Discussion

By Dr Joe Webb on Sep 13, 2010

This is part of a note I sent to Gorelick & Associates this morning:

I first met him at a presentation he did not long after he started his consulting practice, at a GAMIS presentation in Kiawah Island in 1982. It was clear that Dick's approach to the industry was far different than others, and he never really knew how much that initial presentation, and our later casual discussions at trade events would mean to me. I regret not having the opportunity of working with him on projects, but our mutual schedules and opportunities never seemed to work out. We had a very nice, long breakfast a few Graph Expos ago. When I started my consulting career in 1987, he was very encouraging, and I will always remember a dinner I had with him and Dick Vinocur at that time which was, as anyone who knew Mr. G and knows "Merv", very entertaining, and informative in its own special way, to say the least.

I always admired him, and I know his counsel to his clients was always honest and wise. I also know he admired so many of his clients, who were on the front lines of the print marketplace, and he would probably say he learned more from them than they learned from him.

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By Katherine OBrien on Sep 13, 2010

I hope you don't mind if I offer some thoughts about Dick here. He was one of kind. Dr. Joe is exactly right--Dick was honest and wise and he truly admired his clients.
KOB

Remembering consultant and columnist Dick Gorelick, master of industrial marketing

Consultant and columnist Dick Gorelick passed away Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. Dick was a gifted writer and truly understood the challenges of managing a printing operation.

Readers frequently thanked him for his insights. Some told us Dick’s column was the first thing they read upon receiving the latest issue of AMERICAN PRINTER. One reader dubbed him “the master of industrial marketing,” an appropriate title.

“Well, you’ve done it again,” wrote Terry Corman after reading Dick’s June 2008 column on sales compensation. “Great article. Thank goodness very few people pay attention to you, or I would have a bunch of strong competitors.”

Those who did listen profited from Dick’s wisdom. Bob Tursack, CEO of Brilliant Graphics (Exton, PA) credited Dick with helping his company “see ourselves as a business that helps our customers make money rather than [just] a printer. Everything we do today, from the way we answer our phones to the way we present finished jobs to customers, has been influenced by him.”

Dick made his AMERICAN PRINTER debut in January 2001, but his byline was a fixture in graphic arts publications for more than 40 years.

Before joining AP, Gorelick contributed a marketing column to Graphic Arts Monthly for 15 years. “That publication, then under publisher Dick Vinocur, added a marketing column during a period in which there literally was discussion about the relevance of the marketing discipline to the graphic arts industry,” he recalled.

Dick’s official biography noted that he was the past president of the American Marketing Assn. and Charles Parlin Foundation at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. In 2008, the Graphic Arts Assn. (Philadelphia) honored him as its Neographics’ 2008 Person of the Year.

Shortly after we started working together, I asked Dick if he had a newspaper background. I admired his concise style, terse paragraphs that packed a considerable wallop. I learned that Dick honed his style as a radio and television journalist.

“I’ve had some income writing for 40 years,” he told me. “Radio journalism is the world’s greatest discipline in communicating. That explains my use of simple sentences (including this one).”

Dick didn’t often use his full biography in print but he enjoyed reminding me that he served on the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day national committees despite having no children and assumed the presidency of two American Marketing Association chapters despite having never taken a business course. Dick also worked with Kansas City officials to help secure a public television station license.

“All of this has led me to believe that the patron saint of consultants is the late Sonny Bono,” said Dick. “He said ‘I’ve never done anything for which I’m qualified.’”

Dick was among the most optimistic people I have ever met. Although he was occasionally uncomfortably candid when discussing the latest blunderings of his favorite airline, U.S. Air, or referring to an industry trade show as “The Annual Overcapacity Festival,” Dick radiated hope even when his own health became dire.

Dick was primarily treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The surgery and follow-up care he had over the years was complex and surely often unpleasant and painful. To hear Dick’s accounts, however, you would think he was residing at a wonderful writer’s colony. “There’s nothing wrong with my mind,” he would say. “I can work anywhere.”

Indeed, Dick must have cornered the market on legal pads. Judy Miller, Dick’s long time administrator at the Graphic Arts Sales Foundation, “magically and efficiently converts my handwritten copy into digital form,” Dick said.

When Judy retired, Dick sent her on the vacation of her dreams. This was typical of Dick’s thoughtfulness. When I was diagnosed with cancer, Dick was among the first to call. He continued to check up on me and offer encouragement. “I can’t do the yard work I used to do,” he told me some months ago. “But I like to keep my hedge clippers handy and I do get out there and do what I can, even if it’s just a little bit.” I told Dick a few weeks ago that I think of him when I pass a hedge. I’m doing very well, thank goodness, but Dick’s example continues to inspire me.

Although Dick possessed a formidable intellect and active wit, he humbly accepted all accolades. “A consultant or writer can do nothing,” Dick said after being named Neographics’ Person of the Year. “The risk is borne by those who have the resources, courage and vision to engage in implementation. In truth, our clients deserve the award. To the sense that I feel a sense of achievement, it is attributable to its association with those who shared our ideas and had the courage and acumen to act on those ideas.”

We will remember Dick fondly. We offer our sincere condolences to Dick’s wife, Myrna and his many friends in the printing industry. Funeral arrangements are pending.

--Katherine O'Brien
http://blog.americanprinter.com/kob/

By Raymond J. Prince on Sep 14, 2010

Dick was remarkable in his contributions to this industry. His comments and opinions were to the point and clear. Traveling with Dick was interesting to say the least. Chinese dining was a must, a small rental car required, Red Roof Inn was the preferred hotel - he liked to save his clients money.

Now Dick either liked your or he did not and you knew it. He was often called a straight shooter.

Dick and I dined together many times and the next dinner I was to pay for -well Dick, I owe you one.

God Bless Dick Gorelick.

By Patrick Whelan on Sep 14, 2010

I knew of Dick long before I had the opportunity to meet him. He was light years ahead of everyone else when it came to print marketing. My eyes were wide open as Dick Vinocur told me all about him. Then one morning I'm having breakfast by myself at The Charlotte Show and the guy at the table next to me is telling story after story about the futility of US Air. I started to laugh at some and he immediately introduced himself and invited me into the conversation. I was honored. and he always treated me very warmly every time we would run into each other after that. The industry has truly suffered a big loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

By Linda Bishop on Sep 14, 2010

To put it simply, meeting Dick changed my life. It was early in my sales career and I was struggling. Then I met Dick. He handed me the information I needed to succeed, and I took it and ran.

Over the years, I've met so many people who Dick influenced.

I am one of them and I will do the best I can to carry his legacy forward.

By Walter Payne on Sep 14, 2010

Early in my career after having purchased a small print company in Gastonia, North Carolina, I had the good fortune to attend a seminar that Dick Gorelick put together after some prodding from Sid Chadwick.

The beginning of developing an understanding of what a print organization could become was borne in that combined effort of listening to Dick Gorelick and working with one of his close associates Sid Chadwick.

Today, we continue as an organization not just of print, but one who strives to make an impact in the lives and businesses of our clients just as Dick Gorelick and Sid Chadwick has bantered for so many years.

It was a true privilege to have had the brief moment with Dick. His legacy will continue throughout the lives and companies who benefited from his direct approach to building the marketing companies that exist today.

God Bless Dick Gorelick and his family!

Walter Payne
President
ImageMark Business Services

By Jackie Bland on Sep 14, 2010

Dick and I worked closely on any number of sales & marketing programs when I was with Printing Industries of America. Most memorable was the work we shared developing the PIA Print Marketing Institute, fashioned after the highly regarded Executive Development Program. It was enlightening and awe inspiring to work with Dick on this program. Personally I learned a lot from Dick. And, graduates of that week-long ‘Institute” can attest to the formidable program he developed. The program was outstanding, but unfortunately the industry wasn’t ready to commit to implementing those marketing concepts for a printing company and the program was tabled. Undaunted, Dick carried those concepts and principles forward and continued his teachings in his consulting practice and in the various articles and programs he developed for the industry. My thoughts go out to his family in their loss—and to the industry for their loss.

By David Jensen on Sep 14, 2010

Over the past 35 years in the print industry, there are a couple people I've always paid attention to.

While I never met Mr. Gorelick, I continually sought out his clever stories, unique ideas, and fruitful advice.

He'll be sorely missed.

By Beth Hogan Scott on Sep 14, 2010

What a loss Dick is to the industry. I had the priviledge of meeting Dick when he began his column for Graphic Arts Monthly in 1982 where I worked for Dick Vinocur. A conversation between Dick and "MRV" was entertaining and always educational. Dick wss funny, insightful, supportive and a true thought leader. He will truly be missed. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family.

By Neil Richards on Sep 14, 2010

While my memory isn't always in tune with reality, I do believe I also met Dick for the first time at that 1982 Kiawah GAMIS meeting that Dr. Joe mentioned. Although I did not know Dick well, I always admired his unique way of cutting to the heart of an issue, & of presenting his take on the topic at hand in not only a clear & lucid manner, but much more importantly, from a point of view that always seemed to make me wonder why I hadn't seen the situation from his perspective. I can't tell you how many times I made a note to myself based on one of his GAM or AP think pieces. A good guy, who will be much missed. Condolences & fond memories to Dick's family & close friends.

By Sabine Lenz on Sep 14, 2010

I had the great pleasure to meet Dick several years ago when I first started PaperSpecs. He was always very generous with his time, knowledge and insights. Dick was a regular contributor to PaperSpecs and a good friend. We will deeply miss him and his fearless candor.

By William L Stickney on Sep 14, 2010

I first met Dick Gorelick many years ago after making a cold call to him when he won the first PIA Marketing Award. Atthat time he was the Marketing Director of a Philadelphia printing company. I engaged him to come to Central Ohio to speak at a Marketing Seninar.He did an outstanding job in a mannor that only he could do it. That lead to many more seminars, speaking engagements and consulting agreements with many printers. Dick became a very good friend and advisor to the Printing Industry Association in Ohio. His passing is a great loss to the entire printing industry. Our thoughts and prayers go his family and his associates and may God bless them all.

By Vlad Gorelkin on Sep 14, 2010

Many times in my life I've been confused when got a question "Are you a relative of that man?"
despite the difference in the end of my surname. That pushed me personally to read more about that great man and learn prepress and press processes deeper.
Thanks a lot, Dick!
RIP!

By Dennis Castiglione on Sep 14, 2010

I first met Dick at one of the first Marketing Conferences staged by PIA. I was among the young, brash know-it-alls who brandished our knowledge of marketing like a shiny sabre in an industry that was still battling with sling shots. It might come as no surprise that I found myself the first evening in a spirited discussion with Dick and his favorite jousting partner, Dick Vinocur. Somehow both of these seasoned veterans took a liking to me and we began a long standing exchange of ideas, jabs, challenges and laughs that humored all three of us through the years. But that's not the most telling story of Dick Gorelick and his character, from my vantage point.

It was June of 1990 and I had made a decision to embark on a sales and marketing consulting career that would focus on the graphic arts industry. One of my first phone calls was to Dick Gorelick (and the second to Dick Vinocur, I might add) and the very first thing he told me was, "That's great. There's plenty of companies out here that don't know a damn thing about marketing and I can't work with them all. At least I know someone can help that knows something about it." He went on to say, "Listen, don't make the same mistakes I made. Why don't you fly into Philadelphia, drive over here and spend a day with me. At least I can show you what we do, how we do it." So I did and Dick gave me a ton of good advice (certainly not something he had a shortage of, as we all know) as well as some standard business forms he used and the best directive of all - "It's not about how much you charge for your time, it's all about cash flow. Log your time and bill, often." He also told me to get as close to PIA as I possibly could. He added, "I don't always agree with everything they do (big surprise here, eh?), but they take good care of people who are good to them." Enough said.

That may seem like the summary of a good story on Gorelick - but there's a postscript, as well. Dick had a strong philosophy regarding non-competition in a given market. That is, he refused to work with firms that competed with each other. His thought was, "they share intimate information with us, pillow talk, if you will. They can't and won't do it if they think there's a snowball's chance we'll expose them to their competitors". So, for more than a year after I launched my business, I not only got monthly phone calls from Dick to see how I was doing - I also got a half-dozen leads every month, at least - comprised of competing firms that Dick referred to me, because he 'couldn't' work with them. To say Dick Gorelick helped me start my business is a colossal understatement. He was a saint…then, and now. God bless you Dick - and thank you, again.

By Tom Brennan on Sep 15, 2010

In my years at The Printing Industry of the Carolina's (PICA) I had the great honor to get to know Dick very well. Unique is an oft overused word, but Dick was truly one of a kind. His probing insight, insatiable thirst for knowledge and, some would say, warped sense of humor, combined to make for some unforgettable conversations.

I don't know if he played for the Kansas City Chiefs, was a boxer, a lawyer, or counter-sued McDonald's (and won) for his poster 'Hang In There Baby', but I was both awed and brought to tears of laughter listening to him.

For twenty plus years I have saved a tattered, over stuffed folder simply labeled 'Gorelick'. It's a sad thought that I won't be adding to it anymore, but comforting to know that I've always got a piece of Mr. G with me.

Rest in Peace my friend.

By Rick Rodriguez on Sep 16, 2010

I never met Dick, nor spoke with him, nor listened to him. I was just a reader - one who, as someone else mentioned above, made his stuff the first thing I read, in whatever magazine I found him in, since I first discovered him in the mid 80's. He taught me almost as much about the printing industry, as Robert Bartley did about the entire world, within the pages of The Wall Street Journal. I, at least, consider that to be very high praise indeed. Thank you, sir.

By Deborah Prince Blanchard on Sep 16, 2010

Dick was one of a kind. I worked with him for years as we were fellow members of the Board of Directors of a Memphis company. But long after that company no longer existed, Dick remained my friend and mentor. When I closed my own consulting business in 2006 and began looking for a job in higher education marketing communications, he willingly served as a reference for me. He recently served as a reference for me again as I began job hunting anew.
My sincere sympathies to Myrna and his staff at Gorelick and Associates. He will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace, my friend.

By Peter Guglietta on Sep 30, 2010

I never met Dick Gorelick but I feel like he was a trusted advisor. Every month I would look forward to his columns in various trade publications. He was incisive, witty, pithy, and humble. I learned a lot from just reading his columns and gleaning valuable insights into the print communications industry and business in general. He was a great writer.

My sympathy and prayers go out to his wife and all his associates. The business world has lost a great thought leader, and I am saddened by the fact that I will no longer have his columns to look forward to.

Rest in peace, Dick.

By Steve Johnson on Dec 07, 2010

Dick was always months, if not years, ahead in both his thinking and his writing. The editors at American Printer loved him for that.

I'm always a month behind in my writing, which drives editors crazy. It is only fitting that Dick passed away in September, but my tribute to him wasn't published until November. Read it here http://americanprinter.com/johnsonsworld/printing_tribute_dick_gorelick/ if you missed (God forbid) the print edition.

Dick's encouragement will be (and already is) sorely missed.