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The Incredible Story of Pet Rocks
How a Copywriter with Rocks In His Head Made Millions
In 1975, a marketing phenomenon took America by storm. The creator was a humble copywriter with an idea good enough to make him rich and famous.
Pet Rock, a seemingly absurd concept, became a cultural icon and a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Let’s review a short history lesson of Pet Rocks' history and the copywriter who came up with the idea.
By the end of this article, you’ll know more about the timeless fundamentals of marketing, even though the story may seem like ancient history to some of you.
We can learn much from our fellow creative, outlying, misfit writers and artists. The “rock in our head” is the blessing of an idea that has the potential to be unique, compelling, and memorable.
If we act on it!
The Birth of Pet Rocks
Gary Dahl, a freelance copywriter, sets a remarkable example for creators. He hacked the idea of Pet Rocks during a conversation with friends about the hassles of caring for pets.
Dahl joked that a rock would be the perfect pet—there would be no need for feeding, walking, or grooming, and it would never fall ill or disobey.
