Customer Reviews

Funny Business: Moguls, Mobsters, Megastars, and the Mad, Mad World of the Ad Game

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Allen Rosenshine has managed to present in a very humorous and insightful way the inner workings of the advertising industry. I had difficulty putting the book down and found myself laughing out loud at his many unusual experiences in his dealings with his clients and high profile list of stars and sports figures. It's a must read

Mr. Rosenshine writes a witty, endearing host of stories about the most misunderstood industry in business: the ad biz. You don't have to understand the ins and outs of the ad agency business to enjoy this book. All you need is a keen sense of the ridiculous and an enjoyment of good story-telling. He writes for all of us with short attention spans and each story is short and punchy. Don't read this book on a plane because some of the stories will have you laughing out loud and you will look like a lunatic.

Funny Business: Moguls, Mobsters, Megastars, and the Mad, Mad World of the Ad Game is an uproarious anthology of stranger-than-fiction anecdotes from life in the creative world of the advertising business. Author Allen Rosenshine, who worked his way up to CEO of a major advertising corporation, tells of gently breaking bad news to mobsters, schmoozing with stars, warding off attempts to take him for a sucker, and many more madcap adventures. Funny Business is not a "how-to" book for would-be advertisers in the traditional sense; it's a slice-of-life with extra irony on top from an insider's point of view. An incredibly entertaining memoir from cover to cover, Funny Business is sure to delight readers of all walks of life with their recommended daily allowance of wit, wisdom, and mirthful laughter!

Funny Business: Moguls, Mobsters, Megastars and the Mad, Mad World of the Ad Game is a collection of 68 personal anecdotes from Allen Rosenshine, chairman emeritus of BBDO Worldwide, a renowned ad agency. Since Rosenshine spent over four decades with BBDO, there are plenty of stories to relate. Many involve famous and respected individuals: politicians, actors, and sports icons.

The problem with Funny Business is that many of the incidents would likely be amusing if the reader knew the participants on a personal level, but as an outside observer, the stories are more likely viewed as an inside joke that we're not quite privy to. A glance at the raving reviews on the back cover reveals that most of the promoters were either players in Rosenshine's stories or had direct relations with him in some way, to reiterate this point. Rosenshine does his best to introduce us to the characters, but he just falls short of the writer's flair that makes a character as familiar to the reader as family. Also, most of the anecdotes are more ironic than funny: stories that make you shake your head in amazement rather than double up in laughter. This applies to the stories featuring more prominent figures the public would recognize. Perhaps if Rosenshine meant "funny" to mean "odd" or "quirky" rather than "amusing," the title would be more appropriate, but it doesn't appear that was his intention.

Overall, the stories are interesting little tidbits that serve to reinforce public assumptions about the advertising industry. They just lack the draw that keeps the reader eagerly turning pages for the next engagement. After a time, it begins to feel more like required reading than recreational reading. I think the author thought he was providing the reader with a privileged view into a career path which most people aren't familiar with. Today's consumer is adept at seeing through advertising and analyzing the intentions, and already has preconceived notions about the advertising industry that are, for the most part, right on target.

Reviewed by Stephanie Rollins for Reader Views (7/07)


Rosenshine worked his way up to the executive level of BBDO, an advertising firm. Through his corporate climb, he experienced many funny, awkward, and culture-clashing moments. "Funny Business" describes these moments.

Rosenshine divided "Funny Business" into small, easy-to-read chapters. Each chapter is short. They are like mini-stories. This is a perfect "bathroom book." For the person who has it all, this book will make a great gift. Anyone who has their own business, or who is climbing the corporate ladder, will appreciate the humor.

From the time his daughter was trying to hide the raw eel, so she did not have to eat it or insult her Asian hosts, to the time his wife may have ordered a diet Coke in front of the Pepsi CEO, you will feel his awkwardness. Rosenshine explains that the advertising business is a business in which right-brained people have to work with left-brained people. This inevitably causes conflicts and confusion. Reading about the differences in the creative people's office behavior and the behavior of the "suits" was hilarious.

Roshenshine writes as an ad person should--short, sweet, and funny. Live vicariously through the ad executive. Have a chuckle at his expense. Put "Funny Business" on your Christmas list. It is better than giving your boss a wacky tie.

Received book free of charge.

I loved this book. It's a rollercoaster ride of the wacky world of advertising told by a master. You don't have to be in "the business" to enjoy every word. The table of contents alone is worth the price of the book -- no kidding.