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Friday, October 20, 2017

Sandy Quinn - my 167th choice to be named a Disney Legend

Sandy Quinn was an executive with Walt Disney World.  He was head of marketing for WDW in Florida through construction, the opening and several years of operation. He is my 167th pick to be named a Disney Legend. He was hired by Card Walker in 1968.

With a few weeks to go before the opening of Walt Disney World, Quinn was given the task of setting up a PGA golf tournament before the end of the year. He ended up recruiting golf Legend Arnold Palmer to get the tournament going. He is credited with launching the Disney Golf connection at Walt Disney World..

The following is a quote form the Orlando Sentinel: "They didn't hand Sandy Quinn any ''Can Do'' bumper stickers when he showed up in 1967 -- though it certainly would have made his life easier. He did get a nickname -- John the Baptist. Quinn was the first marketing executive on the scene. It was his job to tell people what Disney World was all about -- or would be about. Spread the word, so to speak. Actually, his first job was to take a foot-high stack of pink ''call back'' slips and begin the painful process of telling people that nobody cared if Walt was a distant cousin and had promised them a free week at the new attraction. The answer was ''No.'' They'd have to get in line like everyone else."

1 comment:

  1. Hi,

    Sandy Quinn hired my dad (Edward Litrenta) prior to the park opening to join the marketing team. My dad passed almost 12 years ago, so if you were to have any information or stories regarding his time at Disney, it would be greatly appreciated!

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