“Can you suggest some books on marketing or advertising or business ethics?”

That’s what my friend asked. I realized that I didn’t have many answers for her. I made four suggestions:

Small Town Rules – Becky and Barry identify 7 rules of small towns that can guide big brands. It’s not an ethics book, it’s an ethical book. A way of thinking in a principled way. (Kindle)

Ecclesiastes – If you had unlimited time and money to explore power, sex, learning, leisure and wealth, you might well still end up where this writer did: bored. So this book undermines many advertising appeals. (“Buy this and your life will be wonderful and your problems solved”).

Buyology – A study of what happens inside the brain when faced with advertising appeals. It’s not really an ethics book, but it is insightful.

Word of Mouth Marketing – another ethical book. Andy builds a philosophy of marketing around building a good reputation so that people will be willing to talk about your product or business or organization.

I quickly became frustrated as I was trying to help my friend who works for an advertising agency. I discovered that I think a lot about having a values structure which serves as the basis for actions, but I can’t quickly point to books that I can recommend to her. I don’t have time to write one. I’m too lazy to write her a series of emails that would teach.

I could have kept doing research, but I decided that I would ask you. Many of you are more well-read in this area than I am.

So here’s the question for the weekend: What books or resources would you recommend to a person in marketing who wants a clearer understanding of the ethical concepts and challenges and opportunities? 

She’ll watch. Thank you.

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The links are affiliate links. (Okay, except for Ecclesiastes. But I’m affiliated there, too. Here’s my disclosure.