Voting Station

Warren E. Avis

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Entrepreneur

The Resume

    (August 4, 1915-April 24, 2007)
    Founded Avis Rent-a-Car (1946)
    Started Avis Rent-a-Car for $85,000 ($75,000 was in loans)
    First two rental locations were Willow Run Airport in Michigan and Miami International Airport in Florida
    Sold Avis Rent-a-car to Richard Robie (1954)
    Founded AvisFarms Research & Business Parks
    Wrote 'Chance To Be First: The Secrets of Entrepreneurial Success (1986)'
    Married to French vocalist Yanna Avis

Why he might be annoying:

    He started his rental company with 200 cars and could only afford one employee per work shift.
    When he sold the company, it had 185 locations in the U.S. and 10 in Canada. 50 years after he sold Avis Rent-a-Car, they had 4,200 locations in 170 countries with a fleet of 370,000 vehicles.
    His rent-a-car company did not show a profit during any years he owned it.
    Although Avis rent-a-car kept growing, it lost lots of money until the mid 1960's.
    The highly well known 'We are #2, We try Harder' slogan was crafted almost a decade after he started the company (1963).
    Although not deceptive, it did not really show the gap, Hertz controlled more than ¾ of the rental car market while Avis (although in second place) only about 10%.
    Decades after selling Avis, it became the #1 rental company in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was a US Pilot during WW II.
    Although he did not innovate car rentals, he thought up a very successful modification. As Hertz placed all their car rentals in the middle of low income sections of the city, he made it more convenient by putting his rentals at the airport.
    He was the first to rent new cars rather than used one.
    He convinced Ford that by leasing him their newest vehicle, it would be great advertising for them. The company switched to General Motors in 1979.
    He owned the Southfield, Michigan, Ford dealership which grew to be one of the most successful in the world.
    He innovated the licensing of his national car rental franchises and was the first rental company to offer corporate credit cards.
    He used the money he made in selling Avis Rent-a-car to purchase real estate, which made him a fortune.
    His company, AvisFarms, does park planning for businesses to help preserve the environment.
    The 'We Try Harder' Ad campaign changed the company from a money loser to a money maker. It also made Avis a household name, although he was not with the company.
    Advertising Age called it one of the 10 best advertising slogans, ever.
    They were one of the first companies to not only refer to their competition, but take pride in being in second place.
    The Avis print ad campaign was the opposite of most ad styles of a large picture with a small headline. It was the huge headline with a small picture.
    The ad appealed to America's love for the underdog.

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 19 Votes: 42.11% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 16 Votes: 56.25% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 15 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 31 Votes: 51.61% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 29 Votes: 55.17% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 33 Votes: 60.61% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 57 Votes: 70.18% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 90 Votes: 56.67% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 158 Votes: 54.43% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 76 Votes: 46.05% Annoying