Hit Makers

The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction

By: Derek Thompson

Narrated by: Derek Thompson

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Nothing "goes viral". If you think a popular movie, song, or app came out of nowhere to become a word-of-mouth success in today's crowded media environment, you're missing the real story. Each blockbuster has a secret history - of power, influence, dark broadcasters, and passionate cults that turn some new products into cultural phenomena. Even the most brilliant ideas wither in obscurity if they fail to connect with the right network, and the consumers that matter most aren't the early adopters but rather their friends, followers, and imitators - the audience of your audience.

In his groundbreaking investigation, Atlantic senior editor Derek Thompson uncovers the hidden psychology of why we like what we like and reveals the economics of cultural markets that invisibly shape our lives. Shattering the sentimental myths of hit making that dominate pop culture and business, Thompson shows quality is insufficient for success, nobody has "good taste", and some of the most popular products in history were one bad break away from utter failure. It may be a new world, but there are some enduring truths to what audiences and consumers want. People love a familiar surprise: a product that is bold yet sneakily recognizable.

All businesses, artists, and people looking to promote themselves and their work want to know what makes some works so successful while others disappear. Hit Makers is a magical mystery tour through the last century of pop culture blockbusters and the most valuable currency of the 21st century - people's attention.

From the dawn of impressionist art to the future of Facebook, from Etsy designers to the origin of Star Wars, Derek Thompson leaves no pet rock unturned to tell the fascinating story of how culture happens and why things become popular.

In Hit Makers, Derek Thompson investigates:

• The secret link between ESPN's sticky programming and the The Weeknd's catchy choruses
• Why Facebook is the world's most important modern newspaper
• How advertising critics predicted Donald Trump
• The fifth grader who accidentally launched "Rock Around the Clock", the biggest hit in rock and roll history
• How Barack Obama and his speechwriters think of themselves as songwriters
• How Disney conquered the world - but the future of hits belongs to savvy amateurs and individuals
• The French collector who accidentally created the Impressionist canon
• Quantitative evidence that the biggest music hits aren't always the best
• Why almost all Hollywood blockbusters are sequels, reboots, and adaptations
• Why one year - 1991 - is responsible for the way pop music sounds today
• Why another year - 1932 - created the business model of film

©2017 Derek Thompson (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Enthralling - full of 'aha' moments about why some ideas soar and others never get off the ground. This book picks up where The Tipping Point left off." (Adam Grant, Wharton professor and New York Times best-selling author of Originals and Give and Take)

“While giving Lady Luck her due, Thompson studiously examines the myriad factors that make the things we buy, like and follow so irresistible: whether Facebook, TV shows such as Seinfeld, Bumble (the app, not the insect), even favorite lullabies. In Hit Makers, his first book, Thompson tackles this mystery with solid research, ready wit and catchy aphorisms...a wonderful book.” (USA Today)

“Hit Makers is thoughtful and thorough, a compelling book...a terrific look at what makes a hit, from the Mona Lisa to Donald Trump.” (Vox)

nothing break through about this book

a take on how Malcolm Gladwell would wright a book. needed more chapters or better story

Loved this

Wonderful insights and delivery. I usually hate books that overanalyze the obvious but Derek found a way to uncover classic tropes among new topics.

Very good

This review requires fifteen words but I only wanted to write two words. Very good.

Must read!

Great book and great insights! A must read for any creator on entrepreneur, even more so nowadays

Well done!

This book breaks down, in a very tangible way, the things that lure people in. He has taken a very easy, logical approach to the driving force behind "the hit". I love this and will definitely share.

Fascinating and amazing!

I really enjoyed this book. It severely depressed me at first, just understanding the way human culture works as a creator made me sad. But the connections Derek Thompson makes, the encouragements he offers, I will recommended this book to several people!

Multiple perspectives on popularity

This is a must read for promoters and marketers. There is a lot of science backed with empirical observation here. There are lots of opinions, too. I would say that this book is effective at presenting the underpinnings of a variety of human attention, distraction and fascination. Not al of this is strictly scientific, but almost all of it is useful. The writing is quite good. The selections of content and examples are well done. I am neither marketer nor promoter, so the departure from the scientific underpinning was more disappointing to me than it might be to others. The writing is good enough and the content presented clear enough to carry through.

A very good listen

It's informative and thought provoking. It gives honest analysis with conclusions yet no real claim to "the answer." Enlightening.

Fantastic

Very thought provoking. Definitely some homerun usable ideas here. Thanks for writing this, quality recording as well.

interesting and mesmerizing

interesting and mesmerizing, I'm going to listen to it again and again....lots of stuff to absorb