Ebook: Brand Failures: The Truth about the 100 Biggest Branding Mistakes of All Time

Non-fictional books are never useless. The only difference in its productiveness is how much information you can glean, whether it be how to do, or not to do. And in this book, there is much to glean, however, there are also parts that miss their marks.

"Branding Failures" is about failures in business, which is always great to study, as to not to repeat history. Each of the 100 cases looks at a business failure (classic, idea, extension, PR, cultural, people, rebranding, tired brands, and E-Failures) its story, and it's reason for failure. Each conclusion is mostly logical, even with a little help. In fact, not a case goes by where the author does not cite, or use another's writers explanation. Chiefly mentioned is the classic market manuel "The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing," and authors Jack Trout and Al Ries. However, there's a point where these sources are cited so often, you're left wondering, 'why not just buy their book?' However, a book examining all these failures in one place differentiates itself from others, in addition to the great advice is gleaned from it. The author himself even adds some great advice every once in a while.

Also keep in mind that the author is of the UK, so there are a few companies that haven't crossed the pond, or are just local. For example, there's a London nightclub, and a few other British companies. So, there is a bit of a cultural barrier in understanding a few of the companies. It's also written in British grammar, so percent is written "per cent," and words will be spelled a bit differently. But the vocabulary is pretty comprehensible.

While books like "22 Immutable Laws of Marketing" primarily go into the principles of marketing, and only bring specific companies up as examples in aid to their teaching, "Branding Failures" goes in depth into why the case failed. While the book could have been better, it's still very informative, and it's at least worth a trip to the library.