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BOOKS & PODCAST RECOS

WHY BOOKS & PODCASTS?

Books are a great way to build a foundational understanding of the advertising industry and creative process. The books below are some of the most popular books as well as other book recos I've gotten in recent years. 

I included "buy online" options for people looking to purchase the book. I generally just link the cheapest place to buy the book but they are usually available at other stores too so you don't have to use those links. 

BOOK LIST

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Hey Whipple Squeeze This

From starting out and getting work, to building successful campaigns, you gain a real-world perspective on what it means to be great in a fast-moving, sometimes harsh industry. You'll learn how to tell brand stories and create brand experiences online and in traditional media outlets, and you'll learn more about the value of authenticity, simplicity, storytelling, and conflict.

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Advertising Account Planning

Concise yet comprehensive, this practical guide covers the critical role of the account planner in advertising. It does an excellent job of taking readers through the history of planning, its role in advertising campaigns, and the specifics of segmentation, positioning, and developing insights.

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The Hero and

The Outlaw

Using studies drawn from the experiences of Nike, Marlboro, Ivory and other powerhouse brands, the authors show that the most successful brands are those that most effectively correspond to fundamental patterns in the unconscious mind known as archetypes. This book explores those archetypes and how they connect to consumer needs. 

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Thinking, Fast & Slow

In this book, the author - Kahneman - goes on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional; System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. He supports his conclusions with years of psychological research. 

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Confessions of

an Advertising Man

David Ogilvy was considered the "father of advertising" and pioneered the way for the1960s MadMen generation. This book covers not only his views on advertising, but also people management, corporate ethics, and office politics, and forms an essential blueprint for good practice in business and a good look at the origins of the industry.

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Brandsplaining: Why Advertising is Still Sexist and How To Fix It

In Brandsplaining, Jane Cunningham and Philippa Roberts present a data-led analysis of marketing to women and expose the good, the bad and the ugly assumptions that lie behind it. Informed by this and a significant new piece of global research, they put forward an innovative solution

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Made to Stick

Why do some ideas thrive while others die? And how do we improve the chances of worthy ideas? In Made to Stick, accomplished educators and idea collectors Chip and Dan Heath tackle head-on these vexing questions. Inside, the brothers Heath reveal the anatomy of ideas that stick and explain ways to make ideas stickie

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The Anatomy of a Humbug

The Anatomy of Humbug picks apart the historical roots of our common - and often contradictory - beliefs about advertising, in order to create space for a more flexible, creative and effective approach to this fascinating and complex field of human communication.

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Truth, Lies, and Advertising

Steel describes how successful account planners work in partnership with clients, consumer, and agency creatives. He criticizes research practices that, far from creating relationships, drive a wedge between agencies and the people they aim to persuade; he suggests new ways of approaching research to cut through the BS and get people to show their true selves

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The Art of

Client Service

Most advertising and marketing people would claim great client service is an elusive, ephemeral pursuit, not easily characterized by a precise skill set or inventory of responsibilities; this book and its author argue otherwise, claiming there are definable, actionable methods to the role, and provide guidance designed to achieve more effective work

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The Tipping Point

In The Tipping Point, New Yorker writer Malcolm Gladwell looks at why major changes in society happen suddenly and unexpectedly. Gladwell uncovers the personality types who are natural pollinators of new ideas and trends. He analyzes fashion trends, smoking, children's television, direct mail and the early days of the American Revolution for clues about making ideas infectious.

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Steal Like an Artist

Steal like an Artist explores the idea that nothing is original anymore so creatives must embrace the concepts of reimagining and remixing inspiration to create a new path. It seeks to be an inspiring guide to creativity in the digital age. 

PODCASTS

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AdWeek's official weekly podcast debating and discussing the highlights of the advertising and marketing industry. 

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A weekly look at the stories making waves across the marketing industry featuring discussions with newsmakers and Ad Age reporters.

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A podcast on how graphic designers, UX designers, illustrators, typographers, artists, activists and other creatives empower creativity for all. 

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Hidden Brain explores the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior and questions that lie at the heart of our complex and changing world.

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Weekly conversations with two leaders in the the advertising industry with features from professionals on the new and next in marketing, media, and creativity.

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A home for the creative and intellectual. Exploring art, faith, and philosophy in thoughtful, engaging, and sometimes hysterical conversations.

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HBR's weekly podcast that highlights leaders and thinkers in the world of business, marketing, psychology and research. 

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Tagline by Clio is a podcast that interviews the people behind some of the best ads and campaigns telling the story of how it got made.

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One of the world's very first podcasts, Design Matters is about how incredibly creative people design the arc of their lives.

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A podcast run by industry creatives that interview other successful top-tier creators in advertising.

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A podcast that helps black women reclaim their creativity and find their voices through these inspiring stories and interviews. 

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The Kontent Queens podcast is a weekly chat to help content creators understand the dirty truths of the social media world and find inspiration through industry professionals.

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