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The Little Bunny that Could: How Playboy Became an Empire
The Little Bunny that Could: How Playboy Became an Empire
“If there was going to be a sexual revolution, I would be its pamphleteer,” Hefner once said. Looking back to the time when Playboy magazine was first launched, not only did Hefner spark a sexual revolution, but he also used his entrepreneurial instincts to capitalize on it.
Hefner has said that, “If life is a card game, I got the winning hand, and most people have only a small idea of how really good it is.” Hefner’s ‘winning hand’ was not a matter of luck, but instead due to several important factors:
He Created A Strong Brand. Throughout the world, Playboy’s rabbit symbol is one of the most recognizable logos, instantly conjuring up images in the mind of sex and sophistication. But, Hefner didn’t just brand a product; he created a lifestyle, one that he would live and glorify himself. In this savvy marketing move, Hefner espoused the suave bachelor lifestyle that his magazine promoted. The names Hefner and Playboy would thus be instantly recognizable and distinguishable from competitors.
He Had Conviction. “The major civilizing force in the world is not religion, it is sex,” says Hefner. Whatever you think about him, it cannot be denied that the man had conviction. From winning anti-obscenity court cases to contributing to cases in support of birth control, Hefner remained strong in his beliefs of sexual freedom. He claimed that he was in fact fighting for women’s rights and he remained true to this fight throughout his career.
He Dreamed Big. Never afraid to seize an opportunity that presented itself, Hefner had the ability to think of possibilities that few others did. Undeterred by the fact that something may never have been done before, Hefner challenged himself and society with each business venture he undertook. He ignored the risks and chose instead to focus on the bigger picture of realizing his dreams.
He Kept Things Fresh. Whether it was his own life and mindset or one of his businesses, Hefner recognized the necessity of staying youthful. He was not afraid to reinvent himself or give up some control if it meant a greater potential for success. He knew he had to maintain the youthful image of Playboy in the eyes of his current market as well as the new generation of consumers. His ability to capitalize on youthful rejuvenation is one of the factors that led to his five-decade long success.
He Persevered. While Hefner’s life may seem like a glossed-over fairy tale, it hasn’t always been so. He encountered numerous rejections before beginning Playboy and numerous failures after launching the magazine, but he never gave up. He recognized that it was only through failing that he would learn the secret to success, of what worked and what didn’t.
“I would like to be remembered as somebody who has changed the world in some positive way, in a social, sexual sense and I’d be very happy with that” says Hefner. “I’m a kid who dreamed the dreams and made them come true.”
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Hugh Hefner Video - Hugh Hefner, founder of playboy Enterprises, offers his advice to a younger generation to help them define their own roads in life.
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When Hefner was asked to describe his ultimate fantasy, he said simply, “I’m living it.” But, Hefner’s path to success has not been as smooth as it might appear. Experiencing numerous failures along the way, Hefner ...
