When summer slows things down, it’s the perfect time to recharge and get inspired. Here at SUNTIMES, we’ve picked out four books that offer valuable insights for tackling marketing challenges, understanding consumer behavior, and learning how ideas spread in the digital world.
Here’s our summer reading shortlist for media planners and marketers who, just like us at SUNTIMES, want to stay sharp even under the umbrella.
1. What is neuromarketing by Mara Bellati and Alessandro Fici
Let’s be honest, numbers alone just don’t cut it. This book reveals how our brains REALLY react to different stimuli in advertising and brand strategies. Emotions are the key to grabbing attention, sticking in memory, and getting people to interact—say, with a click. They’re not an add-on, they’re the driving force that makes us stand out in the sea of daily distractions.
Understanding how emotional and brain reactions influence buying decisions is crucial for optimizing budgets and ensuring our campaigns aren’t just pretty but damn effective. Emotions don’t just grab attention—they build the connection that makes a message unforgettable, pushing it straight into the cart.
2. Confessions of a Marketer: The Advertising Logic of Facebook and Instagram by Enrico Marchetto
Think you know social media? Marchetto will prove you wrong. With plenty of sharp sarcasm, he walks you through how to target better, use algorithms to your advantage, and master the ad options like a pro.
It’s a deep dive into consumer psychology, but never boring. Every page has a twist, where learning is not only useful but also incredibly fun. If you really want to understand what’s behind a social campaign, this book is the perfect starting point.
3. Contagious: How Things Catch On by Jonah Berger
We’re connected 24/7 these days. Understanding what makes an idea go viral is crucial. Contagious by Jonah Berger is your practical guide for this.
Why do some ideas blow up while others don’t? It’s all about psychology! Berger shows real-life examples of how context and triggers make an idea irresistible. Every decision we make—even the smallest one—is influenced by social proof.
How a message is perceived changes depending on context, timing, and presentation. Think about digital OOH ads, for example—their dynamic, real-time content makes the message super relevant.
Berger’s book teaches one key thing: make private things public. Turn personal opinions and choices into visible signals for everyone. Think about online reviews. Who hasn’t been influenced by a product’s rating before making a purchase? The same goes for dating apps: the number of users is crucial to attract new sign-ups, showing that “this choice is hot,” even if the topic’s still a bit taboo.Stessa cosa per le app di incontri: il numero di utenti è decisivo per attrarre nuovi iscritti, dimostrando che quella scelta "tira", anche se l'argomento è ancora un po' un tabù.
4. Beautiful Visualization by Julie Steele, Noah Iliinsky
In our work, great data visualization is essential for making information clear and immediate. Beautiful Visualization is a must-have on any marketer’s bookshelf—it reveals the art and science behind this tool.
Learning how to visualize data isn’t optional—it’s what turns analysis into strategic insight that clients can instantly grasp. And color, folks, is our true superpower! It’s what makes a chart or infographic immediately clear. Here at SUNTIMES, we believe every data point and image should speak for itself, and knowing how to create effective visuals turns complexity into winning insight.
These books will give you the right energy for fresh ideas and even sharper strategies. And if, after all that theory and insight, you start missing the agency life (or you’ve just run out of books 😉), we’ve got the perfect bonus track for you. No reading, just streaming with a timeless classic: the episode "Touched by a Genius" from the legendary “Murder, She Wrote”.
This intriguing mystery takes place right inside a communications agency. Get ready to stay glued to your screen and maybe even find a few “clues” for your next campaign!
Here’s to a summer full of insights. Happy reading from the Media Team at SUNTIMES!
Credits
SUNTIMES
Eleonora Cisini - Junior Media Planner
Gabriele Coviello - Junior Media Planner
Guglielmo Vanasia - Senior Media Planner