The 12 Marketing Books of Christmas

The holidays–a good time for relaxation, reset, and…reading! We asked renowned marketer Musa Tariq, who recently started a Marketing Book Club during the pandemic to bring people together, for his take on must-read books for today’s marketers. Whether it's for your favorite marketer looking to start their own marketing book club or a gift recipient who is simply looking for a good read, scroll down to find the perfect book this holiday season. Hot chocolate and warm fuzzy socks not included. For the Marketer Who Loves ‘A-Ha’ Moments Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind By Al Ries and Jack Trout If your marketer loved the movie Inception, then they will most likely love the industry’s book version Positioning by Al Ries and Jack Trout. The book is described as “a revolutionary approach to creating a ‘position’ in a prospective customer's mind-one that reflects a company's own strengths and weaknesses as well as those of its competitors.” Authors Al Ries and Jack Trout provide case studies and key analyses of iconic brands that became household names simply through strategic “positioning.” GoodReads Score: 4.0 Available for purchase at: Amazon & Indiebound For the CMO Who Loves Detailed Creative Briefs Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative By Sir Ken Robinson Don’t be fooled by the title–this book is for the leaders who want to understand how creativity comes about vs. discovering how to be more creative (there is even a chapter called the History of Creativity). Author Sir Ken Robinson, also known for some of his popular TED Talks on said topic, discusses how the role of creativity is shaped in today’s school system and how schools, businesses and communities can work together to summon creativity. One GoodReads reviewer recommends this book for “parents, teachers, evaluators, decision makers, leaders, managers, children and just about anyone who can make a change and difference into the lives of others.” GoodReads Score: 3.93 Available for purchase at: Amazon & Indiebound For the Marketer Who Loves Breaking News Savvy: Navigating Fake Companies, Fake Leaders and Fake News in the Post-Trust Era By Shiv Singh 2020 will always be remembered as the year Fake News (not us!) was finally addressed with the implementation of proper regulations. But what’s more interesting, and what Savvy dives into, is how we “fall” for the alternative facts. Pulling examples from today’s political and business headlines, Savvy is a good read for the marketers who oversee brand communications and want to understand consumers’ media consumption habits from a psychological and business perspective. GoodReads Score: 4.14 Available for purchase at: Amazon & Indiebound For the Marketer Who Needs to See (Evidence) to Believe How Brands Grow: What Marketers Don’t Know By Byron Sharp Deemed as a “marketing mythbuster” of a book, How Brands Grow challenges a lot of established marketing principles such as brand loyalty, target audiences, price promotions, etc. Going as far to say that “loyalty programs are ineffective,” Sharp presents many of these examples with evidence-based data. Many recommend this book for marketing professionals who are looking for a refresher on marketing principles or for those who simply love to curl up with an evidence-based read. GoodReads Score: 4.19 Available for purchase at: Amazon & Indiebound For the CMO Who Prioritizes Company Culture Delivering Happiness By Tony Hsieh Whether you agree with his principles or not, Tony Hsieh’s Delivering Happiness is worth a read. Hsieh’s book is great for marketers who are looking to architect brand purpose from the inside out or for those who simply want to learn more about the beginnings of a successful e-commerce startup that took the retail industry by storm (Zappos was later sold for an estimated $1.2 billion). If you don’t fit either criteria, we promise you will at least be inspired and entertained by Hsieh’s career path full of zigzags (i.e.: running a pizza business) and the different lessons he learned throughout his life. GoodReads Score: 4.01 Available for purchase at: Amazon & Indiebound For the CMO Who Wants to Take on Goliath Eating The Big Fish: How Challenger Brands Can Compete Against Brand Leaders By Adam Morgan Adam Morgan is here to challenge you. Eating the Big Fish takes a close look at the insights, strategies, and behaviors of dozens of successful challenger brands that took on “the big fish.” Whether you’re looking to start your own business or simply looking to elevate your brand to the highest level, Morgan is here to guide you on “why staying #1 now means, in fact, thinking and behaving like a #2.” GoodReads Score: 3.97 Available for purchase at: Amazon & Indiebound For the CMO Who Loves Sports Analogies The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership by Bill Walsh, Steve Jamison, Craig Walsh This is “teamwork makes the dream work” on another level. Bill Walsh is credited with (and rightfully so) transforming the San Francisco 49ers into a legendary, Super Bowl-winning franchise. In the process, Walsh also transformed the organization on the inside through exemplary leadership and perseverance. This is a great read for marketers looking for leadership advice and inspiration without all the corporate jargon. GoodReads Score: 4.25 Available for purchase at: Amazon & Indiebound For the Marketer Who Loves Catchy Headlines Junior: Writing Your Way Ahead In Advertising By Thomas Kemeny This is the book that won’t quit (on our Adweek Book Recommendation Twitter Threads). A popular read amongst the Marketing Community, Junior is a great read for senior marketers who want a refresh on copywriting AND for junior creatives just starting out. Based on reviews, this book will most likely be always within your reach for some good copywriting inspiration. For more insight, check out Griner's enlightening sit-down with the author, Thomas Kemeny. GoodReads Score: 4.21 Available for purchase at: Amazon & Indiebound For the Marketer Who Is BFFs With the CIO Truth, Lies, and Advertising By Jon Steel Although the title points to account planners, Steel’s Truth, Lies, and Advertising is a great read for marketers overall who are looking to abolish silos within the organization and want to work hand in hand with strategy and creative teams to truly reach the consumer. Another big plus–the book discusses case studies for iconic campaigns, including a whole chapter dedicated to the infamous “Got Milk?” campaign. GoodReads Score: 4.01 Available for purchase at: Amazon & Indiebound For the CMO Who Pours Over Consumer Insights Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't By Jim Collins Collins asks one simple question– “can a good company become a great company, and if so, how?” His findings are based on a five-year research project comparing companies who achieved this success...and those that didn’t. Although some of the brands mentioned are a bit dated, the core of the book is focused on strong leadership traits, the importance of talent selection, and the fundamentals of strategy development. GoodReads Score: 4.11 Available for purchase at: Amazon and Indiebound For the Marketer Who Wants to Friend Request Their Consumers The Thank You Economy By Gary Vaynerchuk Don’t mistake this for a guide to social media by the “Social Media King” himself but rather read this as a guide on how to connect with your consumers who are on social media. Vaynerchuck discusses how social media platforms are not social media platforms – they are avenues for brands to truly connect with their audiences by listening and engaging in an impactful, authentic way. A good read for those who want to learn more about the “thank you economy” that is now upon us or for those who simply love good, blunt Gary Vee insights. Goodreads Score: 3.86 Available for purchase at: Amazon & Indiebound For the Marketer Eyeing the Corner Office Rise: 3 Practical Steps for Advancing Your Career, Standing Out as a Leader, and Liking Your Life By Patty Azzarello No fluff here–Patty Azzarello calls it how it is. In Rise, Azzarello provides a straightforward, easy read about leadership and how to advance your career while still being true to your strengths. The book is mainly based on the author's rise to success in Corporate America but many readers find the book helpful in terms of learning exactly what it takes to be successful in work and in life. No wonder Adrian Parker, Global VP of Marketing at Patrón Tequila, bought 30+ copies for his friends and peers. Goodreads Score: 4.43 Available for purchase at: Amazon & Indiebound

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The 12 Marketing Books of Christmas

For the Marketer Who Loves ‘A-Ha’ Moments

Luz Corona

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