Rating: 
Summary: A magical, enlightening, and thought provoking book!
Review: An enlightening thought provoking approach to advertising is found between the covers of this spell-book. It's creative and insightful throughout, and reaches beyond the "hard numbers" that often seem to dominate media buying, advertising and marketing campaigns, and news headlines. Roy pushes aside statistics and realizes that there are people just like you and me behind the numbers. An advertising campaign is a link in a chain, only one part of the sales process. This book focuses both on creating a successful advertising campaign, as well as the other links in the chain including the creation of a pleasurable shopping experience that delivers the goods or services advertised. The Wizard presents lots of anecdotal tales and advice that relate to people and real world experiences. Chances are you will be able to personally relate to many of those contained within the book. Some attention is given to advertising strategies in print, radio and television, and in what context and for what purpose they should be used. Much of "The Wizard of Ads" is a collection of feel good stories, however within each, is advice and insight into the world of sales, advertising, and people. As the author states, the reader will either love or hate the book. Ten steps to successful selling or advertising this is not, chock full of common sense approaches to reaching out and connecting with people who may become your customers it is. If you like this book, and the manner in which it is written, another fantastic, related book (written in the form of an ancient parable) focusing on the sales process, sales strategies, and types of sales people is "Selling the Wheel" by Jeff Cox.
Rating: 
Summary: Into Utopia?
Review: Are you ready to discard what you learned in school and discover what really motivates people? Are you willing to break out of old, constricting paradigms? Then step forward and meet a master dreamweaver. From the early pages I knew I had found a kindred spirit; hope you feel the same.
Rating:
Summary: My Marketing Bible
Review: As a small business owner and marketing instructor, I can't even begin to tell you how wonderfully refreshing and useful this and all of Roy Williams' books are. Every business owner should read and re-read Williams' books. They have honestly become my personal marketing mantra not only because the books are a fun and educational read, but also becuase they work!
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Summary: People are crazy if Roy isn't there Hero!
Review: I read some of the reviews and got real mad! Roy is the best and greatest writer today. So what if it only takes a day to read a book? a whole day is a lot more than you could write. his books are easy to read and mean a whole lot to me. He changed my life forever. He should go into business with his ideas. Maybe we could all go learn from him.
Rating: 
Summary: Too religious & too partisan... yuck!
Review: I'm finding myself very upset that I didn't research Roy H. Williams further before reading his book. I thought I would get a non-partisan, non-religious, perspective of advertising but I received the total opposite. He is kind of creepy - you should check out his website... he runs some missionary out in Texas that caters to religious advertising fanatics. Williams sends out a "Monday Morning Memo" which I subscribed to until now, in which he said "I spent some time last week with Mark Sanford, Governor of South Carolina. I knew nothing about the man before we sat down together, but having gotten to know him, I've found myself hoping that he someday runs for president. - RHW" Sanford, obviously a Republican, is very anti-gay and very anti-abortion. Republicans and the Bush Administration are the ones firing up the FCC to crack down on those creatives trying to push edgey and non-traditional advertising! One of the reasons why Superbowl 2005 had terrible TV ads. People were too scared to do ANYTHING. You are better off reading "Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!" by Luke Sullivan. You will see my copy of "Wizard of Ads" posted on eBay even though I'm not done reading it. I don't intend to finish it.
Rating:
Summary: Like DaVinci, Aristotle & Edison - Ahead of his time...
Review: I've just read The Wizard of Ads for about the sixth time. Hey... it's been a year since the last read. The reviewers that scored this gem a single star, and who whined, "I can read it in a day", just don't get it. (I finished my sixth read in just over three hours - and my mind sees more every time.) This is a peek into what's possible in advertising and in life. The word "Wizard" has its origin in the 15th century, wisard - meaning wise. The wisdom in this book will, without doubt, lead you to Roy's subsequent Wizard of Ads releases, which I've also read several times and will read again. I have 37-years in the ad business - and I promise you this is worthy of your time and your money. Ignore the critics. As Roy says, "The price of clarity is the risk of insult." I'm pretty sure the early reviews on DaVinci, Aristotle and Edison were not univerally five stars either. Buy it, read it - then read it again. You'll give yourself a big bear-hug for doing so.
Rating:
Summary: Like DaVinci, Aristotle & Edison - Ahead of his time...
Review: I've just read The Wizard of Ads for about the sixth time. Hey... it's been a year since the last read. The reviewers that scored this gem a single star, and who whined, "I can read it in a day", just don't get it. (I finished my sixth read in just over three hours - and my mind sees more every time.) This is a peek into what's possible in advertising and in life. The word "Wizard" has its origin in the 15th century, wisard - meaning wise. The wisdom in this book will, without doubt, lead you to Roy's subsequent Wizard of Ads releases, which I've also read several times and will read again. I have 37-years in the ad business - and I promise you this is worthy of your time and your money. Ignore the critics. As Roy says, "The price of clarity is the risk of insult." I'm pretty sure the early reviews on DaVinci, Aristotle and Edison were not univerally five stars either. Buy it, read it - then read it again. You'll give yourself a big bear-hug for doing so.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary thinking for communicators
Review: In a way, the title of this book (also the nickname of the author, Roy Williams) is somewhat misleading. It suggests that only advertising mavens need read the book, but that is not so. This amazing writer/thinker has challenging insights for virtually anyone who communicates for a living, or who simply likes to communicate well. The short, one page chapters are perfect for quick reading on a regular basis. However, don't be surprised--the Wizard's writing is like Lay's potato chips...you can't eat just one. I would recommend it as a gift for anyone who communicates and wants to grow in that skill.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary thinking for communicators
Review: In a way, the title of this book (also the nickname of the author, Roy Williams) is somewhat misleading. It suggests that only advertising mavens need read the book, but that is not so. This amazing writer/thinker has challenging insights for virtually anyone who communicates for a living, or who simply likes to communicate well. The short, one page chapters are perfect for quick reading on a regular basis. However, don't be surprised--the Wizard's writing is like Lay's potato chips...you can't eat just one. I would recommend it as a gift for anyone who communicates and wants to grow in that skill.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best business books I ever read
Review: It is ironic. The publisher of this book is Bard Press. The word "Bard" has all but disappeared from today's lexicon. However, if there are any modern day bards, Roy Williams certainly is one of the best. This book is one beautiful read. For the past 26 years, I have read many volumes explaining what it takes to produce great advertising. This is the first one that spilled out the wisdom of Proverbs, the common sense of David Ogilvy, and the earthiness of John Steinbeck. If you are a serious practitioner of marketing or advertising, The Wizard of Ads needs to be a part of your library. I have purchased 25 copies to give away this coming Christmas. Roger Gallerini, Senior Partner, Account Director, J. Walter Thompson, Detroit, Mich.
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