Rating: 4 stars

In Survive to Thrive, Philip Geier, Jr. isn’t just waxing poetic over an advertising career that spanned more than four decades; he’s giving an important history lesson. Filled with sound advice, tales from the trenches and lessons learned, Geier tells a story of the past to help those in the present navigate the tough road ahead.

Geier takes the reader on a journey from the start of his career to his retirement that spanned decades and continents. Living in 1970’s London and the heyday of New York, working with major clients such as Coca-Cola on memorable campaigns and jingles that have been permanently etched in our minds. Back in the day of face-to-face meetings and the now-mythical three-martini-lunch, it was like a day at the office with Darren Stevens (Bewitched) and the stuff that today’s Mad Men is based on.

From homeruns to hard times, Geier talks about his successes, his failures—which included trusting Michael Ovitz a second time after Ovitz orchestrated a hostile take-over of McCann’s long-time Coca-Cola account—and the lessons and knowledge that he took away each time.

In addition to highlighting and summarizing important points and suggestions, Geier includes 10 key principles that defy both time and market condition; principles that were instrumental in weathering the recession and oil crisis of the 70s and are still just as relevant for the turbulent times of today.

Written in a clear-concise manner, Survive to Thrive is a must read for those interested in the marketing/advertising industry.
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Paperback: 270 pages
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (November 6, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-1439241295