The Secret Sales Pitch: An Overview of Subliminal Advertising

-A fascinating look at how media manipulates the mind; -A handbook for marketing, psychology, sociology, and related classes; -A "how to manual" for artists, advertisers, and business people interested in subliminal techniques.

The Secret Sales Pitch argues that, since the 1950s, optical illusions have been secretly embedded in mass media in order to manipulate the public unconsciously. These subliminal images are extremely provocative, and involve nightmarish monsters as well as many forms of erotica. In addition, pictures with subliminal meanings understood only on an unconscious level have secretly aroused viewers’ innermost fears and fantasies.

The author is an attorney who presents the evidence of subliminal advertising as though he were addressing a jury. Although the claims on the cover may initially seem outlandish, the case that is presented is credible and disturbing. The examples that are provided are startling, and intelligently correlated to studies gleaned from psychological journals. The history of subliminal persuasion, from Vance Packard to the present, is thoughtfully reviewed. N.F. Dixon, a respected psychologist and the author of a treatise on subliminal perception, has endorsed Bullock’s work and commented that his interpretations are "convincing and ingenious."

The back cover promises "You will never watch a commercial, make a sales presentation, or look in the mirror the same way again." Even skeptical readers will not be disappointed.

I became engrossed in the subject of subliminal advertising after reading Wilson Bryan Key’s book, Subliminal Seduction, in the 1970s. I found the insights that he presented totally fascinating but I always felt that the general argument he was making could be presented more logically. Although the idea that images can have "secret" meanings or contain optical illusions that influence viewers unconsciously may initially seem outlandish, it actually makes perfect sense. In The Secret Sales Pitch I demonstrate this by correlating perceptual and psychological studies that establish the efficacy of subliminal stimulation with advertisements that contain subliminal techniques. I also review the history of subliminal persuasion from Vance Packard to the present, revealing that Madison Avenue’s involvement in the topic is completely understandable. All of my examples are original, and the text is thoroughly documented with 32 pages of annotated references. A prominent psychologist has commented that my work is "convincing and ingenious." The American Library Association describes it as "a fresh and engaging read..." "...for a general audience as well as students and practitioners...." "Highly recommended." ...for all libraries.

The Secret Sales Pitch is not just an expose of secret techniques used in media; it is a textbook thoughtfully outlining how to make images that are unconsciously stimulating. The 136 illustrations are printed in high resolution full color and logically interwoven with the text. Projects and Experiments are included for both serious researchers and students of all grade levels. My goal is to provoke and intelligent and meaningful debate of this very serious controversy.