Beck: Good morning Mr. Cowan. Thanks for speaking with me today.
Cowan: Hi Dr. Beck. Nice to be here with you.
Beck: I think youve had a brilliant and fun career, but I think many of the readers may not recognize your name, as you usually work behind the scenes. May I brag a little for you?
Cowan: Sure, please do!
Beck: According to my notes, youve been a Hollywood publcist for some 56 years. Youve worked with and represented some of the most famous people in the world by essentially creating news for people like Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Elton John, Paul McCartney, David Hasselhoff, Aaron Spelling, Debbie Reynolds, Danny Kaye, Steve Allen and many others. Youve been called a true genius by your colleagues, and the most inventive person in the business. Youve really had an amazing career!
Cowan: Thank you. But, I feel as if my career is just beginning.
Beck: I heard through the grapevine that you sold the company about 12 years ago, but now youre back doing pretty much the same thing?
Cowan: Yes, thats all true. We started the original company in the 1950s, it was Rogers and Cowan, and we built it into the largest enertainment PR firm in the world and then we did sell it to an English conglomerate. But I decided to get back into the business about eight years ago, with my own company.
Beck: May I ask . Who are you currently representing?
Cowan: Im working with Paul Newman, Kirk Douglas, Sidney Sheldon, Aaron Spelling, Merv Griffin, William Austin and the Starkey Hearing Foundation and quite a few others.
Beck: Thats fabulous, and your favorite client is?
Cowan:: The next one!
Beck: I want to tell you that I walked into that knowingly! What did you do for Paul McCartney?
Cowan: I helped get him into the Guiness Book of World Records as the most prolific composer of all times. We did a reception with him in London and the next day the headline in London was Roll Over Beethoven, here comes Paul.
Beck: I believe you if you say hes the most prolific, but I think another milestone for Paul is that he has probably played live, in front of more people than anyone else in the history of the world, and next time you see him, please tell him I am available to work with him any time! What do you attribute your success to?
Cowan: Well, thats a geat question. First, I think I am successful because I have a passion for the business. Basically what I do, is I create newsa little like what you do, and what youre doing now. Its more than just doing an interview and meeting people, its public relations and marketing.
Beck: Exactly. I totally agree.and whats your impression of how famous people view each other?
Cowan: I believe that they enjoy meeting or seeing other famous people, just as you and I do. The only difference is they have a little more access to each other, but I think everyone wants to shake hands with a Sinatra, or McCartney, or Paul Newman. I recall when I was at the White House with Kirk Douglas in the early 1960s. We were touring the White House and when Mrs Kennedy invited us to have a glass of wine. I was really surprised when Jacquline Kennedy said, Tell me Mr. Douglas, do you really believe Elizabeth Taylor will marry Richard Burton? And thats the way it went so many times. The VIPs and the stars love to meet and gossip about each other. Everyone is interested in movie starseven the First Lady!
Beck: And I believe you also represaented Ronald Reagan?
Cowan: Yes, I had the pleasure of representing him while he was an actor and the host of the GE Theater. When I represented him, he refused to fly. I had the honor of sitting with him about ten years ago, and I asked him about that. I mentioned to him that I recall he flew quite a bit as governor and president and I asked him how he had gotten over his fear of flying. He said I always knew that God would tell me when it was the right time to fly. And I said You mean God and the Republican party!
Beck: And although it really is a joy to speak with you about Hollywood issues, we really need to start talkng about your hearing loss and your hearing aids! Would you please tell me about your hearing problems?
Cowan: I started having hearing problems about 6 or 7 years ago and I went to the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles. I understand you did your fellowship there, so Im sure you know how fabulous they are. Anyway, they told me I needed to wear hearing aids in both ears, but sometimes I do wear only one at a time. Nonetheless, my observation is that sometimes when Im in a meeting, or a movie, or when Im speaking live with people one-on-one, the hearing aids make a terrfic difference. I can get by without them, but it is consistently easier with them!
Beck: I imagine you must spend a ton of time on the telephone. How do you do on the phone with your hearing aids?
Cowan: No problem at all. The hearing aids are fine on the phone. I just place the phone right on my ear and its no problem. The Starkey hearing aids have been incredible -- its like magic. Again, I sometimes wear just the left, but it always helps when I wear the left by itself or both together. Im not just a patient and a friend of Bill Austins, Im also a fan. The charitable work he does, the hearing aids he gives to people all around the world what a wonderful man.
Beck: Thanks Mr. Cowan. I know youre running and you need to get back to the Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala, but thanks for sharing your time and your thoughts about hearing aids.
Cowan: My pleasure Dr. Beck.
