Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good

by Paul Newman

“There are three rules for running a business; fortunately, we don’t know any of them.”In 1978, Paul Newman and A. E. Hotchner decided that rather than just distribute Paul’s own salad dressing at Christmas to neighbors, they would offer it to a few local stores. Freewheeling, irreverent entrepreneurs, they conceived of their venture as a great way to poke fun at the mundane method of traditional marketing. Much to their surprise, the dressing was enthusiastically received. What had started as a lark quickly escalated into a full-fledged business, the first company to place all-natural foods in supermarkets. From salad dressing to spaghetti sauce, to popcorn and lemonade, Newman’s Own became a major player in the food business. The company’s profits were originally donated to medical research, education, and the environment, and eventually went to the creation of the eight Hole in the Wall Gang camps for children with serious illnesses. In these pages Newman and Hotchner recount the picaresque saga of their own nonmanagement adventure. In alternating voices, playing off one another in classic “Odd Couple” style, they describe how they systematically disregarded the advice of experts and relied instead on instinct, imagination, and mostly luck. They write about how they hurdled obstacle after obstacle, share their hilarious misadventures, and reveal their offbeat solutions to conventional problems. Even their approach to charity is decidedly every year they give away all the company’s profits, empty the coffers, and start over again. The results of this amazing generosity are brought to life in heartwarming stories about the children at their camps. With rare glimpses into their zany style and their compassion for those less fortunate, Newman and Hotchner have written the perfect nonmanagement book, at once playful, informative, and inspirational.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Biography, Humor, Food, Entrepreneurship

253 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian and auto racing enthusiast. He won numerous awards, including an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Cannes Film Festival Award, an Emmy award, and many honorary awards. He also won several national championships as a driver in Sports Car Club of America road racing and his race teams won several championships in open wheel IndyCar racing.

Newman was a co-founder of Newman's Own, a food company from which Newman donated all profits and royalties to charity. As of May 2007, these donations had exceeded US$220 million.

On September 26, 2008, Newman died at his long-time home in Westport, Connecticut, of complications arising from cancer.

Reviews

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has come out in paperback with the title of "In Pursuit of the Common Good: Twenty-Five Years of Improving the World, One Bottle of Salad Dressing at a Time". This was a fun book to read which both made me laugh and tear up. What Newman and Hotchner accomplished by just being themselves and making practical decisions is truly amazing. Their journey from making salad dressing to donating 200 million to charity illustrates that when people see a thing that makes sense in its goals and how it is run, they will pitch in both amazing amounts of money and time to help. What a wonderful creation the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps are. Paul Newman left a legacy of joy and good eating.

[Jessica Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since most of my reading revolves around the graduate program I am in, there are only a few gems that are worthy of sharing. This book happens to be one of them. I was struck by the tenacity with which the authors pursued their goals and their unselfish endeavors. They snubbed marketers and pretty much did things their way in order to get the Newman's Own food line on store shelves. And then they went one step further: they gave all their profits to charity and conceived and executed the Hole in the Wall Gangs which are camps for sick kids. Their business continues to thrive to this day.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Paul Newman, and I love his food business (seriously delicious salad dressings, you guys), and I enjoyed the zany humor that came through in the book, but some of it was just a slog of names and places and business details.

[Barbm1020 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful tale of some (famous) people who thought it was important to do things right, and the surprising success of their endeavors. Now I want salad! With Newman's Own Dressing.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book~learning how Newman's Own food line came to be, how the distribution of it worked (things I never realized when grocery shopping at my own store). Newman's & Hotchner's philanthropic work for children with life-threatening illnesses, all the people involved with building multiple camps for these children...world wide... There is just too much to put into this little blurb about the extraordinary people who were actually involved....they are all pretty much noted in this book. Such a very selfless endeavor by many people. Again...I really did learn a lot about Newman's Own...interesting things. The author's writing style was good. My only criticism would be that in a few area's the story was just kind of bogged down...I think possibly because the author was trying to give us too many facts....I don't know...but I am very glad I read the book.

[Bobby Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shameless Exploitation is the story of the Newman's Own brand, told from the viewpoint of one of the two co-founders and operators (A.E. Hotchner, along of course with Paul Newman). The book overlaps a great deal with Hotchner's later book, Paul and Me, which tells some of the same stories. In Shameless Exploitation, however, we only hear about the Newman's Own business and the subsequent "all profits given to charity" and Hole in The Wall camps that the brand largely financed. We do not get any of the sadder/more serious biographical information here that we get in Paul and Me. So it is a lighter read but equally informative about the business.

[Monica Caldicott]

What kind of salad dressing do you like on your salad? Italian, honey mustard, French? Anyone like Newman's Own brand salad dressing? Started in Paul Newman's basement in 1978, Newman's own company has grown to be a very successful venture that donates his profits to many different charities.

Read forward "Sometimes you get what you want …"

Told in a very funny "Odd Couple" kind of way, this is the crazy story of how a movie star came to make salad dressing.

So one day, Hotchner was scouting for companies that could start making and bottling Paul Newman's salad dressing on a larger scale. His first stop was memorable to say the least. Read p. 20 "Hotch was frisked …"

[Motorcycle Tourist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Newman was very proud of his salad dressing recipe. He and his friend Hotch would make a large batch and deliver bottles to neighbors at Christmas time. When there was leftover dressing it occurred to Paul that he could bottle the rest and sell them to upscale local food stores. New man’s Own was supposed to be a tiny boutique operation. The challenge is what interested them; the adventure. Paul ponied up $20,000.
“There are three rules for running a business; fortunately, we don’t know any of them.” The book details the creation of the Newmans Own brand. When the book was written (many years ago) they had already given away $500 million dollars.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an easy, entertaining read, although I must admit to a few tears when I read the testimonials from children who participated in the Hole in the Wall Gang camp programs. I picked up this book after attending a fund raiser for a local affiliate of the camps programs that were begun as a way to "give back" to those youngsters whose childhood illnesses prevented them from fully enjoying "typical" childhood experiences. The impact of the philanthropy from the Newman's Own products has been huge. I give it two thumbs up - for the book and also for the contributions to the lives of those impacted by critical health issues.

[Elizabeth Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting and definitely gave me a good opinion of the Newman's Own brand. (Though I read online that the leadership tanked after Newman died. 😑) It stopped at interesting, though. Good for one short discussion with my husband (who also read it), and that's it.

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was funny, informative and thorough and well written.

[Eric Lindner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such great story - of converting fame, fortune and hard work - for others - while alive

Set the stage for the likes of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

[Emily Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a great man. If you love Paul Newman it is a great read. As a attendee of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, it was great to hear the story behind the man I now idolize

[Renée Cragun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and funny. Makes me want to go out and buy some Newman’s Own food products.

[annika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks Akshata for getting me this book at a used book sale because of my crush on Paul Newman. This book is really great if you’re interested in hearing how homemade salad dressing led to summer camps for very sick children across the world. I didn’t know much about Newman’s Own and I never really expected to know This much, but it’s funny that I do now.

I did read about recent controversies that led to Newman’s own (pun intended) daughters going against the company and how not as much money was going to good causes as it used to. I guess that’s the problem with things like this, they only last as long as the people who originally had the idea and pursued it with pure intentions.

Here’s a funny and cute letter from a Newman’s Own enjoyer that was included in the appendix:

“Dear Robert Redford,

Hi. My name is Mookie. I am 12 years old and like you a lot. Will you send me your picture?

I love your salad dressing. I sometimes drink it with ice cubes in it. It’s better than you’d think. Have you thought of making roasting chickens and then dehydrate them so people can make them at home just by adding water? I know I’d buy it. Write me if you want more ideas. People say I’m a creative genius even though I had to repeat the 6th grade—oh well. Are you smart? Were you a good student?

Bye.
M.L, Bethesda, MD”

[Allen Kurtz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderfully insightful and humorlessly inspiring to me. How his multimillion-dollar nonprofit started in the kitchen of a restaurant when he did not like their salad dressing.

[Iqbal Bakhsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly funny story about two stars creating a wholesome enterprise while having an adventure.

[Megan Oettinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars.

What I Liked:
• Easy read

What Wasn't My Cup of Tea:
• Hearing about all the camps got redundant

Overall Thoughts:
I read this for book club at work where I was running it, this was the first book we had decided to read. It had come based on someone who had already read it before & I really liked it. It was such an easy read that anyone who was just picking books back up could easily get through it.

The story of how A.E. & Newman created Newman's own was great. I had never known the story & it was honestly just so interesting that they were bucking against the standard or the way that people did things. The different stories & hearing about the camps really showed how heartwarming the story is.

Which leads me to how they literally just gave everything away. Where they would have to take out new loans come the new year because they gave it away. Then when setting up the first camps, they really put everything into it to give these kids a time they would never forget.

The only thing that I wasn't the biggest fan of was the 3rd act of the book where they talked about the camps. The first one & a few after made sense but then it just started to get repetitive.

Honestly, I thought this was a pretty great book, I'd especially recommend it for a business or work book club.

[Jon C Manzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anybody who has been in a grocery store in the last 3 decades has, no doubt, come across some of the Newman's Own products; salad dressing, pasta sauce, popcorn. The products are always high quality and (comparatively) healthy. The story of how these products came into being and how they have made stacks of money for charity and helped create the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps (and done so while not making a single penny of profits for Paul Newman and A.E. Hotchner), is a nifty tale of good intentions and common sense overcoming the way things are usually done. The book is informative, highly entertaining, and the tales surrounding the camps for children with serious illnesses are touching.

I admired Paul Newman as a splendid actor on screen and stage; reading how he used his celebrity to put out quality products to raise money for the common good made me admire him even more. I've missed him onscreen since his passing, but now I miss him even more.

[Raven Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book as a gift and initially started reading it out of obligation. THANK GOD I was given this book! Hotchner's writing style was not only entertaining, but the stories and adventures of these two men were absolutely hilarious at times! This book is a truly unique story that involves lots of trial and error and the kind of "this one time" kind of stories that I remember listening to my Dad and his friends telling. There are just some things that you can't experience on your own, so you just have to accept listening to great stories of it instead. I literally stuck post it notes in multiple places because I laughed so hard that I had to share parts of the book with friends. I'll gladly re-read this book anytime I want to feel inspired or just have a good laugh. I have a renewed appreciation for these two guys after reading this book. It's truly inspiring, but even more so entertaining. A. E. Hotchner is quickly becoming my favorite author.

[John Branney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started out strong when it told the story about inventing and marketing the salad dressing. The story was a nice mix of fact and humor. As the book continued it ran out of gas about midway and it was a struggle to finish.

What these two men did was commendable - I am not talking about the salad dressing - I am talking about them giving most of the profits to charity.

One thumb up.

[Peggy Bechko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the quick read on the origins of Newman's Own products and the charities it benefits. It may well have all been one big accident, but what an accident!

You'll enjoy the adventures of "PL" and "Hotch" as they pull together first the recipes for Newman's Own, then the 'business' (sort of), then the charitable connections.

Definitely worth reading.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing, fun to read at least at first. Not much to learn here really, maybe go for it even if everyone says no? It's an admirable venture, and one I wholeheartedly support, but it IS based on a movie star's name. But reading about every single camp at the end got very redundant. I'm happy to know about the foundation and what they do, but I kind of feel I wasted my time reading the whole thing.

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book about a lovely company. Interesting little stories about Paul Newman and others in starting Newman's Own. Also a nice read for those interested in thinking outside the box in the business world.

[Liisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Newman fans...a nice overview of how he started his philanthropic venture, Newman's Own. You'll cry from the reading the thank-you's from terminally ill children, the openings of camps across the world, and his incessant attempts at doing more. You'll smile, because he's just so cool!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a light hearted book with the (lack of) the business plan that started a multi-million dollar company. The authors are humorous and truthful. This book reads easily and rather quickly. Truly an enjoyable read.

[Karen]

How 2 friends create a business that grows to huge proportions, then becomes the vehicle to a wonderful charity. Eventually evolving into a camp for terminally ill children. Also shows a celeb can give back to society.

[Tiffany Malcom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been meaning to read this ever since I worked at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in 2010. It was fun to learn more about how the camp got started . . . who knew salad dressing could brighten the lives of thousands of sick children around the world?

[SR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and silly. Not great for me because food bores me and sick children make me overly emotional, but the base content was good. The first third is a bit too much like a sales pitch; it really comes into its own in the section about the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps.

[amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proving that Paul Newman can do no wrong, but quite a bit of right.