This may be the most detailed account of the life and death of an agency/client relationship ever written. Randall Rothenberg, using the reporting skills he learned while an editor at the New York Times and Esquire, was given almost unfettered access to chronicle the short-lived relationship between Subaru and Wieden & Kennedy.

It is a relationship far to common in the ad business. Subaru has massive problems, both with their product and message. They decide they need a “hot” creative shop. Widen & Kennedy is a “hot” agency, who also desperately wants a national automotive account.

The story begins with pitches by multiple agencies, sourcing, presentation of concepts, approval, and execution. The amount of detail concerning the background of the client, target audience, market conditions, and how Widen utilizes the data to develop strategies, tactics, and eventually creative concepts is stunning.

Regardless of your position or seniority, Rothenberg lays out the information in a narrative that makes you feel (painful at times) a part of both the client and agency team. If there is a member of your family that doesn’t understand what you do for a living, give them a copy of this book and they will.

The first chapter is online if you’d like to read it and Amazon has several good reviews. Go get yourself a used copy for under six bucks.