Ogilvy on Advertising Paperback – March 12, 1985

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+

I like the content of the book itself, however, the end of each line is cut off from the way the book is bound which has become annoying line after line and page after page.I’ve included a photo for reference.

This book is amazing! Not only does Ogilvy write in a very clear and straightforward manner, but he has examples of everything he advises you to do. There are dozens of excellent examples from throughout his career and I'm so grateful. He even includes plenty of ads that he doesn't like and explains why.Other authors expect you to figure out how to implement their advice. Not only does Ogilvy have the best advice but he shows you exact examples of it. Exceptional!

If you wanted to become a heart surgeon and could learn from Dr. DeBakke, you would certainly do it. If your goal was to climb Mt. Everest and Sir Edmund Hillary wanted to offer up advice, you'd certainly take it. And if it is your aspiration to work in marketing, reading the works of David Ogilvy is almost a prerequisite. Though he came along much later than the "pioneers" of advertising, there is no debate that Ogilvy revolutionized marketing.The fascinating thing for me, as I read OGILVY ON ADVERTISING, was not Ogilvy's brilliance, but rather his common sense approach to advertising. Since people buy magazines for the articles, not for the ads, it only makes sense to make your ads LOOK like an article. And if you're offering a savings, it only makes sense to instruct the reader on how to determine how much they will save with your product.The book is also laden with time-tested ads that work, and some that clearly don't. This is like a 200 page swipe file of some of the greatest ads ever. If marketing or copywriting is calling your name, read this book.