Stuart R. Kaplan

Linda Kaplan Thaler is an American advertiser and author, born in January 1951, who holds the positions of CEO and President at Kaplan Thaler Productions. She is widely recognized for her significant contributions to advertising, including the creation of the Aflac duck campaign and the memorable "Yes, Yes, Yes" campaign for Clairol Herbal Essences. Kaplan Thaler has also authored and composed well-known jingles, such as "I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, I’m a Toys "R" Us Kid" and "Kodak Moments." Her career includes extensive experience in advertising agencies, founding her own successful group, and working on political campaigns. Beyond advertising, she has appeared on television, hosted her own series, and served as a judge on reality shows.

Kaplan Thaler's educational background includes a BS in psychology and a Master of Music from CCNY, where she was recognized as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honors society. She has received numerous accolades for her professional achievements, including induction into the American Advertising Hall of Fame and the Clio Lifetime Achievement Award. She has also been recognized by New York Women in Film and Television and held leadership roles in professional organizations. Kaplan Thaler has authored several books focusing on business success and personal development.

Linda Kaplan Thaler is a prominent figure in American advertising, celebrated for developing campaigns that have become deeply embedded in popular culture. Her creative output includes the iconic Aflac duck, a character that became synonymous with the insurance company, and the bold "Yes, Yes, Yes" advertising strategy for Clairol Herbal Essences. She also demonstrated her talent for memorable branding through composing jingles that achieved widespread recognition, such as "I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, I’m a Toys "R" Us Kid" and "Kodak Moments." Her career trajectory involved significant roles at major advertising firms like J. Walter Thompson and Wells Rich Greene before she established her own agency, The Kaplan Thaler Group, which she later rebranded as Kaplan Thaler Productions. Her influence extends to political advertising, where she contributed to campaigns for notable figures like Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Bradley.

Beyond her extensive career in advertising, Linda Kaplan Thaler is also an accomplished author, having penned several books that explore themes of success, perseverance, and positive influence in both professional and personal spheres. Her published works include "Bang! Getting Your Message Heard in a Noisy World," "The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness," "The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference," and "Grit to Great: How Perseverance Passion and Pluck Take You from Ordinary to Extraordinary." These books reflect her insights into navigating the business world and achieving extraordinary results through determination and strategic approaches. Kaplan Thaler also engages audiences as a motivational speaker, sharing her expertise and experiences with businesses and academic institutions.

Linda Kaplan Thaler's influence has also extended into the realm of television, where she has made appearances on well-known programs such as "The Apprentice," "Good Morning America," "TODAY," CNN, and Fox News. She has also hosted the Oxygen television series "Making It Big" and served as a judge on the reality competition "Jingles." Her professional achievements have garnered significant recognition within the industry. In 2015, she was inducted into the American Advertising Hall of Fame, and she received the 2016 Clio Lifetime Achievement Award. Furthermore, she was honored as the first woman in advertising to receive the New York Women in Film and Television's Muse Award. Kaplan Thaler has also taken on leadership roles, serving as President of New York Women in Communications and as a member of the Advisory Council for The Colin Powell Center at CCNY.