Review by Just Bill:

If you’re in the profession of advertising, and this book isn’t on your bookshelf, dog-eared, stained and well-worn, you’ve been ripping off your clients.The entire premise of Ogilvy on Advertising boils down to one simple statement (coined by Claude Hopkins nearly 80 years ago in his book Scientific Advertising): “Advertising is salesmanship.” Sadly, the advertising world has drifted from that solid mooring. And now those who profess it are considered anachronistic at best. And kooky at worst.Ogilvy, a staunch admirer of Hopkins, firmly embraced that tenet — and it propelled him and his agency (Ogilvy and Mather) to the Mount Olympus of the advertising world. Most importantly, it made his clients rich beyond the dreams of avarice.Ogilvy’s writing is captivating. His work, legendary. His ideas, timeless. The information in this book is easily work 10 times the cover price.I’ve been in the profession of advertising for nearly 15 years. I’m also an adjunct professor at a nearby university. I wholeheartedly recommend Ogilvy On Advertising to my students. I firmly embrace its principles in my profession.And I, without hesitation, urge you to read it as well.

Review by :

This is one of those rare books everyone ought to have to read. Like “The Elements of Style,” “Writing That Works, and “Profiles in Courage.” I had read this book back in 1990 when I was out of work, looking for a job in advertising. The advertising job never happened for me and I moved on to other things.I did not realize, until I recently picked up a copy to re-read, how much it had influenced me the first time I read it. Half of the way I conduct myself at work and a lot of my thought processes and strategy is still influenced by what is in this book. I make over 6 times what I made back in 1991. I realize now I have Mr. Ogilvy to thank for a great deal of that.Read this book. At least once.

Review by Barry Callen:

Goodby-Berlin may well be the best advertising agency in world at this time. Jon Steele’s introduction of account planning there may well be the main reason. The proven formula: original consumer insights help create more powerful ads for greater results. Steele’s work has consistently produced successes like the “Got Milk?” campaign.Steele’s approach is rare in the advertising world for several reasons: it shows humility and common sense, honors listening to the consumer with imagination, acknowledges the importance of creative quality, is mercifully free of self-promotion, and states the limits of account planning (sometimes there are simply no insights to be found).While this is not a “how-to” book, I particularly enjoyed some of the tools and tactics: asking focus group participants to go weeks without milk and report back on what they had missed; asking drivers to fill in a thought balloon when they see the driver of a particular brand of car.When I was done reading the book I felt as if I had just had a witty and interesting conversation with an intelligent and insightful person. I have been sharing the book with my advertising partners ever since.

Review by Richard Whitney:

Intrusive, obnoxious, impersonal, insincere and arrogant are all adjectives, which have been attached to the world of advertising. However, in Truth, Lies and Advertising: The Art of Account Planning author Jon Steel looks to dispel these characteristics in a unique manner. Through conversational, descriptive, humorous, and entertaining examples Steel seeks not to convince the public that advertising is undeserving of its rap, but to convince those in the biz that by focusing on building relationship with consumers the negative personality of advertising could quite possibly be changed. In Steel’s eyes, the most effective advertising involves consumers in two critical areas; one, consumers must take part in the development of communication and two, consumers must be involved in the communication itself. Simply put, creating dialogue with consumers will allow advertisers to know exactly what consumers actually want in a brand and product, and consumers should not be told what to think, but they should be given persuasive facts and allowed to make up their own minds. As Director of Account Planning and Vice Chairman for by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco, Steel has helped create several consumer-centric campaigns such as the “Got Milk” campaign for the California Fluid Milk Processors Advisory Board and the “See What Develops” campaign for the Polaroid Corporation. Steel has also planned successful campaigns for the Northern California Honda Dealers Advertising Association, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Chevy’s Mexican Restaurants. Each of these advertising campaigns are described in great detail and serve as wonderful examples of how Steel’s consumer focused philosophy of performing comprehensive research or even “eaves-dropping” on consumers helps breed advertising success. Steel also makes excellent points by including the opinions of some of the most influential fathers of modern advertising. Ad pioneers such as Leo Burnett, David Ogilvy, Rich Silverstein, Stanley Pollet, and Jay Chiat each appear throughout the book via quotes or clever anecdotes Although these admen’s opinions may not be considered entirely precise and applicable by today’s standards, Steel uses each person’s suggestions to clearly illustrate points related to successful account planning. Lastly, the four keys to what makes a successful account planner are absolutely classic. Steel’s advice that great account planners should be able to provide important information necessary to make informed decisions, should be able to spend more time listening than talking, should possess a chameleonesque quality that fosters unique relationships with different types of people, and in true humorous Steel fashion he sums up the characteristics with, great account planners should simply “have something weird about them!” So even if we don’t all dream of planning the next award winning ad campaign, at least we know in some “weird” way we’re one-quarter of the way there.

Review by :

It is so good because Caples was in the mail order advertising business for forty-something years, and that’s one of the few kinds of advertising that gets real feedback. Ads can be tested and the results can be compared. So Caples gives you FACTS rather than opinions about what works in advertising. The book is very informative and also very interesting because Caples will show you two examples of ads he ran as a split-run and says “one sold three times more than the other; can you guess which one?” Then he’ll tell you, and tell you WHY. Not only that, but the book is extremely readable. I’m the author of Self-Help Stuff That Works, and I’m an expert on putting the most useful information into a readable form, and this book is as good as it gets. As David Ogilvy says in the introduction, “This is, without a doubt, the most USEFUL book about advertising that I have ever read.” No more endorsement than that is needed!

Review by MAT:

I have read this book twice cover to cover and refer to it almost everyday. If I could have given this book 6 stars I would have done it without reservation.I have ordered and read at least 4 different books on copywriting and advertising in the last year. Most of the books have good ideas, but none of them describe the methods of writing headlines the way Caples does. He spends 4 chapters on it and let me tell you when he is finished you will know it cold! Personally that would have been enough to sell me on the book, but he doesn’t stop there. He talks about scientific advertising to make sure you are writing ads that sell and not waste money. In addition, he talks through how to write the first paragraph and how to structure the copy. Finally, he spends time to talking about how to improve the selling power of copy.Since I have read this book my ability to write copy has reached a whole new level. If you are in this field or responsible for writing copy I would advise you that this is a book you MUST own.

Review by :

I have just completed reading Advertising and Promotion: An Integrated Marketing communications Perspective by Belch and Belch. I found it to be the best source of information available on this topic. The text is extremely comprehensive, yet very interesting to read. At my job as a marketing director, this book is invaluable. I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to develop an integrated marketing communications plan. I will also suggest it to my advertising agency.

Review by J. Tucker:

I am reading this book for a Marketing class and I love it. I have used other books by the authors and they are very good. It’s a good read and not to boring. You can tell the authors make an attempt to keep the material relevant.

Review by :

Maybe I’m a little biased, because Mr. Arens was my professor while I attended San Diego State. I really never knew how good this book was until I started working in Advertising. I highly recomend it for anyone who is looking to have a better understanding of this field or for anyone who is considering it as a career. Good for any side of advertising (i.e. creative, account, traffic, etc…)

Review by :

Great reference for marketing communications from advertising to sales promotion for new comers to the field. Good resource for small businesses as well. Outstanding examples throughout the text. Very readable, but could be more concise.

Review by James Sadler:

All the modern giants of advertising still swear by this book. Ogilvy even claimed it changed his life (in advertising anyway, but who knows, advertising is Ogilvy’s life). The book is amazing in both its simple and direct approach. It’s relatively short, yet packed with information of use to anyone interested in advertising.Hopkins essentially invented many of the concepts that so many advertisers take for granted today, chief among them what seems like a simple idea: the coupon. And even today, many advertisers fail to get results when they stray from his teachings. One of the most famous examples of failing to follow his teachings: the “Got Milk” campaign. Sure, it seems clever and it’s definitely high profile, but from a marketing standpoint, it’s a flop. Milk sales have not moved upward at all despite the fact that milk producers are now several years into the campaign. Want to know why it failed? Read Hopkins’s book.Whether you are an individual considering a career in advertising or an businessperson trying to figure out how best to market your business, start with Hopkins and then move onto the rest. All advertising before “Scientific Advertising” flows into it; and all advertising after “Scientific Advertising” flows out of it.

Review by Randy Kemp:

There is an old saying that goes, “there is nothing new but what has been forgotten.” Advertising is about 100 years old, but the science and art behind what appears to buying psychology, really hasn’t changed that much. If you study this work of Claude C. Hopkins, you will understand that he pioneered methods that are still used today. David Ogilvy was another one of these pioneers, and he said, “no one should be in advertising that has not read Scientific Advertising at least seven times.” If you study any of the notable marketing gurus today (e.g. – Dan Kennedy), they are just positioning what Claude has said in a contemporary format. And even marketing for the Internet – if you look beyond the HTML bells and whistles – is still utilizing the basic psychology of sales letter generation, and copywriting, that Claude pioneered.

www.randykempcopywriting.com

Review by Manny Hernandez:

Catherine Seda’s excellent book “Search Engine Advertising” is the perfect complement to Shari Thurow’s “Search Engine Visibility” from which includes an excerpt toward the end. Where Thurow’s book, the best one in terms of accomplishing high rankins in ‘organic’ (read unpaid) search results, Seda’s book brings along the whole other side of the equation: that of paid options to accomplish high rankings. In doing so, one of her key points is that Search Engine Advertising doesn’t end when the customer arrives at your site (visits), but it really is about conversions (getting the customer to make a purchase, subscribe or whatever your web site’s purpose is when s/he arrives to it).The book is very well structured around six parts:
i) Planning: the key (yet sometimes overlooked) part of the process, to ensure you know who you are targetting and how, before jumping into the paid options.
ii) Paid Placement Programs: she presents the differences (pros and cons) of the most important fixed placement and pay-for-placement programs available.
iii) Paid Inclusion Programs: directories are presented here in all their splendor, along with what you can do to enhance your possibilities before submitting your site, and how to manage a large number of simultaneous submissions. Web site optimization is touched upon briefly at this point, but in no way substituting Thurow’s book on the topic: you simply have to have both, if you’re serious about Online Marketing at all.iv) Specialized Search Engines: comparison shopping engines, vertical market search engines and international search engines are discussed in some detail, to get you started with them.
v) Tracking ROI: normally just as overlooked as the planning stage, the tracking of the results of paid advertising campaigns are discussed in extensive detail to ensure that you are able to steer the boat in the right direction if your ROI data shows that you’re putting money on the wrong key terms, your copy is not doing what it should to engage customers, or your landing pages are not taking customers where you want them to go once they get to your site.
vi) Protecting profits: topics such as click fraud, trademark infringement and affilate networks are discussed, as things to keep an eye on.All in all, this is not a book you’d want to sit down and read in one afternoon (nor would you be able to). This is a hands-on book to work through and use as a reference as you’re getting your feet wet with this whole other animal that is paid advertising on the Web. It has done a ton for me in the two months I’ve been applying the concepts contained in it, since it summarizes very well all the options available to you, their pros/cons and how to best take advantage of them, considering your size and budget. I highly recommend it without reserves for eMarketers that have not had too much exposure to paid options, as well as those who have some experience in the area, since it provides a wealth of tips and insights that most people in the field can benefit from.Disclosure: I received a copy for review from the publisher.

Review by R. McDaniel:

I’m sure this book was cutting edge when it was first published in February of 2004, but now it’s for the most part outdated. For the absolute beginner to this area, there are some good general points, but references to long-since defunct or consolidated web companies (Urchin, Inktomi,etc) make it difficult to understand just what’s still relevant. Google and Yahoo (and soon Microsoft) are defining the new landscape of this field as we speak…Try the new book from IBM press, “Search Engine Marketing”….chock full of the latest (as late as can be in this field) info.

Review by M. Dement:

This book is an outstanding resource for anyone interested in learning about developing and fostering creativity. Mario Pricken’s techniques focus on applications in creative advertising. However, both his “DreamTeam” group work techniques and his “KickStart Catalogue” are valuable tools for creating novel ideas in any field. Pricken supports his techniques and theories with stunning visuals from award-winning campaigns from around the globe. He stresses the importance of applying his techniques, specifically the “DreamTeam”, in creating advertisements that deliver results. The bulk of Pricken’s material is composed of the “KickStart Catalogue”. This section outlines numerous creative techniques that can be used to elicit novel ideas. The author backs up each one of these techniques with applications to creative advertising. The purpose of the section is to act partly as a guide for creative thinking and to act partly as inspiration for new ideas. The “DreamTeam” guidelines are a great resource for encouraging creative thought in groups. In this section, Pricken outlines what is needed in a work environment to build creativity instead of breaking it down. Additionally, the author outlines other classic creative techniques that can be applied to all fields including creative advertising. He recounts timeless techniques including storyboarding, first developed by Walt Disney in the early 20th century. Pricken delivers a stunning finish to his work by outlining several interviews with industry professionals. Marketing professors, graphic designers, account executives, and creative directors in the top of the domain all recount their take on the world of creative advertising. This book’s strength lays in its stunning use of visual examples to support the author’s somewhat stretching theories. Pricken’s careful eye and meticulous research shine through in this work. The only problem with this book is the slight over analysis of some creative techniques. Pricken is guilty of what many marketers often do: over complicate their craft. Many of the theories put forward can be condensed into groups. While his thoughts are well researched and developed, they can be perceived as mechanical interpretations of otherwise innate processes. I would recommend this book to anyone curious about marketing, communications, or simply anyone who has ever enjoyed a creative advertisement.

Review by A. R. Kalamut:

This book is simple to read. Perfect to look at.

What this book does is “Quick Starts” you into the creative process of creating innovative and unforgettable advertisng that works. This book gives you insights from some of the creators of the samples shown within.

This is required reading for all my entry and senior level copywriting and concept classes. It is where we start looking and searching for that elusive “big idea”. While it does a great job showcasing advertising that works, what makes it a perfect tool for students is the details behind the thinking strategies.

While you’re here add “Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This: A Guide to Creating Great Ads” to your shopping cart. The two books work well together.

If you are simple interested in advertising or make your living in the ad game… buy this book. You won’t be sorry.