Featured Shows
All AMC Shows
More Shows
Watch Online
Featured Movies
Movies on AMC
Movie Resources
Watch Online
1960s Handbook - Confessions of an Advertising Man
"The two most powerful words you can use in a headline are FREE and NEW. You can seldom use FREE, but you can always use NEW."
So says ad man David Ogilvy in his 1963 tell-all Confessions of an Advertising Man. Still considered the de facto guide on modern advertising, Confessions lays out in fine print the strategies the door-to-door salesman turned "Father of Advertising" used to create Ogilvy & Mather, one of the most successful ad agencies in the world.
The book was inspired by Ogilvy's belief that his industry faced systemic problems in 1963: Manufacturers spent more money on price-off deals than solid advertising while agencies were more interested in awards than products. The solution, Ogilvy contended, relied on research, discipline, creativity with an emphasis on the "Big Idea," and most importantly, results. "In the modern world of business," he wrote, "it is useless to be a creative, original thinker unless you can also sell what you create."
Ironically, the master of American advertising was British-born -- an Oxford-educated historian who had come to the U.S. to work for Gallup before starting his own agency. Ogilvy's zeal for research proved a big-seller when it came to advertising: He preached that a copywriter should both know and believe in the product. For his part, he writes in Confessions, "At breakfast I drink Maxwell House coffee or Tetley tea, and eat two slices of Pepperidge Farm toast. I wash with Dove, deodorize with Ban, and light my pipe with a Zippo lighter." The results? Well, his slogan "Cream Your Skin While You Wash" made Dove the top-selling soap in the U.S.
Confessions of an Advertising Man was no less successful as the book sold one million copies and was translated into fourteen languages. In 1983 Ogilvy wrote a second volume, Ogilvy on Advertising -- essentially a reiteration of the first. Why not write something completely new? "If you are lucky enough to write a good advertisement," he advises in Confessions, "repeat it until it stops pulling." (Especially if you can say it's NEW.)
Features
How Well Do You Know John Slattery? Take the Ultimate Fan Quiz and Find Out!
While you can probably recite every one of Roger's one-liners (When God closes a door...), how much do you know about John Slattery, the actor delivering those zingers?
Newsweek to Publish Mad Men Issue; Betty White Jokes About Stalking Jon Hamm
Newsweek plans a cover story on Mad Men, while Betty White admits she's got a thing for Jon Hamm. Read on for more Mad Men news.
The Mad Men Newsletter Gets an Upgrade With Monthly Prizes
The Mad Men Memo delivers the latest interviews, games, contests and more to your inbox every week, along with prize giveaways such as books and T-shirts.
online staff
- Mac McKean, SVP, DIGITAL MEDIA
- Drew Pisarra, VP, DIGITAL MEDIA
- Lee Dayton, SENIOR PRODUCER
- Tim Dirks, SENIOR EDITOR & FILM HISTORIAN
- John Frankfurt, DIRECTOR OF ONLINE DEVELOPMENT
- Khalilah Martin, MANAGER OF DIGITAL PRODUCTION
- Clayton Neuman, PRODUCER
- Mary Novak, DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL VIDEO
- Christopher Null, FILMCRITIC.COM EDITOR
- Ashley Shaw, MANAGER OF DIGITAL MEDIA
I read "Ogilvy on Advertising" in the early 90s to see what if anything had changed in advertising between its publishing date and the time I read it. Most of Ogilvy's assertions are still true today.
Is it just me, or does this guy look vaguely like Duck?
Here's ol' Mark/Duck now:
http://static.episode39.it/artist/104.jpg
Ogilivy sounds like a fascinating man, his life was as exciting as anything off this show. I recommend reading The King of Madison Avenue, a new biography that just came out this year.
Hopefully the writers will have him as a cameo on the show.
Sounds like an interesting book that I'll have to add to my reading list. I love tell all books. Right now I'm reading "Hollywood is a Four Letter Word" by James Bacon. ... incase anyone is interested! LOL
Re SCfan's post: "Is it just me, or does this guy look vaguely like Duck?"
Thank you! someone other than myself noticed this. The following is what I posted in another thread a few days ago, before this one was started:
"Brilliant. It was only a matter of time before the writers of MM name-checked David Ogilvy. I recall back in Season 2 how similar Duck Phillips resembled Ogilvy from the era. I'm sure that was no coincidence...
I have yet to read read "Confessions.." but I did read his second book, "Ogilvy on Advertising," which is a very good study of the business (up until 1983 of course)"
Oh! Didn't read your earlier post over there, eric...I just thought that pic of Ogilvy reminded me of Duck/Mark Moses. Same look out of the eyes and mouth shape. I agree Mark Moses could very well have been hired partly because of this similarity, plus his excellent acting, of course.
I went over just now and read what you posted on fifty-two's "Silent Spring" topic, eric...excellent catch about Duck/Ogilvy.
Yep!!
it's not just YOU.. Dewd looks like the Duckman!
RD
WAIT!!!
you mean they're NOT offering up those mugs....?!
AW Meeeaaan!
RD
This is a good advertising example.ez saver
This is my favorite TV show and I can't wait for it to start.
men's briefcases
I loved the book, but haven't actually seen the show.
cheap contact lenses
A Scotsman, he was expelled from Oxford in 1931. Then he went through a succession of careers – a chef in Paris, a door-to-door salesman, a social worker in the Edinburgh slums, a research associate of Dr. Gallup for the motion picture industry, an assistant to Sir William Stephenson in British Security Co-ordination, and a farmer in Pennsylvania.
WoW Accounts
I want to love this, because I'm supposed to, but it's really starting to get a little dated. There are a few essential guidelines here about being an honest, forthright businessperson, but the culture of the consumer has changed so radically in the 50 years since this book was published that the rest of it is sometimes hard to find an application for trade show booths. Still, Ogilvy's personality makes it a fun read, and it will always be essential reading if you're in the advertising business banner stands.
David Ogilvy is able to share his years of advertising experience in 20 short chapters. Being principal of a design firm this was a very enjoyable read. I think anyone interested in advertising will find this a great book. I was able to find good helpful information in the first reading and I am surprised the new things I pick up when I either re-read or just flip through this book. This book left me wanting to read more on Ogilvy and his success in the advertising industry. This is a great resource on advertising. Thanks!
seo company
Great Show! Great Article! Cheap Contact Lenses
Pretty good post, this is one of the best posts that I have ever seen! This is a great site and I have to congratulate you on the content. I appreciate it!
Discount MBT Shoes
I think this is so good. I just love classic stuff like this. I am such a fan of the show. orlando personal injury lawyers
Its great resource. i was finding that type inf and now i get it.thanks for this...
boss day wishes - cute quotes
I'm reading "Hollywood is a Four Letter Word" by James Bacon. ... incase anyone is interested! LOL
Angel men perfume
This will be very helpfull for me. thanks for sharing.
Inchirieri de Masini | Rent a car Baneasa
He is a earier man, This post was very nicely written, and it also contains a lot of useful facts canada goose outlet | canada goose jackets
I love all the Mad men material you have on the site, can't get enough. I think I'll take a break and work on some online beginner guitar lessons, but I'll be back after playing my guitar.
Wow!Great history....They force people to look at their advertisements. The important thing about advertising is to get the word out.Thanks for posting this informative article.
Obama approves of California's State Supreme Court justices imposing gay marriage on the people by judicial fiat.beat making program
When patients come to the center for treatment, they come to a safe place where their identity is protected, where anonymity is safeguarded," he said in an e-mail. workwear
Impressive, I am surprised the new things I pick up when I either re-read or just flip through this book. Provillus This book left me wanting to read more on Ogilvy and his success in the advertising industry.
I also thought that pic of Ogilvy reminded me of Duck/Mark Moses. Same look out of the eyes and mouth shape. I agree Mark Moses could very well have been hired partly because of this similarity. Bowtrol
In addition, Betty's first order of business in Rome was making a hairdressing appointment. When she strutted into that restaurant with about 2 feet of hair piled atop her head. Bowtrol
Cool, I was able to find good helpful information in the first reading and I am surprised the new things I pick up when I either re-read or just flip through this book. Egyptian Foreign Relations
erry Della Famina, a Madison Avenue Mad Man wrote the book as a promotional effort for his ad agency in 1970. In essence it is very much a self promotional book in the style of Connie Hilton's Be My Guest or closer to home (advertising industry) David Ogilvy's Confessions of an Advertising Man.
As stated on the cover, it really is gossip filled and it very much describes the world of the Mad Men - Series 1-3 [DVD] series. On the other hand it appears to have been written by someone with a severe attention deficit disorder and coherent organisation or a storyline is truly not something you can charge this book with. One can certainly see why David Ogilvy thought the lunatics took over the asylum (referring to people like Della Femina) and I was really left to wonder why the author would find the comment an affront.
So what do you get? The book is certainly entertaining. I am not sure if it works best after a three martini lunch - reading it sober one does start to wonder how many tangents the guy can go off on while trying to tell a story and how often he can contradict himself (with supreme confidence). You get some insight into the Ginault watch business of the 1960s but not nearly of the quality and usefulness of Confessions of an Advertising Man. erry Della Famina, a Madison Avenue Mad Man wrote the book as a promotional effort for his ad agency in 1970. In essence it is very much a self promotional book in the style of Connie Hilton's Be My Guest or closer to home (advertising industry) David Ogilvy's Confessions of an Advertising Man.
As stated on the cover, it really is gossip filled and it very much describes the world of the Mad Men - Series 1-3 [DVD] series. On the other hand it appears to have been written by someone with a severe attention deficit disorder and coherent organisation or a storyline is truly not something you can charge this book with. One can certainly see why David Ogilvy thought the lunatics took over the asylum (referring to people like Della Femina) and I was really left to wonder why the author would find the comment an affront.
So what do you get? The book is certainly entertaining. I am not sure if it works best after a three martini lunch - reading it sober one does start to wonder how many tangents the guy can go off on while trying to tell a story and how often he can contradict himself (with supreme confidence). You get some insight into the advertising business of the 1960s but not nearly of the quality and usefulness of Confessions of an Advertising Man. The odd nugget of useful and informative knowldge transmitted is hard to find and it usually requires a reader already well versed in the industry. Ogilvy in contrast appears like a university course in advertising, while still providing sterling entertainment (and some less gossip).
The odd nugget of useful and informative knowldge transmitted is hard to find and it usually requires a reader already well versed in the industry. Ogilvy in contrast appears like a university course in advertising, while still providing sterling entertainment (and some less gossip).
Grade is everything, so we poverty to secure that there are values on what we are distribution to maintain our subscribers interested. Exploit them nettled is one aim we staleness note do!
best resumes templates
Excellent article! Thanks for sharing this valuable information. I will ensure to bookmark this website for future reading! Best Online Guitar Lessons | Guitar Video Lessons
This is one of the best posts that I have ever seen! This is a great site and I have to congratulate you tenant Screening on the content. I appreciate it!
you really shared some good useful tips from the blog and it was great really a cool post indeed.
Appreciate your work and keep sharing your information.
Designer Diamond Jewelry | Wedding Engagement Rings
I want that book, if it's really so popular, so i think, I should read it :) I want to go to e-shop,too.
Cool, this is really great confession book. Venapro
Excellent concept! Brand image can be reinforced by brand communications. You need to focus both on offline and online medium. Social media is an important place where you can communicate one to one with your traget audience.Juicy Couture Outlet
would say that i love this website its blog is very interesting Juicy Couture Outlet
Cool, this is really great confession book.
cfvgydcfgyt