The Medium is the Message: And 50 Other Ridiculous Advertising Rules (Ridiculous Design Rules)

Every single day we’re bombarded with a regular onslaught of advertising. The paper you read, the magazine you buy, the radio show you listen to: they all feature ads. There’s product placement on TV and on the silver screen. And the moment you go online you’re exposed to anything from pop-up ads to spam. And let’s not forget about the public transport that is covered in slogans, and the enormous billboards and flashy neon signs that are all there in the public domain, vying for your attention. No opportunity is wasted by the ad men to grab the attention of potential customers and entice, seduce or convince them to buy a certain product, service or idea. Not surprising then that advertising has been called the greatest art form of the 20th century, as well as the biggest evil man has ever produced. Whether or not you believe in a thing called ARTvertising or of the opinion that advertising, along with branding and marketing, is downright diabolical, you’re bound to find this book a source of inspiration. We’ve collected and researched a total of 51 rules, including “The Medium is the Message,” “Make the Logo Bigger” and that old favorite “Sex Sells.” All the great ad men and women make an appearance, sharing their thoughts and insights. The aim in making this book was not to list all the rules that a budding copywriter or marketer needs to adhere to. Nor did we want to decide which rules are indeed ridiculous and which are valuable words of wisdom. Instead consider this book a source of comfort, joy or good old fun. After all, it’s like American advertising executive Jerry Della Femina (1936) once said: “Advertising is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.”

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