The famous Elvis Presley TCB logo—the bold letters with a lightning bolt streaking through—has been around for decades. I’d seen it before. I knew it stood for Taking Care of Business.
But on my visit to Graceland, I learned something new that took it from “cool rock ’n’ roll graphic” to “core business mantra.”
That lightning bolt? It means “Taking Care of Business… in a flash.”
Suddenly, it wasn’t just a logo. It was a way of working. And it might as well be the slogan for every high-performing ad agency out there.
The Elvis Philosophy
The story goes like this: Elvis came up with TCB in the early ’70s as a motto for himself and his inner circle. It wasn’t just for the band—it was for his crew, the Memphis Mafia, and anyone close to him who was part of “the mission.”
Taking Care of Business wasn’t about grinding through a checklist. It was about doing whatever it took—quickly, decisively, and with flair. Elvis didn’t just want to get things done; he wanted to get them done right now and with a little showmanship.
The lightning bolt in the logo is what makes it more than a corporate-sounding mantra. It’s the spark, the speed, the burst of energy. It’s a reminder that execution matters just as much as intention.
What That Means in an Ad Agency
If you’ve ever worked in an agency, you know this is basically our day-to-day operating system.
Deadlines aren’t gentle suggestions—they’re right now or yesterday. Creative concepts need to move from napkin sketch to polished campaign in record time. Media buys have to pivot on the fly when the numbers change. And that one urgent client call? It’s probably coming in at 4:59 p.m. on a Friday.
In our world, “Taking Care of Business” isn’t just about checking boxes on a project plan. It’s about:
- Speed – Delivering high-quality work fast enough to keep momentum.
- Precision – Nailing the details even when the clock is ticking.
- Energy – Bringing excitement and confidence to every interaction.
- Creativity under pressure – Finding the “wow” factor even when the timeline is brutal.
That lightning bolt? It’s not just decoration—it’s the difference between good work eventually and great work right now.
Making It Personal
I liked the TCB story so much that I brought it back with me—literally. There’s a neon TCB sign hanging in my office now, glowing like a daily reminder to move fast and stay sharp.
And at home? My son gave me a framed TCB logo for my workstation. So whether I’m working from the office or my home desk, Elvis is still there—telling me to take care of the business in a flash.
Why TCB Still Works Today
The beauty of TCB is that it’s timeless. Elvis made it part of his identity in the 1970s, but the principle applies just as well to today’s high-speed, always-on business world. Especially in marketing, where success depends on how quickly you can turn ideas into results.
For us, TCB means being ready to:
- Launch a campaign before the competition sees it coming.
- Adjust a strategy the moment data says it’s time.
- Keep clients confident because they know we move.
Elvis had it right. Taking Care of Business in a Flash isn’t just a cool phrase—it’s a competitive advantage.
So now, when I see that lightning bolt, I don’t just think about Elvis on stage in his jumpsuit. I think about my team, my clients, and the pace of the work we do.
Because in our world, speed + creativity = results.
And every now and then, when a deadline feels impossible or a brief lands on my desk at the last second, I glance at that glowing TCB sign and remember: We’ve got this. In a flash. ⚡