six Million Dollar Man” with then husband Lee Majors–the poster-sized image of Fawcett wearing a red one-piece bathing suit grabbed headlines and attention for Image Factory.
Seizing on their good fortune, Image Factory took another chance. They approached writer, director, and producer George Lucas and offered him $100,000 to market a poster based on his new movie, “Star Wars.” Lucas took their money, but thought the company was nuts.
Their risk paid off. In 1977, Image Factory sold more than $750,000 worth of posters that had only one character on it: Darth Vader. There new sci-fi poster well out-paced the one of a 70s sex symbol in a swim suit.
Here’s the lesson: a good story with compelling characters is a powerful combination. Together, they can capture the hearts and minds of an entire generation. In fact, they can become even more captivating than the image of a sex symbol.
Brian Sanders serves as Executive Vice President of Positive Alternative Radio. He regularly writes and speaks on leadership topics.
His new book, “Leadership Endurance,” can be purchased HERE.
