Joseph Sugarman

Joseph Sugarman was a renowned entrepreneur, marketing innovator, and author best known for founding BluBlocker Corporation and revolutionizing direct marketing techniques. Here are some key details about his life and career:

Early Life and Career

Born on April 25, 1938, in Oak Park, Illinois, Sugarman studied electrical engineering at the University of Miami before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1962.1 He served in Germany with Army Intelligence and later with the CIA for over three years.1

Entrepreneurial Journey

After returning from military service, Sugarman's entrepreneurial spirit led him to:

1. Create a company marketing Austrian ski lifts in the U.S.
2. Form an ad agency serving ski resorts
3. Found JS&A Group in 1971, selling electronics through mail-order1

JS&A Group became America's largest single source of space-age products, introducing innovations like pocket calculators, digital watches, and cordless telephones.3

BluBlocker Corporation

In 1986, Sugarman launched BluBlocker Corporation, introducing the world to BluBlocker Sunglasses through innovative infomercials.12 The company moved to Las Vegas in 1989 and became his main focus for over three decades.1

Marketing Innovations

Sugarman was known for his:

• Unique long-form copy approach to advertising
• Priority on customer service
• Use of toll-free 800 numbers for credit card phone orders (a first in the industry)1

Author and Educator

Sugarman authored seven books on advertising and marketing, including:

• "Success Forces"
• "Triggers"
• "The AdWeek Copywriting Handbook"1

He also lectured internationally on advertising and direct marketing.13

Awards and Recognition

• 1979 Direct Marketer of the Year
• 1990 Maxwell Sackheim Award for Innovation in the Direct Response Industry1

Joseph Sugarman passed away on March 18, 2022, at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering entrepreneur and marketing innovator.12