How to Succeed in Advertising When All You Have Is Talent: Today's Top Creatives Show You How (Careers for You) [Paperback]

Laurence Minsky (Author), Emily Thornton Calvo (Author)

Book Description

Series: Careers for You | Publication Date: March 1996

In this unique book, today's top advertising copywriters and art directors share their insights into how to break into and succeed in the advertising business. With sometimes conflicting advice and diverse career paths, these award-winning creatives describe how raw talent, high energy, and competitive spirit build the groundwork for an outstanding career in advertising.

In addition, How to Succeed in Advertising When All You Have Is Talent features dazzling selections from each creative's best-known campaigns, as well as some previously unseen pieces from their beginning portfolios.

A deft and delightful exploration, this book will educate and inspire pros and novices alike to produce their best work and succeed in this challenging, but rewarding profession.

Editorial Reviews

Review

How to Succeed In Advertising When All You Have Is Talent, by Minsky and Calvo, is a great collection of thoughtful interviews with some of the biggest names in the business. -- Hey Whipple, Squeeze This: A Guide to Creating Great Ads by Luke Sullivan

Caveat emptor! How to Succeed in Advertising When All you Have Is Talent won't make you creative. What it will do is give you insight into how to channel your own creative energy. Consequently, the book is very targeted and has much to offer. If you're in the business already and you're in a creative rut or professional downswing, reading how others worked through their problems will prove encouraging and might give you some new ideas. Since the backgrounds of those profiled vary from surfer to classically trained musician to school troublemaker to self-described 'mommy track,' the reader is likely to find at least one person with whom to identify. -- Agency Magazine

Each reader will find something in the lives of these thirteen accomplished writers and artists to spark their own strategy. Life was not easy for them, but they all took what come to them built their careers. A great book for the curious and motivated. -- Intern America

Fascinating interview book covering the careers of 13 ADs and CWs...How to Succeed is inexpensive for what it packs. (The) pearls of wisdom have the feel of real life, not just textbook homilies. Let the biographies of these top creatives serve as background material --context for advice that follows. As for the advice itself, from some of the most successful creatives in the business, grab it. -- Art Direction Magazine

If you're interested in advertising and clearly have talent, you'll probably pick up this book. Then you'll be hooked, trapped for hours as thirteen great ad people tell you about their experiences, ideas and creation of top campaigns. I once again became an eager and willing student. I also couldn't put down this fascinating book. -- Communication Arts

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Vgm Career Horizons (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844234966
• ISBN-13: 978-0844234960
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,927,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for those going into an advertising career, April 17, 2004

By 

Thomas Kemeny (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Succeed in Advertising When All You Have Is Talent: Today's Top Creatives Show You How (Careers for You) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book. I've read it at least 5 times. It gives an excellent cross section of creative people in advertising. You get to see for yourself what these people have in common, and how they differ. It is like having the greats of advertising giving you a pep talk. I highly recommend it :).

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for the advertising newcomers..., June 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Succeed in Advertising When All You Have Is Talent: Today's Top Creatives Show You How (Careers for You) (Paperback)

This is a very good book. After seeing the reviews regarding this book in the hardbound version, I will agree that this is very helpfull for those seeking a career in advertising.