Why Does the Pedlar Sing?

Throughout history, selling and entertainment have gone hand in hand – from the medieval pedlar and the medicine show, to generations of TV commercials featuring song and dance, comedy and cartoon animals, and today’s celebrities who launch their own multi-million dollar brands.

Yet the advertising business today seems reluctant to embrace its powerful links with popular culture. Misled by managerial myths of rationality and logic, and by a cultish misunderstanding of ‘creativity’, it risks forgetting how to appeal to the public. As a result today’s advertising is less liked – and less effective – than ever before.

But it is not too late. Advertisers and agencies who read this book can rediscover why the pedlar sings, and why people do buy from clowns.

Advertising could become popular, famous, and fun again – and more effective.

Why Does the Pedlar Sing? is available as paperback, e-book, and audiobook.

• Praise & Reviews

  This is a fabulous book. ...It is possibly the book I would most highly recommend to anyone in marketing.

  Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman, Ogilvy

  It’s the most significant publication on advertising for years, by a long chalk. Let’s hope it’s also the most influential.

  Adrian Langford, Director of Strategy and Planning at Jaywing

  Paul Feldwick is the wisest man in advertising. I genuinely believe this will become one of the most important advertising books ever written.

  Paul Dervan, CMO, Irish National Lottery

  If you work in advertising or marketing, drop everything and read Paul Feldwick's new book "Why Does The Pedlar Sing?". I started and finished it over the weekend and it's brilliant.

  Craig Mawdsley, Founder Partner at craig and bridget

  Such a great book. It could spark the next creative revolution.

  Dr Sebastian Wolf, whom God preserve, of Munich.

• Interviews, podcasts, talks

  See below for a lively ten minute talk about the book followed by an interview by Sameera Ahmed:

  And here are some podcasts in which I talk about the book:

  Jon Evans’ Uncensored CMO

  https://open.spotify.com/episode/5fAx4R0NqTbIQJJBcRbR2E

  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/why-does-the-pedlar-sing-paul-feldwick/id1486335987?i=1000520512567

  Fergus O’Carroll’s OnStrategy Showcase

  https://www.onstrategyshowcase.com/episode/paul-feldwick?rq=feldwick

   

  Brian Jacobs for asi

  https://www.asiconferences.com/asi-casts/asicast-118-why-is-advertising-so-unpopular/