Adland: Searching for the Meaning of Life on a Branded Planet,   ISBN:9780385524964

Customer Rating: 

This guy seems to regret his entire career working in large advertising agencies on accounts many would love to have experience with. In the final pages he assumes a reporters hat and does a very good job of investigating the direction of today's and tomorrow's media consumption and how it is and will be used. If you are a real fan of advertising you might find it interesting but better to spend money and time with the likes of Godin and Gladwell fo insights into tomorrow's media.

Customer Rating: 

ADLAND: SEARCHING FOR THE MEANING OF LIFE ON A BRANDED PLANET comes from an author with over two decades in the business as a former Executive Creative Director at an advertising firm. His insights on the advertising industry and its demands offers an insider's survey of how ads are created and brought to life in a lively, outstanding analysis recommended for both business and general libraries.

Customer Rating: 

This is one of the best books I have ever read and I read over a hundred books annually spanning a wide variety of topics.

The author is exceptionally talented, extremely funny, and a joy to read. Every page was a delight. I found myself laughing out loud and some sections such as the F212 section nearly brought tears to my eyes from the vivid description of this fascinating organization.

I spent 30+ years on the client side of a Fortune 25 company mostly as a Marketing Director responsible, among many other duties, for advertising. I never had the privilege of meeting or working with the author but I wish I had as he would have undoubtedly had a positive impact on my brands.

PLEASE consider buying and enjoying this fascinating book. You certainly won't be disappointed.

Customer Rating: 

James Othmer is at his best in Adland when he offers a wide-eyed, insider's view of the ad agency industry that he has experienced first hand. The sad stories of lost pitches and bad bosses offer what "Ogilvy on Advertising" forgot to mention. Then, his exploration of the future of marketing and advertising presents a well-researched and well-thought-out range of possibilities. The book is a must-read for traditional marketing and advertising people who are trying to figure out where the market is going and how to hit the personal reset button. But it is also a LOL ride through an ad agency business that we know so well.

Customer Rating: 

James Othmer's witty & satirical look at the world of advertising is a fascinating and most compelling expose. It also demonstrates why conventional advertising campaigns and public relations strategies are changing faster than a speeding tweet on Twitter.

We've entered an age of internet information; businesses are moving away from conventional forms of advertising (bad news for newspapers, television & radio) in search of ways to actively engage their customers in the marketing process. The platforms are varied---from Facebook to Twitter---and the feedback is vital in helping them establish effective brand recognition.

Of course, it didn't used to be that way. Commercial television's advertising campaigns were rarely creative; for the most part, they were comprised of tired platitudes and bland voice-overs. Occasionally, some campaigns became tremendous hits, although many, such as Wendy's "Where's the Beef?" irritated people as much as entertained them. Othmer's hilariously satirical mock depictions of certain aspects of advertising will leave you rolling on the floor with laughter; literally.

In the end, the message delivered by Othmer becomes one of ethics and practicality. Is it worth it to be part of a dubious ad campaign that violates an individual's basic core values? Nowadays, would anyone even be listening?