Allow me to blast a ray of sunshine through the murky clouds hovering over advertising agencies and marketing departments alike.
About the Book
If you've got talent, I can keep you from rolling an embarrassing string of gutter balls.
Chew With Your Mind Open is here to make it make sense to the degree that advertising ever will. The politics. The personalities. The nonstop problems in need of smart and effective solutions.
I was lucky. I had a great thinker in my corner for over two decades. A rock-solid, real-live 24/7 mentor. My father, Guy Day, knew the advertising racket well and was no stranger to remarkable creative work. He co-founded Chiat/Day as a writer and was the agency's president, twice. My dad helped inspire some of the best advertising of the 20th century, Apple's "1984" Super Bowl spot for example.
He also inspired me.
My advice can keep you from falling into unproductive time-sucks and sinking in conceptual quicksand. I'll help you avoid the chronic wallowing, unneeded politicking, and blame game that's all too common in the business. I'll help you develop good habits that will serve you well in the worst of times. Throughout my book, I'll share how I got -- and still get -- my best thinking through the gauntlet without collecting a huge assortment of knives in my back.
Granted, a few of them will be unavoidable. I'll address that part, too.
My knowledge comes from real-life experiences, and my book is broken down by subject and is served one easily digestible nugget at a time. Sometimes my experiences are funny, other times embarrassing, but they always reveal an underlying truth and a learning opportunity that could spare you some scar tissue.
Along the way, readers will be in the room with me as I present work, defend it, debate clients, and push the best thinking forward.
What People Are Saying About Chew With Your Mind Open
“There’s no bullshit here. Day is a great writer. He worked on actual accounts (remember them?). And here he is offering useful advice (and some damn fine war stories) for anyone in the business. Who says advertising is all bullshit?”
— Luke Sullivan, Author of “Hey Whipple, Squeeze This”; Advertising Chair, Savannah School of Art & Design
“Finding great books to teach advertising creatives is fun, but difficult.We hope to find the ones that guide, nurture, and contribute to a young creatives’ career. I have my two go-to’s; Howard Luck Gossage and Luke Sullivan’s, ‘Whipple”. Now it looks like I will be adding a third to my list.”
— Terry Balagia, Former ECD/Copywriter; Professor, Miami Ad School – Miami Campus, University of Texas at Austin, University of Miami – Coral Gables
“Of the many books written about advertising few, if any, are as enlightening, entertaining, or filled with insightful stories of what it takes to navigate the advertising business as Cameron Day's. While at Chiat/Day I was fortunate to receive a master class in advertising from Lee Clow, Jay Chiat, and Cameron’s father Guy Day. Given, for you, that opportunity no longer exists, "Chew With Your Mind Open" is the next best thing. Grab it, chew on it, savor it, and wash it down with a large dose of inspiration.”
— Rick Boyko, Former - Director VCU Brandcenter - Co-President, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy North America
“A cleverly written, interpersonal, insightful and fun read. Cameron deals successfully with both problems and opportunities, sometimes leveraging sagacious views learned from another ad guy, Guy Day of Chiat/Day. His dad.”
— Fred Goldberg - Founder/CEO Goldberg Moser O’Neill; COO Chiat/Day Advertising
“I’m sure your father would be very proud. But what’s with all the fuckin’ F-bombs? And to think, you kiss me with that mouth.
— Annette Day, mother of three, advertising spouse, author’s mom
A portrait of the author