The entertainment economy - Michael J. Wolf

Every so often an author explains our culture in such a new and original way that from that day on we see the world around us in a new light. From Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan through Nicholas Negroponte's Being Digital. the books that have shown us the clearest vision of the future have been those that recognize the central role of mass media.

In The Entertainment Economy, Michael J. Wolf, the industry's most in-demand strategist, demonstrates that media and entertainment have moved beyond culture to become the driving wheel of the global economy.From New York to New Delhi, from London to Lagos, from Singapore to Seattle, every business is locked in the same battle for consumer attention that movie producers and television programmers deal with on a daily basis.Consumer businesses just like entertainment businesses have to turn to content for the competitive edge.As adviser to companies like MTV, Paramount, Hearst, NBC, Universal, News Corporation, Bertelsmann and the NBA, Wolf is known by industry insiders as the moguls' secret weapon.In clear, brash prose, full of real-life examples, Wolf shows how tomorrow's successful business person will have to act like a mogul in a global economy defined by hits and blockbusters.

From MTV to Ford Motor Company, from Tommy Hilfiger to Martha Stewart, from Citibank to Amazon.com, from Stephen Spielberg to Richard Branson, Wolf shares the insights gained through his unique perspective as the founder of the world's largest media consulting practice, leaving no doubt that the watchwords for all consumer businesses in the 21st century are truly, "There's no business without show business."Written with equal degrees of business and pop culture savvy, The Entertainment Economy is a book for everyone.

Michael J. Wolf is the leading consultant to the world's top media and entertainment companies.He is the founder and Senior Partner of the Media and Entertainment Group at Booz-Allen & Hamilton, the largest and most influential consulting practice for these industries.His team of more than 200 consultants are based in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Tokyo, Munich, Shanghai and Sao Paolo.A graduate of Columbia University, Mr. Wolf lives in New York City.

"Since I always read the end of a book first, I loved the conclusion of THE ENTERTAINMENT ECONOMY.... Imagination, Michael Wolf contends, is the most valuable asset of all. As proof, he takes you on a pop culture tour, uncovering the lessons of Michael Jordan, Madonna, Viagra, e-commerce and sports utility vehicles, and finally, the mystery of how you get to create the next cultural phenomenon. I laughed, I cried, I took notes."
--Judy McGrath, President of MTV

"As advisor to many of the world's top media moguls, Michael Wolf has th eultimate insider's view of how entertainment is changing every aspect of our lives. In his engrossing book, THE ENTERTAINMENT ECONOMY, he offers insights on the new and traditional media and the decision-makers who will change our economy and culture."
--Bob Pittman, President and Chief Operating Officer of America Online