I think it’s probably best never to read a book where you disagree completely with the fundamental premise. The set up in this book is that two ad agencies have merged and both creative directors have to fight for one job over a series of three pitches to big clients. Many, many years ago I worked in ad agencies and that portion was not what bugged me. What I couldn’t get past was the fighting for one job. I’ve had the misfortune of being involved in a number of mergers in companies I’ve worked for and never, ever is anyone competing directly for a job with another person i.e. they are both taken on post-merger and then have to fight it out. It’s absurd. If both are so amazingly talented, make room for them both. Why would you let a talented person with a history with your company and clients go, it makes no business sense at all. Ugh, I just couldn’t get past such a stupid set up.
Of course one agency has a hot female creative director and the other has a hot male creative director. I know I’ll shock you when I say the male has commitment issues and is married to his career and the female has just come out of an eight year relationship so is not looking for love. But guess what? They find it! Then they have to get past the who is going to get the job issues. It’s terribly formulaic as you might imagine with that premise.
I’m not sure I’ll be trying any more of Ms. Kreeland’s books.