Ad and Marketing Book Reviews

From Mad Men to Made Men in Bob Garfield's First Novel

From Mad Men to Made Men in Bob Garfield's First Novel

Bob Garfield's novel "Bedfellows" is "Goodfellas" on laughing gas.

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Is Mark Zuckerberg a Genius?

Is Mark Zuckerberg a Genius?

Despite a sense of inevitability and a bit of deification when it comes to Mark Zuckerberg, "The Facebook Effect" is a valuable chronicle of the social network's transformation.

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Your Pitch Isn't as Good as You Think

Your Pitch Isn't as Good as You Think

How good is your pitch? Not as good as you might think. 'Pitch Anything' uses neuroscience to explain why.

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Confessions of an Internet Menace

Confessions of an Internet Menace

David Thorne's sly -- some would say mean -- sense of humor and design savvy have made him a viral success.

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An Instructive View From the Top

An Instructive View From the Top

In 'The Corner Office' Adam Bryant, senior editor for features at the New York Times, avoids tired clichés and executive hubris to deliver a book relevant to anyone building brands and selling products.

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A Case for Why Words Matter

A Case for Why Words Matter

In 'Users Not Customers,' Aaron Shapiro, CEO of digital agency Huge, introduces a subtle shift in nomenclature, moving from the idea of customers -- or buyers -- to users.

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Sharing Is an Important Lesson for Us All, Not Just Toddlers

Sharing Is an Important Lesson for Us All, Not Just Toddlers

Lisa Gansky reminds us of the importance of sharing, at a time when new businesses are getting people to share products rather than own them.

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How to Battle Bigger Brands and Win

How to Battle Bigger Brands and Win

Stephen Denny tackles a topic that's not often fodder for business books in "Killing Giants."

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Leo Burnett Execs Unravel How Humans Connect With and Process Advertising

Leo Burnett Execs Unravel How Humans Connect With and Process Advertising

"Humankind" may be a play for new business, but it's also rich in fresh marketing concepts and useful tools.

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A Common-Sense Approach to Opening Doors and Closing Deals

A Common-Sense Approach to Opening Doors and Closing Deals

Raw talent and high energy aren't enough to close new business in today's stagnant, competitive economy. Instead, author Thomas Freese recommends a methodical approach and challenges traditional sales approaches in "Sell Yourself First."

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It's Time to Bury Viral Video

It's Time to Bury Viral Video

Kevin Nalty advises brands to work with web stars, rather than pursue the vaunted viral video, in "Beyond Viral."

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Why You Should Be Asking Why

Why You Should Be Asking Why

Whether leading, partnering, marketing or dating, "Start With Why" shows how missing or losing the "why" inevitably leads to grief.

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6.5 Reasons to Read Gitomer's Social Boom

6.5 Reasons to Read Gitomer's Social Boom

Generally I loathe how-to books. But the cheery "Social Boom!" by Jeffrey Gitomer caught me by surprise with its energetic calls to embrace business social media. Here are 6.5 reasons to read it.

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A Primer for Marketers That Deadheads Will Appreciate

A Primer for Marketers That Deadheads Will Appreciate

Were the Grateful Dead and their brain trust genuine marketing gurus, or merely saints of circumstance?

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Why Gems in the Story of the Elusive Albert Lasker Make It a Must-Read for Anyone in Advertising

Why Gems in the Story of the Elusive Albert Lasker Make It a Must-Read for Anyone in Advertising

If for no other reason than bringing Albert Lasker's story to us, authors Cruikshank and Schultz deserve our thanks. There are so few biographies of him, and this book admirably fills that void.

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Want to Evolve Your Marketing? Let People -- Not Products -- Lead the Way

Want to Evolve Your Marketing? Let People -- Not Products -- Lead the Way

Looking for big ideas to take your marketing to the next level? "Marketing 3.0" proposes a fundamental evolution to our marketing strategies. It seeks to move our focus from product and customer models to a human-centric model.

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Let 'Consumed' Consume You, If You're Interested in Getting Ahead

Let 'Consumed' Consume You, If You're Interested in Getting Ahead

Jeffrey Hayzlett finds that "Consumed," which seeks to answer the question of why we purchase, peruse and play, is even more relevant for those wanting to survive and thrive, given that it's set in the context of today's new economic reality.

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Why Ogilvy's 'Confessions' Charms Nearly a Half-Century Later

Why Ogilvy's 'Confessions' Charms Nearly a Half-Century Later

Kenneth Roman revisits David Ogilvy's famous treatise and finds it still delights after all these years.

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Self-Evident Revelations Mar Dan Hill's 'About Face'

Self-Evident Revelations Mar Dan Hill's 'About Face'

Left Hand's Nat Gutwirth reviews "About Face: The Secrets of Emotionally Effective Advertising."

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A Useful Guide to How Companies Can Empower Employees to Move Business Forward

A Useful Guide to How Companies Can Empower Employees to Move Business Forward

WCG's Aaron Stout reviews Josh Bernoff and Ted Schadler's book on employee empowerment, "Empowered."

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