Alan Siegel

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Alan Siegel – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

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Alan Siegel (born August 26, 1938) is an American branding and communications innovator, founder of Siegel+Gale and Siegelvision, and a leading advocate of simplicity and “plain English.”

Introduction

Alan Siegel is a prominent American businessman, consultant, and communication strategist best known for founding the global brand consultancy Siegel+Gale and, later, Siegelvision. His work has centered on clarifying brand “voice,” simplifying complex communications, and pushing the idea that simplicity is smart. Over his long career, he has influenced how companies, governments, and non­profits speak to their audiences, advocating for clarity, transparency, and the removal of unnecessary complexity.

In this article, we explore his early life, the evolution of his professional journey, his philosophy of simplicity, and some of his memorable insights.

Early Life and Family

Alan Siegel was born on August 26, 1938, in New York, to parents Eugene and Ruth Siegel. Long Beach High School and played basketball.

For college, Siegel studied at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR), earning his degree there. NYU School of Law, though his trajectory changed later.

He took a break from law school in 1962 to accept an Army commission, and served with the 2nd Howitzer Battalion in Germany.

Siegel married his wife, Gloria, during his early career period; together they have one daughter.

Professional Path & Early Career

After leaving law school, Siegel entered the communications, advertising, and public relations world. In the 1960s, he worked at firms such as BBDO, Ruder Finn, and Sandgren & Murtha.

In 1969, Siegel co-founded Siegel+Gale with designer Robert Gale, initially working out of his own apartment in New York. brand voice, simplification, and comprehensive brand-consulting services.

By the 1970s, Siegel was already active in the plain English / simplicity movement, working with financial institutions, legal documents, and government agencies to reduce jargon and complexity. 1040-EZ form.

He also took roles in academia: Siegel was an adjunct professor of law at Fordham University School of Law, where he designed a course “Writing Contracts in Plain English.” Carnegie Mellon University, helping found or support its Communications Design Center.

Career Highlights & Achievements

Growth of Siegel+Gale

Under Siegel’s leadership, Siegel+Gale evolved into a globally recognized brand consultancy. Dell, MasterCard, American Express, Xerox, Caterpillar, the NBA, and many others.

Siegel+Gale was acquired by Omnicom Group and operates globally, with multiple offices worldwide.

One of the signature ideas of Siegel+Gale under Siegel’s influence was that simplicity is a strategic advantage—that brands which are clear, direct, and uncomplicated are more trusted and effective.

Founding Siegelvision

In 2011, after stepping back from day-to-day operations at Siegel+Gale, Alan Siegel founded Siegelvision, a boutique branding and communications consultancy focused on non-profit, education, social purpose, and mission-driven organizations.

Siegelvision’s clients include institutions such as NYU, NPR, Cornell, the Legal Aid Society, John Jay College, and various foundations.

Publications & Thought Leadership

Siegel has authored and co-authored books and guides focused on branding, clarity, and communication. Among them:

• Simple: Conquering the Crisis of Complexity (co-written with Irene Etzkorn) — a book promoting clarity over complexity in business and government.

• He has also written for The Wall Street Journal, especially on guides about understanding financial markets, writing contracts, and simplifying consumer credit forms.

• Siegel remains a voice in public discourse on transparency, clarity, government communication, and brand integrity.

He has also given notable talks, including a TED talk in 2010 focused on legal and governmental communication and the importance of clarity.

Awards, Influence, and Other Roles

Siegel is active in civic, cultural, and educational boards. He serves on boards such as the Legal Aid Society, American Theater Wing (as a Tony Award voter), John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and others.

He has also collected photography and has been involved in cultural institutions; some of his photographic collections have been lent to major museums.

Philosophy & Impact

Alan Siegel’s central philosophy is that simplicity and clarity are competitive advantages and marks of integrity. He argues that complex legal contracts, dense corporate disclosures, and opaque brand messaging erode trust, create barriers, and alienate audiences.

He champions plain English, straightforward communication, and removing “wordiness for its own sake.” His work with governments and financial institutions to simplify tax forms, contracts, and disclosures is a practical manifestation of this belief.

Over the decades, his influence has contributed to a broader movement in branding and corporate communications emphasizing authentic voice, customer-centric clarity, and the idea that less is more when done thoughtfully.

Selected Quotes of Alan Siegel

Here are a few notable quotations or ideas attributed to Alan Siegel:

• “Make clarity, transparency and simplicity a national priority.” (from his TED talk closing)

• On government communication: “There is no way that we should allow government to communicate the way they communicate.” (from his public speeches)

• Regarding complexity: “Simplicity has a strategy behind it.” (often paraphrased in interviews)

• On branding and voice: his firm’s motto and guiding tenet — “Simple is smart.”

These express his belief that communicative clarity is not about dumbed-down content, but about respectful, direct, and intelligible connection.

Lessons from Alan Siegel

From Siegel’s life and career, several broader lessons emerge:

1. Clarity builds trust
   Whether in brand messaging or legal contracts, people respond positively when they understand what is being said. Transparency reduces friction.

2. Complexity is often a choice
   Many organizations default to jargon or convoluted language. Siegel’s work shows that intentional simplification often yields greater engagement and credibility.

3. Voice matters
   A strong, consistent, authentic brand voice anchors the whole identity—not just visuals or logos. Siegel’s emphasis on "voice" expanded how branding is understood.

4. Small scale, big impact
   Even boutique efforts—like simplifying a tax form—can ripple into public good, raising standards of communication across institutions.

5. Sustain a sense of mission
   Siegel’s shift toward mission-driven branding (via Siegelvision) underscores aligning business with social purpose and clarity of mission.

Conclusion

Alan Siegel is a rare blend of strategist, communicator, and moral advocate for clarity. From his founding of Siegel+Gale to his leadership at Siegelvision and his continued public voice, he has shaped how brands, governments, and institutions talk—and taught many that less (if done well) is more.