Paul M. Rand - Highly recommended: harnessing the power of word of mouth and social media to build your brand and your business

Praise for Highly Recommended

Consumers are increasingly cutting through all the puff and fluff of advertising to get to whats real. They are relying more and more on people like them, especially online, to help make purchasing decisions. If youre a marketer, you need to create and nurture fans and make it easy for new customers to hear from others how great you are. Its a new world where the most highly recommended brand wins. Pauls book Highly Recommended is THE playbook learning why and how to make this happen.

BOB ARMOUR, Chief Marketing Officer, Guaranteed Rate, Inc.

More often than not, great relationships and transformative experiences begin with an impassioned recommendation. Thats how I came to know Paul Rand more than 15 years agoand the personal and professional return on that simple referral has been immense. I am privileged to have had the benefit of Pauls insight, wisdom, good humor, and friendship while working to build brands for market categories as diverse as semiconductors, mobile phones, zero-emission electric cars, travel and tourism, and a leading nonprofit global service organization. For anyone who doesnt have the benefit of a direct relationship with Paul, this book delivers a thorough and thought-provoking blueprint for enabling both the highly recommended business and the highly recommended life.

ALAN J. BUDDENDECK, Chief Communications Officer, Rotary International

It is critically important that companies understand the business value of word of mouth and how to harness the power of recommendationsnot just a recommendation, but the millions instantaneously accessible right at ones fingertips anytime and anywhere.

CHRISTINE CEA, Senior Director of Marketing Communications, Unilever

Being a brand that is highly recommended, as Paul recognizes, is more than using social media well and even more than doing smart brand strategy. Its the consequence of an enterprise doing the right things. Pauls book beautifully reframes these ideas and adds examples and insights to achieve this genuinely higher order goal.

TOM COLLINGER, Executive Director, Medill IMC Spiegel Digital &
Database Research Initiative, Northwestern University

I did not need a book to know I highly recommend Paul! As you take the time to read this book, you will feel the same way about Paul as I do. This book is an incredible guide, filled with great stories that will take your brand to the next level. Love it!

FRANK ELIASON, Director of Global Social Media, Citi, and author of @YourService

Paul gives us a refreshing gift of insight. Highly Recommended shows us the possibilities of a deeper relationship between consumers and brands.

SCOTT ELLIS, VP North America and General Manager, August Storck KG

Pauls new book Highly Recommended provides an easy-to-follow road map for companies trying to shift from a monologue to a dialogue with their customers. His emphasis on using purposeful storytelling, authenticity, and transparency to shape consumers relationship with a brand is spot on. I would recommend this book to any marketers looking to transform their organizations through the power of word of mouth recommendations.

PEPPER EVANS, Vice President of Loyalty Branding & Marketing, International Consumer & Small Business
Services, American Express

Have you ever wanted to get inside one of the brightest minds in the agency world to learn how he drives success for his clients? This is your chance. Youll find solid examples, hear the latest research, learn the biggest mishaps, and get the formula for being highly recommended in Paul Rands new book.

SUZANNE P. FANNING, President, Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA)

Too many business and marketing books are one-hit wondersthey have one point to make and you get it after the first chapter. Highly Recommended makes a strong business case for generating recommendations and then specifically shows you how to systematically generate recommendations for your business. Every chapter is full of ways to be a thriving social business today. Its no wonder Paul has built the largest social media business in Omnicom Group.

ROB FLAHERTY, Senior Partner and CEO, Ketchum

Highly Recommended is a MUST-READ!! Where was this book when I needed it a couple of years ago as I embarked on this Social Business journey? I would have avoided many bumps and bruises. Pauls concept of Living a Recommendable Life is brilliant! Showing how this can apply to the individual as well as a brand and/or a business was really powerful. Highly Recommended is action packed with real-world case studies and a clear formula on how to put this into action for your brand or business. I walked away with pages of ideas on how to put this in play for my business, all inspired by this great book.

KIM HEALY, Vice President of Consumer Products Marketing, Solo Cup Company
(now part of Dart Container Corporation)

There is nothing more powerful than a recommendation to drive purchase intent. Its the perfect complement to a strong brand campaign and essential to drive success in todays competitive marketplace. Yet few people have figured out how to harness word of mouth and seamlessly integrate it into the marketing mix... until now. Highly Recommended will make you think differently about how you invest your marketing dollars.

SHANNON JENEST, Director of Communications, Philips Consumer Lifestyle, North America

Highly Recommended is very resonant with my own beliefs and experiences. The succinct organizing principles and approach are great for anyone interested in getting serious about WOM and social media as a matter of strategy rather than old school stunts inspired by P. T. Barnum. Paul demystifies much of what many think requires a magic lantern and lightning in a bottle. I love the idea of aspiring to become recommendable. Clear, simple, and sticky.

RUSS KLEIN, former Chief Marketing Officer, Arbys Restaurant Group and former CMO, Burger King

Paul understands the real-world quirks and complexities of marketing today and offers insights and actionable strategies for businesses to have an immediate impact. Highly Recommended should be required reading for all business, marketing, and social media leaders... and their superiors.

ERICH MARX, Director of Interactive & Social Media Marketing, Nissan North America, Inc.

Nearly every one of our global clients recognizes the business value and power of digital and social media. Highly Recommended brings clarity and life to some of the most important lessons and best practices around. Every brand should strive to become highly recommended. Paul has cracked the code, and his book shows you can do it too.

JONATHAN NELSON, CEO, Omnicom Digital at Omnicom Group Inc.

Highly Recommended is an understatement. Paul has nailed the pain points, challenges, and opportunities a company or brand must address in order to become a Social Business. Packed with research, case studies, and practical insights, the reader comes away with ideas ready for action. Highly Recommended should really be Mandatory Reading!

GARY SPANGLER, Leader, DuPont Social Media Center of Excellence

Recommendations are key in the hospitality businesseven more so in the age of the always on, connected consumer. What I really appreciate about Pauls book is that it is written in a manner that is easy for everyone to understand irrespective of their knowledge of the subject. Huge.