Video Book Review – King of Madison Avenue and More

February 15, 2009 · Comments

This week, I review three books. I pop a few bubbles with The Brand Bubble by Gerzema and Lebar (the book’s okay, but it didn’t exactly set me on fire). I learn how to Ask Without Fear with the help of friend Marc Pitman (this is a book on fundraising), and lastly, I meet The King of Madison Avenue, David Ogilvy, through the eyes of Kenneth Roman.

Of the books, I felt The King of Madison Avenue was the must-have, but there are some valuable bits in all three. Here’s a quick video review:

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  • Maria Tamis
    "The King of Madison Avenue" is a fascinating book about a fascinating character.It is best for two kinds of people: 1)Those in business;2) everyone else. I have always known the name,but never knew the interesting story and character behind the name.Ken Roman tells that story in wonderful and entertaining fashion.

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  • Hi Chris - I appreciate that you liked "The King of Madison Avenue", but you didn't actually give us a reason why.
  • Good morning Chris.

    Just want to comment on the beauty of this video with the black background and black shirt. Just beautiful. Where is your light source and what kind of light did you have in the room? Also what kind of camera did you you? VERY well done.

    I suggest you do all of your vids this way - as your signature. :)

    Sincerely yours in parenting success,
    Debra Sale Wendler
    http://www.adhdparentingtips.com
    Specialized parenting for kids who need a little bit more to behave
  • I used to own a retail store and I would make our newspaper ads. Then I picked up a book called "Ogilvy on Advertising" and it just blew me away. It also helped me blow away samestore sales. He is definitely the King, like Drucker is the King of management. This book is timeless and I highly recommend for anyone doing any kind of marketing.
    On a side note, that metaphor you have about the "meter" I think that's one of the things that makes Twitter addictive. Those numbers of followers. I know Pogue poo pooed that feature, but I think without it Twitter wouldn't be half the fun. It's just plain fun to try to get more followers. I know its heresy to say that around the Scobles of the world, but what's wrong with a little fun!
  • Now I'm watching your conference videos AND your book reviews.... but really, it's only because I want to catch all those wonderful little kernels and inferences of wisdom that spew forth. Curious about your thoughts on Og Mandino's "The Greatest Salesman in the World - Part II." Maybe I'll get them when I find you passing out books or something at a conference.
  • Chris,

    Thanks for your reviews. I love your videos. They do feel like you are sitting at my kitchen table as someone said earlier. (I see your son completely healthy and back to his normal self. It is so hard to have a sick little one.)

    What is the best book you have read on branding? I have been working with clients for almost 20 years. All my clients come to me by referral from other clients. Now I am taking my work to the public. It feels strange to talk about myself and my work, something that I have never done before. I want to reach a larger audience. My clients all say that I need to let the world in on what I am doing. It seems that my number one issue is how to differentiate myself from all the other people who coach, mentor, consult, etc. What I do is quite unique, but how to put it in words has me stumped.

    I look forward to your recommendation.

    Thanks. I love your blog. It is the only one I read regularly.
  • Chris Brogan
    I give away most all the books I review. Meet me at a conference soon. I travel with an armload of books to give away. :)
  • Chris,

    Great video review and yes, your it was helpful. I will be adding those to my list of future reads thanks to you.

    Ripple On!!!

    Steve
  • Might check out 1 or 2 of them. You should figure out how to give one away in a contest ;) Just a thought.
    @bookerx3
  • I met David once... he was old and crabby by then, but still an intellectual presence. Definitely going to pick that one up.

    Presented my own thoughts on branding and social media last week at Ignite, here if you're interested.
  • Hey Chris,

    That was the first video "post" I've ever taken the time to view. I have to say that I didn't expect it to have the impact it did. The video made me feel like you were at my kitchen table having a chat. It personalized the experience much more than I thought possible.

    I am kind of inspired to look at adding this format as part of my toolbelt over at Tumblemoose. Yikes. Yet another project.

    Cheers

    George
  • Chris Brogan
    That's my little guy with his pneumonia. I had to record it 4 times because he kept breaking in to moan a bit. Poor guy.
  • It's always revealing to see what books a person is reading, and even better to get their take on them. My favorite part of the video review was hearing what sounds like a little one in the background. It personalized the experience. Thanks for sharing!
  • Seth Simonds
    Do you think Pitman's book might also be of value to those in the for-profit sector?

    It would seem that asking people to give money to a cause is not so different from asking people to give money for a service or product. On one side, you have the charity telling you that they'll give you a t-shirt if you donate more than $25 to the cause. On the other side, you have the t-shirt company promising to give %15 of profits (from selling you a t-shirt) to charity.

    The (Red) campaign is an example of influencing buyers to choose a specific product because of the associated charity. The idea isn't to choose a red Nano over a blue one because of the campaign, but to choose the red Nano over a Zune, correct?

    I'd be interested in your thoughts.
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