Amazon.com: The Secret Sales Pitch: An Overview of Subliminal Advertising (9780974264004): August Bullock: Books

Buy New

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
or
Amazon Prime Free Trial required. Sign up when you check out. Learn More
Buy Used
Used - Acceptable See details
$10.62 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
The Secret Sales Pitch: An Overview of Subliminal Advertising
 
 
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

The Secret Sales Pitch: An Overview of Subliminal Advertising [Paperback]

August Bullock (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

Price: $19.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Only 9 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
Want it delivered Monday, February 27? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Book Description

January 2004
-A fascinating look at how media manipulates the mind; -A handbook for marketing, psychology, sociology, and related classes; -A "how to manual" for artists, advertisers, and business people interested in subliminal techniques.

The Secret Sales Pitch argues that, since the 1950s, optical illusions have been secretly embedded in mass media in order to manipulate the public unconsciously. These subliminal images are extremely provocative, and involve nightmarish monsters as well as many forms of erotica. In addition, pictures with subliminal meanings understood only on an unconscious level have secretly aroused viewers’ innermost fears and fantasies.

The author is an attorney who presents the evidence of subliminal advertising as though he were addressing a jury. Although the claims on the cover may initially seem outlandish, the case that is presented is credible and disturbing. The examples that are provided are startling, and intelligently correlated to studies gleaned from psychological journals. The history of subliminal persuasion, from Vance Packard to the present, is thoughtfully reviewed. N.F. Dixon, a respected psychologist and the author of a treatise on subliminal perception, has endorsed Bullock’s work and commented that his interpretations are "convincing and ingenious."

The back cover promises "You will never watch a commercial, make a sales presentation, or look in the mirror the same way again." Even skeptical readers will not be disappointed.


Frequently Bought Together

The Secret Sales Pitch: An Overview of Subliminal Advertising + Subliminal Persuasion: Influence & Marketing Secrets They Don't Want You To Know + The Hidden Persuaders
Price For All Three: $46.30

Show availability and shipping details

Buy the selected items together
  • In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Subliminal Persuasion: Influence & Marketing Secrets They Don't Want You To Know $16.63

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • The Hidden Persuaders $9.72

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details



Editorial Reviews

Review

"...A fresh and engaging read...Highly recommended." -- CHOICE Magazine (American Library Association)

"...many of his illustrations convince beyond a doubt... Perhaps this book will prompt advertising insiders to come forward..." -- Foreward Magazine May, 2004

"...strongly recommended for all elements of the advertising community, as well as social activists concerned with media manipulation..." -- Midwest Book Review

"...weirdly addictive." (Anneli Rufus) -- East Bay Express May 2004

"Bullock's prove-it-to-the-jury approach to explaining the psychology of subliminals presents a powerful case to those who may be skeptical..." -- Santa Cruz Good Times

"Bullocks show is startling.... The overall impact is convincing." -- Santa Rosa Press Democrat

From the Publisher

136 vivid FULL COLOR illustrations. The text and the examples are woven together in a logical manner.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Norwich Pub (January 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0974264008
  • ISBN-13: 978-0974264004
  • Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

12 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read, something you won't forget in a hurry.., March 21, 2005
By 
S. Ashley (Bournemouth, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Secret Sales Pitch: An Overview of Subliminal Advertising (Paperback)
I'm a graphic designer, with a special interest in the power of subliminal advertising. Having recently compiled a written paper on this subject, Bullock's 'The Secret Sales Pitch' was immensely helpful. Bullock has mananged to summarise complex theory into easy-to-read chapters, that would be perfect for those studying the subject or would be interested in learning about this facinating area.

Subliminal examples are clearly identified and supported with full colour images, making points easily recognisable to the reader. Bullock's style of writing is accurate yet humorous at times, personalising his own experiences. He has also included possible experiments that the reader can test out for themselves. I did just that, and the results were incredibly revealing.

If you thought you understood the hidden arts of subliminal persuasion, this book is bound to teach you something new and will ultimately broaden your perceptions of advertising in today's society. A must-have in anyone's book collection.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Psychology, marketing, and manipulation, July 20, 2004
This review is from: The Secret Sales Pitch: An Overview of Subliminal Advertising (Paperback)
Subliminal messages in advertising - many people claim they exist, most advertisers claim they do not. In "The Secret Sales Pitch" author August Bullock presents a strong case not only for the existence of subliminal influences in marketing but also for their effectiveness. Some of the examples in the book are very obvious once they are pointed out and there is no question that they exist, others seem to be a bit of a stretch. Prepare to be both surprised and at times appalled at the things advertisers put in their marketing pieces.

It is important to point out that some of the subliminal examples could also be an accident of light and photography. As an avid photographer myself I have had some photos end up with what would appear to be subliminal messages and images entirely by accident. Some of them were less of a stretch than some of the examples in this book. This is not to say that his examples are not created on purpose as part of a subliminal plan. Many of them are unquestionable created for this purpose. There is also no question that psychology plays a very important role in advertising. One thing that differentiates this book form similar ones is that Mr. Bullock not only examines the subliminal items hidden in the picture but also explains the psychology behind other parts of the advertising piece. "The Secret Sales Pitch" is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in marketing and the use of subliminal messages in advertising.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Persuasive, April 6, 2009
This review is from: The Secret Sales Pitch: An Overview of Subliminal Advertising (Paperback)
I was skeptical going into this book. I had read about subliminal advertising on the internet. It seemed logical the idea that companies would use subtle manipulation techniques to their monetary advantage if they were able to do so. But I questioned whether it was really possible to manipulate emotion and desire without the person being aware of it.

The first few chapters of this book, before Bullock gets to the examples, are a powerful, persuasive argument that lays out the scientific facts of how and why subliminal manipulation can be done. The subconscious takes in more information than the conscious mind is aware of. Every bit of the theory behind subliminal advertising that Bullock expounds is based on real experimental data. Cognitive scientists have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that people are influenced in all sorts of ways they are not consciously aware of.

The power to use this knowledge as a tool for manipulating people is very great. It blows my mind the blase attitude people have about being totally saturated in advertising since childhood. People think it doesn't affect them. This kind of go-with-the-flow attitude is exactly what advertising is there to engender.

One of the many good points the book makes, is the fact that there isn't even really a harsh dividing line between subliminal advertising and non-subliminal. It's not controversial that beer commercials use sex in them. Well what is that other than an attempt to connect in your mind alcohol and sex? You don't have to look too closely to see that not just alcohol, but EVERYTHING is sold by connecting it to sex. Obviously because sex is the most powerful human drive. Now if I said to you "buying this shirt is like having sex" you would say "You're crazy" but through the clever use of images I could connect them in your mind whether you like it or not. In a sense all advertising is subliminal because it creates associations between the product/service and certain things: sex, satiety, comfort, popularity, acceptance, fear, death, guilt, shame. Whatever works. These connections are made automatically by your brain when it sees two things connected in images and words. The advertiser doesn't approach you like an adult and make a reasoned argument that this lipstick and sexual acceptance, or that cigarette and fear of death, should be connected. It is done subliminally without the person's consent or knowledge.

So all advertising is more or less subliminal. Bullock's examples of hidden penises and corpses and crossdressers and so on, just go one step further. Since reading this book, I have personally located many examples of subliminal penises in real advertisements, including a big one in Jennifer Aniston's neck on the cover of Vogue magazine. The knowledge in this book will, if not protect you from those who would manipulate your subconscious mind for their own gain, at least give you the tools to begin to see through their tricks. Considering advertisements constitute the environment for anyone growing up in this era, the value and usefulness of this book cannot be overemphasized.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews










Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
In the 1950s the United States had a problem. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
subliminal embeds, using subliminal techniques, subliminal devices, subliminal content, subliminal ads, ambiguity principle, subliminal advertising, drive activation, psychoanalytic unconscious, subliminal stimulus, subliminal manipulation, subliminal meaning, way that the models, flash frames, subliminal stimulation, backwards speech, filter mechanism, subliminal presentation, subliminal perception, using subliminals, subliminal stimuli, motivational research, skin conductance levels, soft pack, subliminal effect
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jameson Irish, New York, Marlboro Lights, Spice Islands, Subliminal Seduction, United States, Miss Lewis, The Exorcist, Eve Black, Eve White, World War, In-N-Out Burger, James Vicary, Lazy Boy, Darth Vader, Leith Klauber, New Jersey, San Francisco Chronicle, Subliminal Projection Corporation, Thank God, Virginia Slims, World Trade Center
New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:





Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums





Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject