James Durfee
Carl Ally Inc. President, Copy Director
chuukyuu What motivated you to be a copywriter?
Mr.Durfee Nothing motivated me to become a copywriter. In fact I never intended to become a copywriter. I intended to become an illustrator, an artist, but after two and a half years of art school I found I wasn't good ,enough. So I went on to college, got a big beautiful degree and joined J. Walter Thompson, in the mail room. That was in Detroit, in 1953. I might still be in the mail room if the copy chief had not held a contest to find a new cub writer.
chuukyuu Is it easy to establish a career in copywriting in the U.S.?
Mr.Durfee It's more difficult than it used to be because the competition is stiffer. More good writers are trying to get into the business today because more good writing is being done today. It is this, even more than the inflated salaries, that is bringing fresh, new talent into advertising.
