How Not to Hate Advertising: A Creative’s Guide to a Long and (Dare I Say) Happy Career in a Remarkably Silly Industry

Written by an award-winning Chief Creative Officer (CCO) and featuring insights from agency and freelance advertising pros, this book is the creative professionals’ guidebook, self-help book, and halftime speech/pep talk book all wrapped up in one. It’s written for working creatives to help them sustain and succeed in an industry that has plenty to hate about it.

This is not a ＂how to break into the business＂ book, and it doesn’t aim to explain the creative process and how to come up with ideas. Instead, it accepts and expects that the reader has already done the hard part of breaking in and (hopefully) getting some work produced that they’re proud of - it’s the ＂what’s next＂ to avoid burnout, filled with practical tips, sage advice, and real stories from an array of people who have definitely hated advertising at some point - but stuck with it anyway.

A sort of treasure map that creatives can use to guide them through different stages of their career, this book is pure gold for advertising professionals and students who want to thrive in their chosen industry while taking care of their whole selves, now and into the future.

Nick Sonderup is an award-winning creative leader with 23+ years of experience. His work has been recognized by nearly every industry awards show, including Cannes Lions, ANDYs, One Show, Clio, Effies and the ADC. His work for General Electric earned an Emmy nomination and his film 100 Bands in 100 Days was a Grand Jury award nominee at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival. Nick is currently co-Chief Creative Officer at StrawberryFrog, responsible for leadership across multiple accounts, the creative department, and the StrawberryFrog brand. Over the years, Nick has lent his expertise to a broad range of brands, including MTV, ESPN, American Express, MINI, AT&T, Nike, Anheuser-Busch InBev, State Farm, Midea, Northwell Health, and more. He also created powerful, soulful work at many of the industry’s most celebrated creative agencies, like Wieden + Kennedy, BBDO, Ogilvy, and Translation, after starting his career at MTV. Outside of agency life, Nick has worked as an adjunct professor teaching copywriting.