Product Description

"Account planning exists for the sole purpose of creating advertising that truly connects with consumers. While many in the industry are still dissecting consumer behavior, extrapolating demographic trends, developing complex behavioral models, and measuring Pavlovian salivary responses, Steel advocates an approach to consumer research that is based on simplicity, common sense, and creativity––an approach that gains access to consumers′ hearts and minds, develops ongoing relationships with them, and, most important, embraces them as partners in the process of developing and advertising.

A witty, erudite raconteur and teacher, 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; and he shows how the right research, when translated into a motivating and inspiring brief, can be the catalyst for great creative ideas. He draws upon his own experiences and those of colleagues in the United States and abroad to illustrate those points, and includes examples of some of the most successful campaigns in recent years, including Polaroid, Norwegian Cruise Line, Porsche, Isuzu, "got milk?" and others.

The message of this book is that well–thought–out account planning results in better, more effective marketing and advertising for both agencies and clients. And also makes an evening in front of the television easier to bear for the population at large."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51832 in Books
• Published on: 1998-03-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Geoffrey Frost, Director of Global Advertising, Nike Inc.
"A very smart, very funny look at what works, what doesn't, and why, in the sometimes maddening, sometimes inspiring business of advertising. One of the brightest books about the subject in a long, long time." - Geoffrey Frost, Director of Global Advertising, Nike Inc.

Jane Newman, Partner, Director of Strategic Planning, Merkley, Newman, Harty.
"Jon Steel is one of the top five account planners in the world. The depth and breadth of this book reflects his vast personal experience and exceptional talent. It's not just a great book about account planning, it's a great book about advertising." -Jane Newman, Partner, Director of Strategic Planning, Merkley, Newman, Harty.

Rob White, Director of Planning, Fallon McElligott
"The beauty of this book is that it discusses the theories and practice of one of the brightest minds in advertising today, yet never loses its irreverent tone. It's a great book for the advertising industry and a must read for planners." -Rob White, Director of Planning, Fallon McElligott

Customer Reviews

A view from an outsider
I am not in any way connected to advertising, marketing or the business world. In fact, I'm a warehouse worker. However, I'm an avid reader and wanted to find out more about the advertising industry - my curiosity having been aroused by all those documentaries on BBC4.

I found this book really interesting. About how research can be flawed and how to conduct proper research. Then how the results from that research are used to form the advertising. What I most enjoyed reading about were, among other things, how to advertise an SUV vehicle that isn't that distinctive from it's rivals, or how to sell cycle helmets to kids who think that cycle helmets aren't cool - and to their parents. The most important thing that this book did for me was to describe the process of creating great advertising from it's initial inception right through to the finished product. And, as I touched on earlier, there are some great examples of very successful advertising campaigns being executed, seemingly, against great odds. I particularly enjoyed the chapter about the 'got milk?' campaign - which was responsible for increasing milk consumption in California when it had been in decline. I laughed out loud quite afew times. Infact, all of this book is written with great wit and humour. It's a joy to read and flows very easily.

Advertising is part of our culture. It's up there with art, music, the theatre and television. Whatever your views are about Western Capitalism you can't escape the fact that people like adverts, and are influenced by them despite what they say - I know that I am. So if you like culture you should read this book.

The best book on advertising you could read
On the basis that the legendary Jeremy Bullmore's writing tends to be on brands, as much as on advertising, I have NO hesitation in deeming this the best book on advertising I have read: by a LONG way.
It is simply magnificent: compelling examples, involving, witty and (Thank God!) funny prose, and the sort of thinking that makes you realize what is great about advertising and brand planning when it's done well.
If you have any involvement in a brand, you ought to own it. If you are an advertising planner, you ought to be able to recite it.
Brilliant.

Top book! Top read! Top man!
Top book! Top read. Interesting and inspiring! And Intellectual. Jon describes the job and his part in VERY successful campaigns in such great detail. He really gets into the HEART and HEAD of the customer. Brilliant read. I read it on holiday and came back and soon after applied for jobs as account planner. I became a media planner with Mediacom (after discovering the similarities with account planner and the fact the were options for media planning jobs at the time). Good company. Good job. Analytical and creative. And negotiating skills too. I recommend this book to entrepreneurs who want to learn how to target their clients/ customers better (and find them!). I recommend this book to anyone interested in marketing. And finally anyone interesting in getting into advertising or interested in getting a job...read this book! Jon Steel is a legend in his field and is behind some very successful US campaigns like GOT MILK?. Read this book and you’ll understand why he’s so good. Happy reading.
Phil McNally
Author of 'Winning Mentality- 7 Mind Techniques used by Winners'
GET A CHAPTER FREE FROM http://www.winningmentality.co.uk
AS READ BY GOLD MEDALLISTS JONNY WILKINSON, CHRIS HOY, & KELLY HOLMES!