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The Advertising Concept Book [Paperback]

Pete Barry
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)


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Book Description

July 21, 2008

An essential introduction to the field for all students in advertising, communications, marketing, and allied fields, and an invaluable reference for professionals.

How do you write a great ad? Pete Barry, who worked at Ogilvy London and now teaches in New York, goes straight to the basics: work out what you want to say, who you are saying it to, and how you want to say it. No amount of glossy presentation will make a successful ad if the idea behind it is unconvincing.

Structured to provide both a complete course on advertising and a quick reference on particular topics, the book covers every aspect of the business, from how to write copy and choose a typeface to how agencies work, to the different strategies used for print, TV, film, and other types of media, including interactive. In a unique feature, Barry provides his own concept drawings of nearly 400 of the greatest ads of all time.

Exercises throughout will help both students and professionals assess their own work and that of others. Having critiqued and directed over 45,000 student ads, Barry outlines simple rules about where to start and how to “push” an ad to turn it into something exceptional. He explains how to work in a team, or not; how to best present projects; and how to turn an idea into a campaign. 400 illustrations


Editorial Reviews

Review

“A solid, fun, informative read.” (CMYK Magazine )

“Invaluable advice.” (Creative Review )

“Sound advice for advertising creatives.” (Communication Arts )

“The book supports our school's philosophy: have a great concept before you run to the computer.” (Maria Scileppi, Associate Director, Chicago Portfolio School )

From the Publisher

An essential introduction to the field for all students in advertising, communications, marketing, and allied fields, and an invaluable reference for professionals.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Thames & Hudson; First Edition edition (July 21, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0500287384
  • ISBN-13: 978-0500287385
  • Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #251,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pete Barry began his career as an art director at Ogilvy, London. He now works as a copywriter in New York, and has taught advertising at Syracuse University.

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
(20)
4.7 out of 5 stars
Explains the creative process well. Bradley Tangonan  |  6 reviewers made a similar statement
Very clear thought. PC on the Mac  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 28 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Looks great August 4, 2008
Format:Paperback
The point of this book is that the concept is king. Focus on great ideas, and only then should you focus on crafting them with whatever tools you need - PhotoShop, InDesign, and so on. To illustrate (excuse the pun) the point, every single ad in the book has been done as a pencil sketch (or comp, or scamp, or rough, depending on your preferred terminology). These sketches alone are beautifully done. They cover many of the most famous ads of all time, and they do make their point well: the great ideas shine through.

The book is broken up into expected sections: Print, TV, Taglines, Strategy and Ideas, Integrated, and so on. There is detailed coverage of different types of strategy, a series of `tools' to help generate ideas, and lots and lots of examples - including some (often very good) from Barry's own students. The author makes some very good distinctions. For example, many advertising teachers insist that students avoid puns. Barry draws the distinction between various types of headline that use bad puns and other headlines - many of them classic ads - that use strong double-meanings. As I think George Felton says in his great book (Advertising: Concept and Copy), "It's got to cut both ways" - in other words, both meanings need to work. Anyway, it's a worthwhile discussion.

Barry clearly has a lot of experience both in agencies and in teaching. Sometimes he over-explains the point, but I actually don't mind this because at least it means it's well understood.

There's a lot that you'd find in other good advertising books, like "Hey Whipple" and "Advertising: Concept and Copy" but there's enough new material to make it worth adding to your library. I've been getting an enormous amount from it already.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars So much to learn December 27, 2012
By Esther
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This the the advertising bible. If all advertising followed what is written in this book, it would be a better place with less "IN YOUR FACE" advertising. It would create a world of more thought provoking and relationship based branding influence.

It reminds you that advertising starts at the concept and is an art that you have to slowly build and perfect.
Thank you Pete, I see my job in a different light.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Got me through portfolio school April 2, 2013
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Stop thinking of stupid ideas and buy this book. If you want to come up with amazing mind blowing ideas that make your teachers head spin, crack open this book and think think think!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read March 24, 2013
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love it! I have been a graphic designer for five years now and exploring some art direction approaches, This book has it all!
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5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST FOR STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS ALIKE February 20, 2013
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this as required reading for one of my courses at USC MCM program. After 8+ years in the business( account planning, account management) , this book helps summarize many experiences and gives fresh perspectives on our work and how we do it.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Uses February 15, 2013
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As an ad n00b, I found this book incredibly informative. Strategy and concepting are thoroughly discussed. Explains the creative process well.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book! November 27, 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a fabulous book for anyone into marketing or ad design. I would say it is the number one go do source on a daily basis!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Ideas - where the money's at September 17, 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been looking for a book about the proper way to collect and process ideas and form them into functioning campaigns for a while now. There are tons of books about the process of selling and the process of design and creating but this book covers what you want to know about the steps before all of that. Thinking about what the client wants and the best ways to approach those situations. Great book - huge fan!
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