Ogilvy on Advertising

David Ogilvy’s Ogilvy on Advertising is nothing short of essential reading for anyone in marketing, advertising, or business. Written with the wit, wisdom, and no-nonsense clarity of a true industry pioneer, this book is packed with timeless principles that remain as relevant today as when they were first published. Ogilvy doesn’t just theorize—he delivers hard-earned, battle-tested advice on everything from crafting irresistible copy and understanding consumer psychology to choosing the right agency and running effective campaigns. His insights are backed by real-world success, making this far more than just a textbook; it’s a masterclass from the man who built one of the most legendary ad agencies in history. What sets this book apart is its brutal honesty. Ogilvy pulls no punches—he tells you what works, what doesn’t, and why most advertising fails. Whether you’re a rookie looking to break into the industry or a seasoned pro in need of a refresher, Ogilvy on Advertising is a goldmine of knowledge. If you want to learn from the best, this is it. Five stars—an absolute must-read!

Why reinvent the wheel when you have the soundest principles in advertising at your fingertips? Although Ogilvy's book is almost 25 years old, it's jam packed with timely instruction, insight, and examples. Or perhaps because it is 25 years old. Ogilvy quotes colleague Bill Bernbach: "It is fashionable to talk about changing man. A communicator must be concerned with unchanging man ... The creative man with an insight into human nature, with the artistry to touch and move people will succeed. Without them he will fail." Ogilvy had insight in spades, practical experience, common sense, a passion for research as well as creativity, and above all, a relentless focus on selling. Pick any few paragraphs at random and all those qualities will shine through. Among the many ideas I found really helpful-- 1. Branding means giving your product personality. (For example, the man in the Hathaway shirt wore an eyepatch.) 2. Facts sell better than hype. 3. The principles of direct response apply to all forms of advertising. 4. Creativity is worthless unless it sells. 5. Copywriting is the heart of advertising. 6. Use the brand name in your headline. Otherwise 80% of readers may never see it. 7. Long copy sells. 8. Analogies, big words, and naming the competitor confuse people. 9. Pricing cannot be determined scientifically. 10. Excellent graphic design is simple graphic design. 11. Corporate advertising is worthwhile. 12. Always include a promise in your headline. 13. The era of the blockbuster brand is ending. (Ogivly detected the "Long Tail" 20 years before most of us!) 14. According to Ogivly, "...advertising is no more and no less than a reasonably efficient way to sell." But this summary doesn't do the book justice. He makes solid points nonstop. Not surprising for a master copywriter and former door-to-door salesman, he writes in plain English. He offers "big picture" reflections on the advertising industry, including an impassioned defense of advertising against charges of hucksterism. He offers detailed tips that are just as important, mainly on print advertising, direct response, and dealing with clients. Educational, authoritative, fun to read. A+

Of course, David Ogilvy is one of the all-time great advertising execs and copywriters. This is a useful book for anyone who wants to learn more about marketing, copywriting, advertising, or sales letters. I liked this book because it shared a lot of interesting stories from his life and work, and despite being written over 20 years ago still has lots of timeless information and tips. He writes in an old-fashioned, patrician style that reflects his upbringing and day and age. Although it took a little while to get used to, it's actually quite refreshing. The rigor that Ogilvy applied to his research and copywriting should be applied in all marketing projects, whether online or offline. With the key concepts of this book, you can dramatically improve the marketing performance of your existing website or advertising project.

Fantastic book

If you like advertising..this book is for you!

If you are responsible for advertising or promoting a company, a product or a cause, this is a superlative book to read. David Ogilvy, founder of Ogilvy & Mather advertising agency, was one of the most successful advertisers of the 20th century. In the 21st century it is easy to get caught up with blogging, social media and email campaigns and think that somehow advertising methods of the past won't work here. Although written before the internet was something that everybody uses, the principles of advertising and his methods couldn't be more appropriate. He was a great believer in market research and good, simple communication. His book is a perfect example - it is extremely easy to ready, very entertaining, and wonderfully useful. There are tried-and-true ways to advertise that work and Ogilvy explains them well with examples of advertising you'll instantly recognize (if you were around in the second half of the 20th century). This book is more than worth its price if you need to advertise.

If you're in the advertising industry, or aspiring to break in, do yourself a favor: stop reading this review and start reading Ogilvy's book. This book, although older, is not dated. Sure there are other books that will get into the specifics of new media, but in this classic you'll learn all the basics of advertising and build a foundation of knowledge that will help you create great advertising across all mediums for the rest of your career. I cannot stress enough that this book is a must read for any advertising professional, especially copywriters. Ogilvy was a true businessman who knew how to sell, and this book shows it. Even those not interested in advertising have countless lessons to learn from David Ogilvy. I guarantee you'll read it more than once. P.S. - For all you aspiring copywriters, when you're finished with Ogilvy On Advertising be sure to pick up Luke Sullivan's "Hey Whipple, Squeeze This" and start making advertising that doesn't suck.

David Ogilvy is one of the titans of advertising, and this book provides timeless insights into the business and psychology of the advertising business. Covering print, TV, radio and direct marketing - as well as career advice for the aspiring advertising professional, the book - though now 30 years old, still resonates. The element emphasized by Ogilvy that allows it to maintain his relevance was a quote he took from Bill Bernbach - human nature hasn't changed over the years, and won't. Advertising appeals to our fundamental nature, and Ogilvy captures it in a way that is both informative and entertaining. Full of color and black & white ads and examples, the book also gives the 21st century reader a nostalgic look at 20th century advertising. Interesting and worth reading.