Industry Books

In a rapidly changing industry, the Second Edition of Advertising Creative: Strategy, Copy, and Design is a reliable resource on the most recent trends of strategy, concepts, design, and integration of media and technology. This hands-on textbook is packed with cutting edge examples and details that take readers well beyond traditional media. Woven throughout the book are examples and case histories related to diversity and an ever-expanding global marketplace. Authors Tom Altstiel and Jean Grow provide a unique blend of real-world advice and academic perspectives (as a teaching professor for one of the top advertising programs in the country and an award-winning creative director and agency principle).

Buy Now »

Roman, former chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, paints a fascinating portrait of one of advertising's most eccentric—and beloved—characters. Born in a small English town in 1911, David Ogilvy was an indifferent student, struggling through on scholarship at the best schools in Britain, eventually getting himself expelled from Oxford. He started out as a successful salesman for the Aga cooker and became swiftly obsessed with advertising. During his long and storied career at Mather & Crowther—later Ogilvy & Mather—the flamboyantly dressed original Mad Man crafted some of the most famous and most successful campaigns in history: he made Schweppes into one of the most popular brands in America and turned Marlboro from a traditionally feminine item (red-tipped to avoid showing lipstick) into an icon of masculinity—and the world's best-selling cigarette. Meanwhile, he married three women, wrote three books, did intelligence work for Churchill and established himself as one of New York's most well-known and entertaining figures. Roman brilliantly renders American culture in the heady days of the '60s through the eyes of an energetic transplant. Lively writing and an affectionate yet honest tone make this an astonishingly charming and informative biography.

Buy Now »

This text equips students with the essential skills for developing and writing public relations materials, covering all areas of public relations writing--including news releases, backgrounders, newsletter and magazine articles, brochures, print advertising copy, and broadcast scripts. Coverage of recent technological changes, including the growth of digital and social media (blogging, Twitter, etc.) gives students an understanding of how technology impacts the public relations industry. In the constantly changing world of public relations, the text continues to stress the need for public relations professionals to communicate more effectively to all audiences. In addition, it covers basic planning, media relations, media placement and distribution, and law and ethics. 

Buy Now »

'42 Rules of Social Media for Small Business' is the modern survival guide to effective social media communications and the answer to the question, "what do I do with social media?" Written by communications professional Jennifer Jacobson, this book is designed to help working professionals find social media that fits their business and get the most out of their social media presence. From networking communication, to social branding, '42 Rules of Social Media for Small Business' addresses specific rules of engagement, as well as the fundamental approach to online, as opposed to traditional, media. As part of the 42 Rules series, this book is designed to quickly and effectively equip business professionals with the tools they need to generate an effective customer community through social media, that translates into customer loyalty, excitement for the brand, and return business that eventually generates a dedicated customer base and increased revenue. This book demystifies social media and teaches readers why social media is important to their business and how they can maximize their social media effectiveness.

Buy Now »

Godin derived the title for this engaging anthology of business homiletics from his marketing manifesto Purple Cow, which extolled the importance of garish new products that grab customers' attention. Phrased as a feel-good kindergarten platitude ("you are not ordinary/In fact, you're remarkable"), the principle seems a harmless nod to fancy-free individualism. But set in an adult business context of constant "change" and cutthroat price competition, where "winning the game has absolutely nothing to do with hard work and paying your dues" and "a constant stream of industry-busting insights and remarkable innovations" is the only guarantee of survival, the exhortation to uniqueness becomes terrifying and demoralizing. Fortunately, the cacophony of unsigned contributions from a "Group of 33" writers (Malcolm Gladwell and Tom Peters are in there somewhere) includes more reassuring and realistic lessons. There's a lot of New Economy histrionics ("They say, 'sure, we need change'"/ "I say, 'we need revolution now'"), but also comparatively restrained parables about marketing and customer service. Some writers note that competent imitation of proven ideas is often a better strategy than innovation, that self-effacing Bill Murray did better than self-aggrandizing Chevy Chase, and that, yup, hard work and paying your dues does pay off. The selections are for the most part brief and pithy, and while they don't add up to a coherent viewpoint, browsers are bound to find something that hits a chord.

Buy Now »