Sharper Image Files For Bankruptcy

Though far from being a lean and mean direct response outfit, with 184 retail stores in the U.S., The Sharper Image has its roots in direct response advertising.

Sharper Image Founder and longtime CEO, Richard Thalheimer, attended the 1970’s “finishing school” for direct marketers given by Joe Sugarman. I caught a light version two decades later.

Quite a different world today in consumer electronics and gadgets than when Joe Sugarman founded JS&A and Richard Thalheimer shortly thereafter founded The Sharper Image.

And if Sharper Image goes down for the count, they’ve had a great run.

Here’s the New York Times Article.

1979 ad for The Bouncer.