Reader Reviews and Discussions on Exoticism
Read reviews from industry experts on Gerald Mazzalovo's research into exoticism, semiotics, and luxury brand management.
" Exoticism Reimagined Thoughtfully5.0 out of 5 stars
I found it surprisingly useful and full of insight I wasn’t expecting. I honestly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to creatives, marketers, or anyone who’s ever been drawn to something just because it felt different."
United States. Drake M. November 19, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review
gm, November 21, 2025
" A must-read for anyone interested in the cultural impact of marketing.5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating and deeply thoughtful exploration of how brands navigate cultural diversity and representation. The book blends theory with real-world insight and surprisingly engaging for such a complex topic. A must-read for anyone interested in ethics, branding or the cultural impact of marketing."
United States. Neo Senna. November 9, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review
gm, November 11, 2025
" A Modern Lens on Branding5.0 out of 5 stars
This book talks about how brands leverage the concept of exoticism to shape identity, desire, and difference. The author offers a compelling mix of historical context, semiotic analysis and real-world brand examples that elevate the discussion beyond superficial marketing talk.
A good book for professionals and students in branding, culture and media, this is both a provocative and necessary read."
United States. Amelia Montgomery. October 29, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review
gm, November 1, 2025
" Insightful, Challenging, and Deeply Relevant5.0 out of 5 stars
EXOTICISM, Brands & Society is a thought-provoking exploration of how culture, identity, and commerce intersect in today’s global landscape. The author examines the ethical and aesthetic dimensions of diversity with both intellectual depth and clarity, connecting philosophy, marketing, and social critique in a compelling way. It encourages readers to think critically about representation, authenticity, and the moral responsibilities of brands in shaping modern identity. A powerful and timely contribution to discussions on ethics, culture, and globalization. "
United States. YF. October 28, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review
gm, November 1, 2025
" Deep look at culture and branding
This book is quite deep and thought-provoking, exploring the idea of how the modern culture is impacted by the concept of "Exoticism". The parallels drawn between colonial history and today's modern marketing and how this fascination drives consumer behavior is interesting. I would rate this as a gem of a book. "
United States. Ahil. October 19, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review
gm, November 1, 2025
" Evolving relationship between desire and expression.
I really love cultural studies and I found this book extremely educational. It redefines exoticism with nuance and displays how it shapes originality, marketing, and modern values. Excellent for readers captivated by diversity, semiotics, and the evolving relationship between desire and expression. "
United States. H Nakamura. October 14, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review
gm, October 20, 2025
"Terrific reference on a hard to find topic
This dense work is a must-have for writers, travel advertisers, and purveyors of high-end goods. The book unpacks the historical works of various experts on the topic of what makes the exotic, well, exotic. It does this through an examination and illumination of what used to comprise conceptions of the exotic, today’s emerging perceptions, and even future or alternative worlds through the lens of semiotics, the study of signs and symbols and how they are used to create meaning. “Difference is not diversity. Diversity is given. But the difference is that by which the given is given,” is one of my favorite quotes from the book. How cultural differences are packaged and delivered is at the core of this work.
These days, there is an understandable tension between fascination with the exotic of the bad old colonial days, and the current intense amalgamation of cultures seen as more humane and progressive. The Buddhist who orders a hotdog from a street vendor and asks him “to make him one with everything” as the old joke goes, will never know the joy of a simple chili dog. Like anything in life, there are two sides to this coin, which this work examines with thoroughness. Some of the experts included expressed concern that geographic and temporal integration of modern cultures is decreasing the opportunities for the experience of immersion into exotic ‘otherness’. Other experts cited claim that consumers of goods and experiences views of what constitutes the exotic has changed, but by no means have such perceptions declined or disappeared entirely. These differing viewpoints make for a fascinating and thought-provoking read. As a consultant for the agritourism industry on making rural farm settings as much of a throwback to an idealized past as possible, even I learned a thing or two about marketing imagery and narratives. There are deeply compelling chapters on dream-weaving and world-building techniques that artists, writers, and even buyers of NFTs should refer to for theoretical grounding into what makes ‘otherness’ appealing and desirable. The tenets of world-building such as with Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings are explored. There is much more to be gained from obtaining this work for your bookshelf than one review can address, but as a professional in the field, I highly recommend this work, whether you are the CEO of an ecotourism operation, or a science fiction writer, you will return to this work again and again "
United States. LHR. October 14, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review
gm, October 15, 2025
"The book is ambitious. How can all the possible considerations on exoticism be exhaustively covered, even after five years of research? So, the author presents a mixed bag of themes, concepts, opinions, and analytical instruments with multiple references to history, literature, marketing, art history, and semiotics, which constitute its main interest.
The help of the co-author and the two guest writers enriches the content.
It is a MUST-BUY, as a unique reference book on exoticism."
Paris. Robert Laffont. April 25, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review
gm, April 25, 2025
"It is an original book. A broader scope than in the author’s previous book on Brand Management. We still find the expected use of semiotic squares to help structure meaning in brand communication and creation, but GM addresses social themes here. Chapter 11 (The Era of Diversity), for example, is a pamphlet on the excesses and absurdity of certain woke ideologies, especially when existing discriminations are replaced by new ones.
This is a book that could generate sound debates. Buy it and send your criticisms."
London. Thomas Fall. March 22, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review, I agree with your analysis.
gm, April 25, 2025
"This book is not for the fainthearted. It is a welcome work that changes from the fast, superficial, and shallow opinions and analysis on social media. Here is a profound and erudite 5-year work by one of the most respected brand expert. Get the book and take the time to get into it."
Bangkok. Surasat Supakanporn. January 15, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review
gm, April 25, 2025
I read several of Mazzalovo's older books and found them very useful. That's why I had no doubts about this one too. He is one of the very few true insiders of branding and especially luxury branding"
United States. Tofig Husein-zadeh. April 25, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review
gm, April 25, 2025