For those of you outside the industry who don't know, Jack Prahl has been in the syndication business since the Carter administration. Jack has been instrumental in the launch of some of the seminal comics of the last 30 years. Jack strangely insists that the folks back at HQ call him "The Adonis from Massapequa."
I had the good fortune of spending a week with Jack just a few years back touring the Deep South and going on sales calls with him. An exceptional salesperson and long on charm and savoir faire, I recently sat down with Jack and asked him some tough questions. I think you'll find his answers to be honest, enlightening and slightly disturbing ... much like the man himself.
1. You were in Vietnam, yes? Which is tougher, selling a comic into a newspaper or the Viet Cong?
The Viet Cong.
2. How long have you been in syndication? Can you give a rundown of where you’ve worked? What did you do before syndication?
Going on 29 years.I taught
American history in 1967 then to Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. When I got back I went down to the US Virgin Islands to teach from '70 to
73'. Back to the states after that, where I coached and taught in Miami '73 to '79.
3. This is your second tour with UPS, why did you leave the first time?
I became the director of feature
development for Field Syndicate which was promptly sold to King Features four months later.
(note: UPS launched Calvin & Hobbes weeks before Jack left.)
4. How could a newspaper get better instantly?
Buy all Universal features.
5. You named your dog Boomer after the character in Paul Gilligan's Pooch Café. Is he a good boy?
Paul's wonderful. So is my dog.
Sue Roush.
7. OK. How about your favorite “male” editor?
Greg Melvin.
Who reads behind you?
9. Umm. How about your favorite Irish-American male editor
over 40 from Chicago, whose hair “is not prematurely grey, it’s the lighting in
this room” and who raises chinchillas for their fur and is known for wearing
high-waisted pants?
Is Mark Girard an editor now?
(note: Mark Girard is a salesperson, so while he fits many of the criteria, only yours truly, John Glynn fits the rest of the description. I appreciate the compliment, Jack! (blushing) ... now I'm embarrassed.)
11. You sported a mustache for many years … can you discuss the decision process that led you to shave it off?
My daughter said I looked younger.
12. What’s your theory on selling? What would you say to someone who wanted to sell comic strips?
Are you nuts!!??
Fear and laziness.
14. What are your plans for the holidays?
My kids are coming home.
Most could not tell you
what comics they run.
16. Do you like egg nog? Or maybe other types of nog?
Maybe.
17. Can you describe what a typical week was like when
you were still on the road?
Drive 1000 miles,stay in cheap motels,listen to the problems editors are having,call home,have fun.
Thanks, Jack. Please be well.
-JG
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