Business of the Week: Herb Bass, Writer and Realtor

Herb Bass

102 Willow Avenue, Fairfax

(415) 246-0895; herbbass.com

What do they offer? 

Fairfax resident Herb Bass brings thirty years experience as a writer/producer of advertising, marketing, and corporate communications to all of his projects. 

As a writer, Bass takes on freelance assignments these days, including print and TV advertising, web content, collateral, sales promotions, corporate video and events, press releases and executive speech writing. 

As a realtor, Bass brings the skill set of someone who listened, wrote and produced for such notable corporate clients as Union Bank, Netscape, and Levi Strauss. Working with Madison Company Realtors, Bass has intimate knowledge of, and a great love for, Marin County. He provides a unique perspective, and excels in putting the right buyer with the right seller. “I work like crazy for my clients to make sure it happens,” he said.    

Who is he? 

Originally from Boston and educated at Boston Latin School and Boston University, as a writer/producer Bass has been hired by a broad base of clients from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, in a wide variety of industries, and has handled major projects for companies such as CNBC, Cisco, Netscape, Seagram, Bank of America, Visa, Ross Stores, the Alta Mira Recovery Center, and Beringer/Blass Wines.   

Bass started his career as a copywriter for Hal Riney (Advertising Hall of Fame) and has taught copywriting and advertising classes at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Able to strategize with all levels of management, he has written for a vast variety of audiences including general employees, sales forces, customers, the financial community, media contacts, business partners, shareholders, and the general public.  

In the mid 70s, he co-founded Bass Francis Productions which became the largest independent corporate communications production company in San Francisco.  With clients like Honda, Sprint, Apple, and Clorox, the business was nationally recognized for 17 years for all forms of advertising, marketing and corporate communications.  

Five years ago, Bass got his realtor’s license with the goal of specializing in Marin and making the entire process of buying or selling a home as smooth, easy and stress-free as possible.    

How long has he been here? 

Bass and his wife Isabelle are long time Fairfax residents whose sons, Rusty and Brody, went through the Ross Valley School system and attended Sir Francis Drake High School. A former actress and copywriter, Isabelle decided to be a stay-at-home mom and never regretted it for a second. Both boys spent a lot of time on location with Bass as production assistants and also as talent. 

A dedicated family man and very much a part of the community, Bass says he can walk the entire Ross Valley blindfolded. He knows the trees personally. 

Why is he the business of the week?  

When Bass produced the Clio Awards shows at Masonic Auditorium for the three years they were held in San Francisco, Bill Maher was guest emcee one year, and Siskel & Ebert the other two years. He got Hal Riney and Willie Brown for keynote speakers. And Dick Bright for the live music for intros and walk-ons. 

Due to his out of the box thinking and creativity, as a producer who assesses the needs of his clients and solves problems, Bass easily translates that skill to real estate, bringing exceptional attention to detail and excellent negotiating skills to  complex transactions.    

The husband and father is passionate about family and gives a great deal back to the Marin community. Bass has served on the boards of the Ross Valley Community for Schools (now the YES! Foundation), the San Anselmo Preschool, Theater Artists of Marin, and the Jewish Vocational Service of San Francisco, Marin and the Peninsula. He’s also worked pro-bono for the Junior League of San Francisco PBS and United Way. 

If you  need sales, collateral, public relations, web content, or even a speech written, Bass could be your guy. If you are buying or selling a house, Bass could be your guy.   

If you need both, you're in luck. As he said, “I’m a dual career kind of guy.” One who combines off-the-wall advertising creativity and practical corporate thinking to every job, whether writing or real estate.