Review: The Copy Book

By Hazel Phillips, February 21, 2012 @ 3:19 pm

D&AD, The Copy Book

(Taschen, New Holland, 2011), $125

This hefty tome will definitely put your back out when you try to pick it up, but you’ll at least be entertained during those long hours recuperating on the couch.

In 1995, D&AD published a book about writing ads. (If you’re not in advertising, you’re likely laughing right now. But think about all those iconic Kiwi ads – the Anchor family, the Crunchie spot, and Sean Fitzpatrick in a pink fist – and how they’ve informed and shaped New Zealand culture.)

The book was a best-seller and it’s become a bible for creative directors and aspiring ad creatives alike, except only the former could actually afford to own a copy – at $125 it’ll not only put your back out, it’ll clean out your wallet, too.

Taschen has reproduced the book, updated and redesigned and including works from the past 15 years. It features the work, plus essays by 48 ad men around the world.

Names du livre include Lionel Hunt, Dan Widen, Barbara Nokes and David Abbott.

It’s out now and makes for a massively excellent present for the ad (wo)man in your life. Nab yerself a copy, but don’t send us your chiropractic bill.

Originally published in Idealog #37, page 67