David Ogilvy Quotes

A collection of quotes by David Ogilvy.

David Ogilvy, born on June 23, 1911, in West Horsley, England, was a renowned advertising executive. Often referred to as the "Father of Advertising," Ogilvy built a successful career by revolutionizing the industry with his innovative strategies and creative campaigns.

After attending Oxford University, Ogilvy started his professional journey as a chef, door-to-door salesman, and farmer, gaining valuable life experiences along the way. In the early 1930s, he decided to move to the United States, where he eventually found his true passion in advertising.

In 1948, Ogilvy established his own advertising agency, Ogilvy & Mather, in New York City. His agency quickly gained prominence for its distinctive approach, focusing on thorough research and utilizing consumer insights to craft compelling campaigns. This approach set Ogilvy apart from his competitors, leading to the rapid growth and success of his agency.

Over the years, Ogilvy created numerous memorable ad campaigns for renowned brands such as Rolls-Royce, Dove, and American Express. His work stood out for its wit, charm, and ability to connect with consumers on an emotional level, making his campaigns highly effective.

Beyond his advertising prowess, Ogilvy was known for his elegant and persuasive writing style, evident in his influential book "Confessions of an Advertising Man" published in 1963. This book served as a guide for aspiring advertisers, sharing his valuable insights and principles.

David Ogilvy's impact on the advertising industry is immeasurable. His commitment to creativity, research, and understanding consumer behavior set new standards that continue to shape the industry today. Ogilvy passed away on July 21, 1999, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the most influential figures in advertising.

The consumer isn't a moron. She is your wife.

The consumer isn't a moron. She is your wife.

The relationship between a manufacturer and his advertising

The relationship between a manufacturer and his advertising agency is almost as intimate as the relationship between a patient and his doctor. Make sure that you can life happily with your prospective client before you accept his account.

Relationship

Never write an advertisement which you wouldn't want your ow

Never write an advertisement which you wouldn't want your own family to read. You wouldn't tell lies to your own wife. Don't tell them to mine. Do as you would be done by. If you tell lies about a product, you will be found out -- either by the Government, which will prosecute you, or by the consumer, who will punish you by not buying your product a second time. Good products can be sold by honest advertising. If you don't think the product is good, you have no business to be advertising it.

Business

The most important word in the vocabulary of advertising is

The most important word in the vocabulary of advertising is TEST. If you pretest your product with consumers, and pretest your advertising, you will do well in the marketplace.

Business

If each of us hires people smaller than we are, we shall bec

If each of us hires people smaller than we are, we shall become a company of dwarfs.

Business

Set exorbitant standards, and give your people hell when the

Set exorbitant standards, and give your people hell when they don't live up to them. There is nothing so demoralizing as a boss who tolerates second rate work.

Excellence

I always said that mega-mergers were for megalomaniacs.

I always said that mega-mergers were for megalomaniacs.

Corporations

A well-run restaurant is like a winning baseball team. It ma

A well-run restaurant is like a winning baseball team. It makes the most of every crew member's talent and takes advantage of every split-second opportunity to speed up service.

Teamwork

What you say in advertising is more important than how you s

What you say in advertising is more important than how you say it.

Advertising

I don't know the rules of grammar. If you're trying to persu

I don't know the rules of grammar. If you're trying to persuade people to do something, or buy something, it seems to me you should use their language.

Persuasion

I have a theory that the best ads come from personal experie

I have a theory that the best ads come from personal experience. Some of the good ones I have done have really come out of the real experience of my life, and somehow this has come over as true and valid and persuasive.

Experience

Advertising is a business of words, but advertising agencies

Advertising is a business of words, but advertising agencies are infested with men and women who cannot write. They cannot write advertisements, and they cannot write plans. They are helpless as deaf mutes on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera.

Business

Advertising reflects the mores of society, but it does not i

Advertising reflects the mores of society, but it does not influence them.

Society

Our business is infested with idiots who try to impress by u

Our business is infested with idiots who try to impress by using pretentious jargon.

Business

The secret of long life is double careers. One to about age

The secret of long life is double careers. One to about age sixty, then another for the next thirty years.

Age

Remove advertising, disable a person or firm from proclaimin

Remove advertising, disable a person or firm from proclaiming its wares and their merits, and the whole of society and of the economy is transformed. The enemies of advertising are the enemies of freedom.

Freedom

The consumer isn't a moron she is your wife.

The consumer isn't a moron she is your wife.

Business

Leaders grasp nettles.

Leaders grasp nettles.

Leadership

The best ideas come as jokes. Make your thinking as funny as

The best ideas come as jokes. Make your thinking as funny as possible.

Best

Never write an advertisement which you wouldn't want your fa

Never write an advertisement which you wouldn't want your family to read. You wouldn't tell lies to your own wife. Don't tell them to mine.

Family