“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.” Dave Trott, Author and Advertising Legend.
If you’re a fan of books by people like Gary V and Simon Sinek, you should probably stop reading now. 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.
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.
“Wallman slips into his Raging Bull costume and stampedes through the marketing industry smashing every bit of phony china in sight. What wonderful fun!” Bob Hoffman, Author, Former Advertising CEO, and the original Ad Contrarian.
“Marketing leaders the world over, get your hands on this book. You may not have mine because I can’t put it down (except when weeping with laughter).” Maureen Blandford, B2B Tech CMO, Author.
“Marketing has been walking around in the emperor’s new clothes, with a big pair of shiny new AI/VR bollocks on public display, but Ryan has thankfully come along and lopped them off with his sharp satirical scythe of perceptive brilliance.” Giles Edwards, Co-Founder and Creative Director at Gasp.
“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.” Tom Roach, Head of Effectiveness at adam&eveDDB.
“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.” Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman at Ogilvy UK, TED Global speaker, Author.
“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.” Vikki Ross, Copy Chief.
“Thoroughly digestible, very insightful, loads of great tips (for people who are trapped in places where the bullshit is inescapable) and funny as fuck – cutting through the nonsense in the way that only Ryan knows how. Top work.” Dave Harland, Copywriter.
“The good Doctor slides his satirical blade between the Marketing body’s ribs using humour as laughing gas. Just wait ‘til they all come round. And it’s not as funny as they thought.” Mark Sareff, Director at Prophecy Consulting & former Chief Strategy Officer at Ogilvy Australia.
“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.” Clare Barry, Copywriter and Queen of Sass.
A Gasp Book (published by Gasp 2019)
