The Expanded Required Ad Industry Reading List

“Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!” by Luke Sullivan

Written by a top industry copywriter, this guide book is meant to help young creatives hone their craft. The newest addition has additional chapters to address digital concerns and emerging platforms relevant to advertising.

“How to Make It as an Advertising Creative“
by Simon Veksner

For those contemplating their advertising future, Simon Veksner, a copywriter at Bartle Bogle Hegarty, gathers advice from experienced industry professionals and to help readers reach their creative career goals.

“e” by Matt Beaumont

While “e” is certainly fiction, it touches on many of the crazier office hijinks found in advertising agencies. The entire book is a series of emails, aimed at bringing to light larger industry taboos.

“Advertising Concept Book” by Pete Barry

This book has elements of being a guidebook, but also nails in the importance of “concept” to advertisers. For advertisers struggling to push their ads from good to great, this book promises to help develop and polish the initial idea.

“Where the Suckers Moon” by Randall Rothenberg

Seasoned ad professionals may enjoy this case study focusing on a mismatch between Subaru and a trendy agency. The book addresses internal and external conflicts that are all too common within an agency and between the agency and client.

“Chiat/Day: The First Twenty Years” by Rizzoli

Famous for its 1983, “1984” Apple computer commercial directed by Ridley Scott, this book chronicles the Chiat/Day campaign history, acknowledging both their successes and failure.

“From Those Wonderful Folks Who Gave You Pearl Harbor: Front-line Dispatches from the Advertising War” by Jerry Della Femina

Mad Men fans will appreciate this insightful memoir about the Madison Avenue circa the 60s. The title reportedly was meant as a joke to try and sell Honda motor scooters when Japanese vehicles were unpopular in the United States.

“Dry” by Augusten Burroughs

This memoir is a darker look into agency culture, where Augusten Burroughs shares his experiences of being dispatched into rehab by his company, and his struggles in regaining his former life.

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