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

By James P. Othmer

Book Overview

James P. Othmer, advertising executive turned novelist, gives us a hilarious, personal, and sneakily profound chronicle of the past, present, and future of the advertising business. On one level it's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038552496X
• ISBN13: 9780385524964
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Doubleday
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 1.2" x 6.4"

Customer Reviews

Must Read for Ad Agency Evolutionaries

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.

Advertising's Hilarious Vast Wasteland

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?

hilarious and penetrating non-fiction from futurist author

James P. Othmer is one of the funniest writers at work today. Period. His keen eye for the absurdities of the modern world rivals the likes of George Saunders and Sam Lipsyte. You could sharpen knives on Othmer's sentences. Prior to his 2006 debut novel, The Futurist, Jimbo was honing his mad skills in the advertising racket, as an exec at Young & Rubicam. And though I daresay it was a colossal waste of his talents, I, for one, am glad he endured it, or we wouldn't have Adland, a hilarious and insightful chronicle of the rise and fall of a modern ad man.

Telling not Tell All

Thoroughly enjoyed this fast moving tale. Hilarious, quick witted telling of the internal workings of advertising. Reminiscent and researched account of advertising's evolution from Darrin Stevens to Product Branding.

Mad Men 101

A very funny, realistic account of the ups and downs of the advertising world. Where its been and where its going. Bright, sharp, entertaining & informative. A must read for those considering the Marketing/Advertising field & those who were/are a part of the Ad Land.