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5th out of 29 books
—
22 voters
Ogilvy on Advertising
by
David Ogilvy
A candid and indispensable primer on all aspects of advertising from the man Time has called "the most sought after wizard in the business". 223 photos.
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
March 12th 1985
by Vintage
(first published January 1st 1984)
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What I have learnt from Ogilvy on Advertising
- black letter on white background!!! the reverse does not work
- do research on what the audience wants to see, do not just base on your preference
- if it does not sell, it isn’t creative
- order of print ad: picture, headlines, subheadlines, words (that’s what the audience's mind wants)
- there are many advertising agencies because one can not work for its clients’ competitors
- long-term contract with clients is crucial to the business
- keep track of t...more
- black letter on white background!!! the reverse does not work
- do research on what the audience wants to see, do not just base on your preference
- if it does not sell, it isn’t creative
- order of print ad: picture, headlines, subheadlines, words (that’s what the audience's mind wants)
- there are many advertising agencies because one can not work for its clients’ competitors
- long-term contract with clients is crucial to the business
- keep track of t...more
If you've ever been interested in working at an ad agency, if you've ever worked at an ad agency, or if you ever had a strong affinity for the Mastercard Priceless (McCann Erickson) or the Got Milk campaign (Goodby Silverstein), you must read this book. Not only does David Ogilvy give great advice from inside the business, but he presents his wonderfully written copy with the best parts of a vintage Life magazine (the pictures). Ogilvy clearly states the best steps for breaking into the business...more
I've had this book in my shelves for a couple years and finally sat down to begin reading it recently. And I'm so, so, soooo mad at myself because I wish I had read this immediately when I first picked it up!
Although it was written decades ago and contains information that will be construed as outdated (especially since the look of advertising has definitely changed substantially), a lot of it is still sound and relevant. I don't work in advertising, but I was thinking of a ton of areas where th...more
Although it was written decades ago and contains information that will be construed as outdated (especially since the look of advertising has definitely changed substantially), a lot of it is still sound and relevant. I don't work in advertising, but I was thinking of a ton of areas where th...more
This is a worthy read for anyone in advertising, marketing, or any creative services field.
Ogilvy was an innovator of modern advertising and his pragmatic approach to creating great ads, running an agency, winning and keeping clients, going global, etc. etc. still hold true almost 30 years after this book was first published.
As I read the book I kept wondering what Ogilvy would have thought of the Internet (or desktop publishing for that matter). As an industry pioneer he probably would have s...more
Ogilvy was an innovator of modern advertising and his pragmatic approach to creating great ads, running an agency, winning and keeping clients, going global, etc. etc. still hold true almost 30 years after this book was first published.
As I read the book I kept wondering what Ogilvy would have thought of the Internet (or desktop publishing for that matter). As an industry pioneer he probably would have s...more
Ogilvy is brilliant. Even with the advent of the internet, the core of advertising remains the same because basic human motives remain the same, and what he has to say is still very relevant.
While the rest of the book is packed with time-honored strategies and tips, his talent is especially evident in the chapter dedicated to past advertising giants.
This might seem like a fluff chapter to those people just looking to absorb facts, but it is far more valuable – he is showing you how to communica...more
While the rest of the book is packed with time-honored strategies and tips, his talent is especially evident in the chapter dedicated to past advertising giants.
This might seem like a fluff chapter to those people just looking to absorb facts, but it is far more valuable – he is showing you how to communica...more
wanna know basic knowledge of 'evilish' advertising? this is your bible, written by lord of advertising, spiced-up with outstanding award-winning ads samples. it's a gift from a buddy Dedeng, he got it from Mac909
Nov 02, 2007
Ben
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Advertisers and Designers
Shelves:
top-shelf-reads-rereads-and-got
If you want to have ANYTHING to do with advertising, you must read this book. If you want to have ANYTHING to do with graphic design, you must have something to do with advertising...
Not as a booster, but as a judge of the faithful thought I go back to some chapters of this book whenever I need arises. And I know what Ogilvy his philosophy can answer or touch up the idea of how to proceed. Clearly, since the Ogilvy advertising largely evolved.
Adv projects are thousands of claims from the client and the millions of image transformations before it will be shown to the public. But one thing stay unchanged: the client always count and will count his money. David Ogilvy gives a...more
Adv projects are thousands of claims from the client and the millions of image transformations before it will be shown to the public. But one thing stay unchanged: the client always count and will count his money. David Ogilvy gives a...more
Jan 25, 2008
Nigel Temple
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
marketing-books
David Ogilvy thought deeply about advertising and produced great results for his clients.
I really enjoyed this. David Ogilvy lays out his wisdom on all aspects of the advertising industry: how to write an ad, how to run an agency, how the industry works, and how to get a job in it. His focus is on print, and to a lesser degree television, and there is a heavier emphasis on copy than on art direction, which suits me just fine. And he loves research: he's less interested in fads and fashions than he is in what is actually proven to work.
Is this stuff still relevant in the internet ag...more
Is this stuff still relevant in the internet ag...more
Sep 14, 2007
Partha
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
insights on advertising from the legend
Shelves:
advertising
David Ogilvy is a class apart in advertising..
“At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock.” who can ever forget this ad that made David Ogilvy famous..
the story goes that rolls royce gave the campaign brief as 'create an ad that people would read and never forget..' and with a very tight budget..
Ogilvy's stress on research was at the forefront of the campaign..
Very few professionals in the advertising laid so much stress on research and data to be...more
“At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock.” who can ever forget this ad that made David Ogilvy famous..
the story goes that rolls royce gave the campaign brief as 'create an ad that people would read and never forget..' and with a very tight budget..
Ogilvy's stress on research was at the forefront of the campaign..
Very few professionals in the advertising laid so much stress on research and data to be...more
I re-read it in 2010, expecting it to have a great deal of relevance for the Social Media and Web age. It didn't. The days (and style) of Ogilvy, sadly, are past it seems. Still thoroughly enjoyable for a historical perspective on the glory days of Advertising. Also great advice on how to manage large accounts in any professional services business. As you'd expect, the language is fantastic too.
Being of Mass Comm background, THIS book clarified my doubts and fears as it strengthens and solidifies my beliefs in advertising. Thoroughly written (well obviously!) it magnifies and pinpoints my inner advertiser in the right direction. All this while, I understood vaguely what advertising really is about and this book spotlighted the whole idea. Perhaps there are some part less relevant to what's current but almost everything else is relatable and recyclable. Old school is cool!
A good read fo...more
A good read fo...more
This book is timeless. I read it over 6 years ago and didn't appreciate it as much, just started reading it again after working in products, and find it interesting to see how the same advertizing ideas can apply to modern day product marketing. Reading the same story twice brings out a different idea every time! Brilliant narrative.
This was a quick read. Light and fun in parts. More directed toward someone looking to understand how the advertising business has worked, rather than instructive about good advertising. Had elements of a cranky old advertising master sitting back and telling stories about how other people had gotten it all wrong.
A quick, fun, punchy and insightful read. No wonder this book is still so widely read. This is a useful read not only for ad people but for anyone in professional services. I highly recommend it whether you are in advertising (which means you already read it) or in any type of professional service industry.
Truth be told I read this book the first time around over 20 years ago. Its as relevant today as it was then. A true classic in every sense of the word.
Only available in hard copy and long out of print, I had to locate one used in the US and ship it to the UK. Well worth the wait.
Only available in hard copy and long out of print, I had to locate one used in the US and ship it to the UK. Well worth the wait.
I fabulous book on managing the process. The biggest takeaway I got, or at least my favorite quote is about hiring. Paraphrasing, if you hire people better than you, you will be a company of giants. If you hire people weaker than you, you will become a company of dwarfs.
An excellent insight into some of the campaigns Ogilvy used but also campaigns he didn't but admired from other people. Interesting how some techniques haven't been used for some time but may work if they were revived and brought up to date.
A classic. Very entertaining writing style. I got interested in Ogilvy after first reading an excellent biography about him, "The King of Madison Avenue." Great insights in this book, most of which have stood the test of (internet) time.
Love the sheer wit and honesty of this book. Anyone involved in marketing and advertising must get this book. Contains examples and highlights and insider's look at the bizarre yet compelling ad industry. A must-read for copywriters too.
Essentially an expanded and illustrated second edition of Confessions of an Advertising Man, Ogilvy continues to rail against reverse type and head-less advertising; some of his less relevant admonitions. But his endless preaching to the virtues of thorough research -- market, consumer, product, positioning, etc. -- are timeless and invaluable.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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He was a great mind, he'd dominate today as well, he offers a brillant perspective on advertising, writing for attention and he masters the art of the attitude needed to succeed in a rough business.
Read this 20 years ago and am reading again. It's dated now of course, but he's such a marketing & advertising genius. Many of his principles still apply today!
Wow! This is classic but a little outdated book. But the principles still apply in any medium we may come up with to advertise. This is a good foundation book to read.
Brilliant book. Understand that this is considered a bible in the Advertising world. One could derive an abstract perspective on the 'mind' aspects of Marketing!
Jul 05, 2008
Nurkastelia A.
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everybody! i mean, really, EVERYBODY!
Recommended to Nurkastelia by:
advertising professor
Shelves:
must-read
Oh, i love this book so much for a number of reasons:
1. Most of the pages are in color. so we can see those vintage ads Ogilvy's done.
2. The pages are in glossy. That's always a plus.
3. This man can REALLY sell anything, imho. i love his writings in this book. even though it's supposed to teach us a lot oabout advertising, the tone is conversational... as if it's a monologue from my grandpa or something.
4. He's fair. If he doesn't like an ad that he did, he'd tell you exactly that. and if he lov...more
1. Most of the pages are in color. so we can see those vintage ads Ogilvy's done.
2. The pages are in glossy. That's always a plus.
3. This man can REALLY sell anything, imho. i love his writings in this book. even though it's supposed to teach us a lot oabout advertising, the tone is conversational... as if it's a monologue from my grandpa or something.
4. He's fair. If he doesn't like an ad that he did, he'd tell you exactly that. and if he lov...more
Best ad book ever. Best sales book ever. one of the best inter and intra personal books ever. The last best ad man.
"...works to beat the band on a peppercorn budget" is a quote from david ogilvy in this book. he's talking about an ad campaign that was effective and didn't cost much to produce, but see how much more boring it was when i described it?
this is far and away the best-written, most entertaining ad industry book out there. pretty much every page has something hilarious and quotable on it. but just a few words of caution: if you work in advertising, please don't attempt to follow any of the advice in...more
this is far and away the best-written, most entertaining ad industry book out there. pretty much every page has something hilarious and quotable on it. but just a few words of caution: if you work in advertising, please don't attempt to follow any of the advice in...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Effectivness of Ogilvy on Advertising | 3 | 20 | Jul 06, 2012 12:09pm |
