Books › Ogilvy on advertising
Ogilvy on advertising
First published 1983 · 230 pages
A masterclass in persuasion delivered over a stiff drink by a sharply dressed, unapologetic industry titan.
What it feels like
Reading this feels like sitting across a mahogany desk from a legendary ad man who is generously, if bluntly, handing you the keys to the kingdom. The pace is brisk and punchy, driven by crisp, aphoristic prose that wastes no time on theoretical fluff. Instead, you are immersed in a pragmatic, energetic atmosphere where commerce is treated as a serious, measurable science rather than a mystical art. The tone is fiercely opinionated, witty, and unapologetic, reflecting the swagger of the golden age of advertising. It delights readers who crave actionable wisdom and psychological insight, offering an empowering journey from curious observer to initiated insider, armed with timeless principles on how to capture attention and persuade the human mind.
- Mood
- energetic
- intellectually stimulating
- mid-century corporate
- Tone
- authoritative
- witty
- opinionated
- pragmatic
- unapologetic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- psychology of persuasion · art versus commerce · professional mastery · value of research
- The writing
- Crisp, aphoristic, and relentlessly clear, favoring short sentences and punchy declarations.
- The arc
- The reader moves from a state of curious apprenticeship to feeling empowered by timeless, hard-won professional wisdom.
- Who it's for
- Marketers, copywriters, and anyone fascinated by the mechanics of persuasion and the golden age of advertising.
Content notes
- outdated gender norms
About the book
This primer on all aspects of advertising was written by the founder of Ogilvy & Mather, an advertising agency with 450 offices in 120 countries. This text covers what does as well as what does not sell, and is illustrated with 185 advertisements.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Ogilvy on advertising
See why they match
Confessions of an advertising manDavid OgilvyA masterclass in persuasion delivered over a three-martini lunch by the sharpest mind on Madison Avenue.
AdvertisingWells, William and John BurnettA structured, comprehensive dive into the mechanics and effectiveness of commercial persuasion.
The Advertising Concept BookPete BarryA practical, focused guide that prioritizes strategic thinking over immediate design in the world of advertising.
Advertising secrets of the written wordJoseph SugarmanA methodical and insightful dive into the psychological triggers and structural elements that make written words sell.
CashvertisingDrew Eric WhitmanA brisk, highly pragmatic exploration of the psychological levers that drive human decision-making and consumer behavior.
The hidden persuadersVance PackardAn investigative journey into the minds of the psychologists who engineer consumer desire.