Herbert "Bert" Gardner, an award-winning Twin Cities adman who notably introduced pork to America as "The Other White Meat," died on Nov. 19, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He was 71.
Gardner died from pancreatic cancer at his home in Medina, Minn. His creativity was the backbone for his success, which spanned over four decades.
"I think he was passionate about writing," his son Peter, said. "I think that was the biggest factor. It was a time before you had exploding special effects. He also had a sense of humor, and that was part of his success, as well."
In 16 years of retirement, Gardner still partook in many aspects of his former profession. But his tag line, "Pork, the Other White Meat" was his most enduring advertisement contribution, as a Northwestern University study in 2000 found it to be the fifth-most memorable promotional tag line in contemporary advertising.
Along with his son Peter, Gardner is survived by his wife of 34 years, Betty Goodman, and sister Diane Gardner Bolton. A memorial service took place on Nov. 25 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minn.
Leave a comment