What is the economic justification of advertising? Is it a vital energizing force in industry, or does it represent a serious waste of money and effort? The great increase in the volume of publicity in modern times is causing people to wonder what its final outcome will be, and whether it is a development to be welcomed or regarded with suspicion.

First published in 1934.

The purpose of every advertisement is to sell the thing which it advertises. Looking at the full range of the planning involved in the advertising business, Planning Advertisements first considers the initial stage, where the advertisement practitioner-advertiser relationship is paramount, before looking at the planning stages needed for all types of advertising, ranging from direct mail to hoardings.

First published in 1935.

The Business of Advertising outlines the practice of the advertising trades, some of the more important restrictions on advertising, and a few of the questions which arise in connexion with the business.

First published in 1905.

What is the economic justification of advertising? Is it a vital energizing force in industry, or does it represent a serious waste of money and effort? The great increase in the volume of publicity in modern times is causing people to wonder what its final outcome will be, and whether it is a development to be welcomed or regarded with suspicion.

First published in 1934.

The consequences of advertising on the social life of the community has been a much-discussed topic in recent years. Advertising as a means of influencing the thought and behaviour of masses of people involves the application of such fundamental aspects of psychology as attention, motivation, memory, association, suggestion, volition, and so on.

Modern advertising presents its message in a variety of forms: attracting, informing, reminding, suggesting and impelling us many times during the course of any single day. To what extent advertising influences our tastes, preferences and...

Advertising today is not only under sterner scrutiny by the various federal regulatory and judicial bodies but is also facing an ominous storm of public criticism because of certain abuses. One of the big questions troubling advertisers, agencies and media is whether advertising will be subject to increasingly stringent governmental controls or whether it will forestall such action by mature self-regulation. In Advertising at the Crossroads the author has attempted to face the issue squarely and realistically, and to point out several constructive measures that advertising must...

This work explains the various elements which go to the making of a successful advertising campaign - the planning, research and discussion - and gives some helpful information about advertising media, the creation of advertisements, about printing processes and mechanical production. It touches upon marketing and distribution and shows how these things must have a direct bearing on any well-framed advertising policy.

The work of the Advertising Agency is fully described and there is some interesting advice about overseas advertising.

Advertising Explained contains 27...

Advertising Today and Tomorrow surveys the structure and function of modern advertising (and in particular the modern advertising agency), investigates how appropriate its machinery is for modern business requirements, and suggests how, both for the good of itself and its clients, it can best equip and refine itself for the future. It is of great use to students of business, particularly of marketing, in the colleges, universities and business schools, as well as being of great help to young people seeking to make advertising their career.

First published in 1974.

Walter Taplin here presents the first fruits of his exhaustive enquiry into the causes of this massive feature of contemporary life. Advertising has deeper and more interesting sources than the mere desire of manufacturers to secure markets, or of high-pressure salesmen to secure commissions. Taplin explores the nature of human wants, examines the functions and limitations of information, and distinguishes the good from the bad in the arts of persuasion. His approach to the subject is indeed a new one, and of the greatest value to all who wish to understand one of the most powerful forces...

What does advertising do? Is it the faith of a secular society? If so, why does it inspire so little devotion? Advertising, the Uneasy Persuasion is a clear-eyed account of advertising as both business and social institution.

Instead of fuelling the moral indignation surrounding the industry, or feeding fantasies of powerful manipulators, Michael Schudson presents a clear assessment of advertising in its wider sociological and historical framework, persuasively concluding that advertising is not nearly as important, effective, or scientifically founded as either its advocates...