212: Advertising for Skeptics with Bob Hoffman

During this 212th episode of “Marketing Today,” host Alan Hart interviews Bob Hoffman, returning guest and author of the new book, Advertising for Skeptics.On the show today, we talk about the main ideas that inspired Hoffman to write Advertising for Skeptics and the delusions he believes the marketing and advertising industries are under. We laugh a lot, and maybe we'll inspire you to get a cocktail after you're done listening.Hoffman tells us how Advertising for Skeptics came out of his musings on the industry. Hoffman says, “My idea is that we should be skeptical of the things that we accept as common wisdom in the advertising and marketing business, and we should question them.” Then he goes on to talk about the troubling lack of accumulated knowledge in advertising. He says, "If advertising is less effective now than it was fifty years ago, where's the arrow of progress?" He then reluctantly offers advice to people in advertising and marketing cautioning, “The best advice I can give is to be careful.” We then explore various hot topics in marketing today. This discussion with Hoffman will invite you to consider what you think you know about advertising.Highlights from this week's “Marketing Today”: Bob describes Advertising for Skeptics. 02:47Bob's mission in writing his latest book. 04:19The lack of accumulated knowledge in advertising. 05:54What we measure today in advertising. 12:13Bob's advice to people in marketing and advertising. 13:21Bob's thoughts on GDPR and why enforcement seems impossible. 16:46Comparing Byron Sharp and Mark Ritson. 20:20COVID-19 advertising. 22:52Launching a book during a global pandemic. 24:07How Bob fills his time during social distancing. 25:28The most impactful purchase he has made in the last 6-12 months of $100 or less. 28:42Bob's go-to cocktail during a pandemic. 30:29  Become a member today and listen ad-free, visit https://plus.acast.com/s/marketingtoday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.