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Goodbye Jay Conrad Levinson, Father of Guerrilla Marketing

On October 10th, 2013,  my friend and mentor Jay Conrad Levinson, Father of Guerrilla Marketing, left the physical world at the young age of 80. I know I’m posting late, and I seldom get blogger’s block, but when it comes to someone like Jay, words do a poor job of describing the magnitude of my feelings.

Jay was best known for his contribution to creating titanic brands:  The Marlboro Man, Tony the TigerCharlie the TunaThe Pillsbury Doughboy, Green GiantMorris the Cat, United’s Friendly SkiesAllstate’s Good Hands, the Sears Diehard battery, and many more. 

As a Guerrilla Marketing Master Trainer, taught and certified personally by Jay, I’m sure you know I am fully aware that many authors, marketers, and entrepreneurs have lost an icon, a legend of true marketing and leadership.

Jay Conrad Levinson Father of Guerrilla Marketing and Elayna Fernandez - Certified Guerrilla Marketing Master Trainer at Internet Prophets in Chicago by Steve OlsherJay Conrad Levinson Father of Guerrilla Marketing and Elayna Fernandez - Certified Guerrilla Marketing Master Trainer at his home in Florida Elayna Fernandez - Certified Guerrilla Marketing Master Trainer with Guerrilla Marketing books by Jay Conrad Levinson father of guerrilla marketing

Because Jay was a brilliant businessman and author, you have heard of his Guerrilla Marketing books. During my college days in the Dominican Republic, where Guerrilla Marketing was a textbook, I never thought I would meet the legendary Jay Conrad Levinson, let alone visit, teach, and stay at his home.

As years go by, I have learned that my knowledge of Guerrilla Marketing was crucial in getting back on my feet and starting my business after becoming a single mom. I feel moved when I think about the millions of people around the world that have been impacted by Jay and attribute their success to the systems, lists, and books he created.

At his Guerrilla Marketing Intensive Bootcamps, he would tell fascinating stories about his time at Leo Burnett Advertising, teaching at Berkeley, and having long-haired, Levi-jeans-wearing Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and Steve Jobs as students.

These luminaries of the business world started their empires with Jay’s guidance and wisdom. 

Jay Conrad Levinson Father of Guerrilla Marketing and Elayna Fernandez - Certified Guerrilla Marketing Master Trainer at his home in FloridaJay Conrad Levinson Father of Guerrilla Marketing and Elyssa author of See What I Can Become Elisha and Elyssa - daughters of Elayna Fernandez - Certified Guerrilla Marketing Master Trainer with Guerrilla Marketing books by Jay Conrad Levinson father of guerrilla marketing

He would talk about memories of skiing with his daughter Amy, getting on AOL with Seth Godin, or marrying his lovely wife, Jeannie, several times – the first time being the same day they met.

I first met Jay and Jeannie, at Steve Olsher’s Internet Prophets event. Steve sent me a recording of his keynote on YouTube, where you could see me in awe in the first row.

Jay and Jeannie were the sweetest love birds: pet names, public displays of affection, and an infectious child-like laugh when he credited her for something awesome or wanted to get away with something. Their relationship inspired me so much… their love and devotion are an essential part of our history.

Jay Conrad Levinson Father of Guerrilla Marketing and Elayna Fernandez - Certified Guerrilla Marketing Master Trainer and family : Jeannie Levinson, Taylor Bare, Elisha and Elyssa of WhollyART

I love Jay and Jeannie like family. We all miss Jay very much and will never forget our road trip to Florida, and the girls becoming certified in Guerrilla Marketing for their business. Jay’s generously offered marketing expertise and life lessons will live on through us, and through them.

So many people talk about balance or work-life integration and having met many world leaders, I assure you most don’t walk their talk.

Jay was the epitome of balance and true success: he worked 3 days a week for several decades and traveled all over the United States, and the world. He lived a full life, loved much, and changed lives.

I admire Jay’s ability to trust anyone, to see the good in what seemed bad, to find an honest heartfelt compliment for anyone, and to find a lesson in everything. Jay understood people. He spoke in a language that could teach and inspire anyone, and shared his knowledge and love freely and openly.

Through his work, you would develop a deep connection with him and this admiration motivated you not just to do guerrilla things, but to BE a guerrilla. His work was devoted to life values, not just marketing. Marketing was just the beginning.

Seth Godin  said it well:

“The point of his many, many books wasn’t that there was a formula to follow, but that there was an attitude, an attitude that could help just about anyone makes a difference.”

Jay has touched millions of lives, and in the short time I knew him he touched mine in several ways. More than The Father Of Guerrilla Marketing, Jay was like the father of everyone he came in contact with.

David Hancock described it well in his tribute to Jay:

“Of all the talents Jay had, and this is so true, his most endearing talent was his ability to make you feel like it was more of an honor for him to be with you than the other way around. He was a very gracious, loving man.”

Thank you, Jay, for being YOU… I am glad you came and I’m happy you became a Christian and were baptized, so I know where you are.

I celebrate your life, I celebrate your love, I celebrate your legacy… and as long as we do that… [and we have mama Jeannie], it’s not goodbye: you’re still with us.

Thank you for being in my life!

Do you have any mentors you know personally who have been instrumental in your life? Share who they are and your gratitude for them in the comments below.

Elayna is a homeschool educator, single mom of 4, founder of the Positive MOM Community, award-winning Storyteller, Story Strategist, and Student of Pain. She’s a bestselling author, internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, and 3x TEDx speaker. To receive a gift from Elayna, click HERE.

Be Positive and You Will Be Powerful ~ Elayna FernandBe Positive and You Will Be Powerful ~ Elayna Fernandez ~ The Positive MOMez ~ The Positive MOM
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Elyssa Fernandez

Tuesday 27th of August 2019

Jay was a truly remarkable person. It was such a privilege to meet him and spend time with him. I'm so grateful for the legacy he has left behind for all of us. He had a beautiful spirit. Thank you so much for making it possible for me to get to know Jay and learn from him. You are my greatest mentor, and I owe everything to you.

Elisha Fernández

Thursday 22nd of August 2019

I love Guerrilla Marketing and I miss Jay so much. He was a remarkable man with a great sense of humor. I love all his teachings and being the youngest ever taught by him is such an honor.

Patty

Tuesday 20th of August 2019

Elayna: You are one of my mentors,, and I am thrilled to have met you. I am grateful that we have met, have shared laughs and hugs, and continue to be involved in each other lives. I also have a couple mentors that live near me. I am hoping that I have impacted a few people in my lifetime.