Freud on Madison Avenue: Motivation Research and Subliminal Advertising in America - Softcover

Samuel, Lawrence R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0812222261 ISBN 13: 9780812222265

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2013

Synopsis

Freud on Madison Avenue Freud on Madison Avenue tells the story of how and why mid-twentieth-century advertisers adopted Freudian psychology to sell products. This study follows the careers of Paul Lazarsfeld, Herta Herzog, James Vicary, Alfred Politz, Pierre Martineau, Edward Bernays, and the father of motivational research, Ernest Dichter. Full description

About this title

Review:

"This bracing tour of the psycho-cultural badlands of advertising is sure to provoke the reader's imagination. Nobody charts commercial history like Lawrence Samuel."—John F. Sherry, Jr., University of Notre Dame

"Pull up a couch. Open your mind to this incisive, intriguing and intelligent revelation of how psychological analysis transformed modern advertising."—John Bowman, Global Director of Strategic Equities, Saatchi & Saatchi

"The first-ever look at the powerful yet controversial beginnings of the consumer research industry that exists today. Brilliant, thorough, and fascinating."—Megan Kent, Founder, Brand Synchronicity

"A good book. . . . The work is insightful, well-written and is an excellent introduction to this important area of business history."—Business History

"Commercial historian Lawrence R. Samuel presents a rich, detailed, and fascinating look at the historical evolution of motivation (aka motivational) research."—Journal of Consumer Research

"If you have any interest in marketing research, advertising, or communications, this book deserves a place on your shelf."—Neal M. Burns, University of Texas at Austin

"Freud on Madison Avenue offers a valuable window into life in the United States in the 1950s, a time when consumerism was being rethought and Freud's influence was at its zenith."—American Journal of Sociology

"In Freud on Madison Avenue, Lawrence R. Samuel delves deep into the consumerist 'Mad Men' of midcentury, explaining how the subconscious mind could be imprinted for commerce, which laid the foundation for consumer insights, brand imagery, and disruptive creative ideas. A terrific read!"—John Gerzema, Chief Insights Officer, Young & Rubicam and author of The Brand Bubble

From the Author:

Lawrence R. Samuel is the founder of Culture Planning LLC and the author of several books, including Rich: The Rise and Fall of American Wealth Culture and Future: A Recent History.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0812222261
• ISBN 13: 9780812222265
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 232