Oct 19, 2009

Ad Man's Book of The Month: October 2009 Choice


David Ogilvy - Ogilvy on Advertising



To work in advertising and not having read this book is a sin. Ogilvy on Advertising is a must read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills. It is not just the greatest book of all times written about advertising.

The book includes advertising history, a
guide: how to create advertising that sells and a fascinating tale of Ogilvy & Mather advertising agency.

David Ogilvy knew more about advertising than probably any other man on Earth. He also made "knowing more" his ad agency's unique selling proposition. Advertising is people business and he did the best to train his talent, rather than hire from outside. The minute you stop learning, you stop growing. He knew that too. Ogilvy's wisdom, standards and approach is unmatched in the advertising business even today.

What you can learn from him

Read this book. It includes a very good reading list from David Ogilvy for all you mad men out there. Starting as a salesman his approach to advertising is accessible and easy to understand. To summarize how he felt on advertising read this quote from him: "If it doesn't sell, it isn't creative".

The book reveals:
  • How to produce advertising that sells
  • How to get a job in an advertising agency - or in any business
  • How to run an advertising agency
  • How to get clients
  • How to choose the right agency for your company
  • How to advertise on TV
  • And over 20 other advertising secrets

David Ogilvy's secret weapon

He used it to get more clients. What was The Secret Weapon? Is it something you could use as well if you knew what it was? It and many other tested methods and advertising techniques can be found in his book.

" 'Ogilvy on Advertising' is the reason why
I am in the advertising "

Without exaggeration I have read "Ogilvy on Advertising" over ten times. Even when it has been almost 10 years since I first discovered this bible of advertising, I still review its ageless wisdom when in doubt.


In my case I was blessed (and very, very lucky) having read Ogilvy's book as my first, before reading any other books about advertising. It opened my eyes wide open about how advertising that sells is created - and how it's not created. If my first book about advertising had been for example "Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This" I might be doing something else instead. No offense, Luke.


P.S. If you are working in online marketing "Ogilvy on Advertising" is more relevant to you than ever before.



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