Delusions of Brandeur is an antidote to the insanity that now pervades the marketing industry.
(Amazon UK)
(Amazon UK)
This book is the opposite of those. And not just because it won’t be anywhere near as popular.
Delusions of Brandeur is an antidote to the insanity that now pervades the marketing industry. A collection of articles, satirical posts and assorted miscellany, it is a no-holds-barred commentary on modern marketing, advertising and business.
Mmm snake oil
Is it an invaluable guide that will guarantee your marketing success? No.
But is it exhaustively researched and full of evidence? Also no.
So what the hell is in it for you, then?
A fair amount of good sense, some laughs, and plenty of handy snippets that you can use at your next meeting with fans of Gary V and Simon Sinek.
⭐️ Delusions of Brandeur is an International Best Seller ⭐️
What good folk have said about it:
Dave Trott, Author and Advertising Legend
“I love this book. Anything I spend my time on, I either have to learn something or be entertained, with this book I get both - along with great art direction. The only problem is that the people it takes the piss out of won’t know how funny it is. But that’s okay, they’ll buy it thinking it’s a genuine ‘How to’ guide.”
Vikki Ross, Copy Chief
“Is it a guide book for our industry? Or is it a good laugh at our industry? It’s both. It’s Ryan at his most erudite and entertaining. And it’s Gasp at their most gorgeous. Get it to get ahead - or to get the hell out of the mess we’ve made of marketing, branding and advertising.”
Bob Hoffman, Author and Advertising Legend
“Wallman slips into his Raging Bull costume and stampedes through the marketing industry smashing every bit of phony china in sight. What wonderful fun!”
Clare Barry, Copywriter and Queen of Sass
“Marketing as we know it is dead. It’s just been completely annihilated by Ryan Wallman. Somewhere between a comedy roast and a how-not-to guide, this book is an utter goldmine for the beginners, side-splitting for the seasoned, and utterly baffling for the ‘experts’. Satire so sharp it will slice you – and you’ll say thank you.”
Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman at Ogilvy UK, TED Global speaker, Author
“A former doctor takes a scalpel to the advertising industry. Not only is this a marvellous book - but no one but Dr. Wallman could have written it.”
Tom Roach, Head of Effectiveness at adam&eveDDB
“As with all really good satire, smuggled inside every one of Wallman’s lovingly-crafted jokes is a serious message: that too many marketers reject proven principles for unproven pseudo-science, plain English for pretentious marketing jargon, the tried and tested for the shiny and new.”
Ryan Wallman is Creative Director and Head of Copy at Wellmark, a Melbourne-based creative agency that specialises in healthcare. In his former life, he was a doctor and worked for several years in psychiatry – so he knows plenty about delusions.
Ryan is an internationally acclaimed copywriter and marketing commentator. He has written for numerous industry publications, including Marketing Week, the Australian Financial Review and The Economic Times. He is also a co-author of the bestselling book ‘Eat Your Greens: Fact-Based Thinking to Improve Your Brand’s Health’.
Something of a contrarian, Ryan is known for his no-nonsense approach to marketing, and has twice been listed in Business Insider’s ‘Best 30 People in Advertising to Follow on Twitter’.
Along with his medical degree, Ryan has a Master of Marketing from Melbourne Business School and a Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing. He has vowed to never study again.
Listen to Ryan discuss Delusions of Brandeur (and more) with: Dave Wakeman on The Business of Fun Podcast, Adam Pierno's The Strategy Inside Everything podcast and Mark Pollard's Sweathead podcast. Enjoy the brilliant Stephen Waddington's write-up on the book.
Better yet, see Ryan speak at ZEE Melt, Mumbai: on 24th-25th April, 2020
Giles is co-founder of Gasp, the award-winning marketing agency that's been "fearless and inventive" (The Drum) and hell-bent on making its clients more profitable for 10 years.
A student (and fan) of Professor Mark Ritson, Giles believes in "proper (timeless) Marketing"; tactics change people don't. And its vital role in the Boardroom. He rants about this and more, alongside esteemed guests, on the hugely popular UK Top 5 podcast, Call to Action. Launched in February 2019, he's subsequently hosted and interviewed some of the greatest industry minds.
Giles recently collaborated with internationally acclaimed copywriter, Ryan Wallman (Dr Draper), to write, design and publish the bestseller, Delusions of Brandeur; a no-holds-barred commentary on modern marketing and business. Industry legend Dave Trott remarked, "I love this book. Anything I spend my time on, I either have to learn something or be entertained, with this book I get both - along with great art direction.
Even more recently, in April 2020, Giles launched the charitable initiative ISOLATED Talks. It’s a rallying call across the lockdown divide for the advertising industry to unite and share ideas that help others whilst appealing for donations to the Samaritans; a charity under increasing pressure due to enforced isolation caused by the Coronavirus crisis. Hear the story behind ISOLATED Talks, when Giles spoke to the brilliant Rob Schwartz on Disruptor Series.
Listen to Giles talk to northern (copywriting) star Glenn Fisher on his wonderful All Good Copy podcast, designer turned strategist Stef Hamerlinck's Let's Talk Branding podcast and Tim Elliott on The RE of Marketing podcast.
See Giles speak at The Art of The Brief on 19th March 2020 and The B2B Marketing Expo 2020 on 25th March 2020.
Book Giles to speakWatch Giles and Ryan's entertaining talk, "Don't Be Brave. Be Right"
ADDITIONAL CREDITS
Senior Designer
Senior Designer
Illustrator
Museum-quality, giclée printed posters on 5.6 oz/y² (192 g/m²) thick and durable matte paper.