Confessions of an Advertising Man [Paperback]

David Ogilvy (Author), Sir Alan Parker (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

David Ogilvy was an advertising genius. At the age of 37, he founded the New York-based agency that later merged to form the international company known as Ogilvy & Mather. Regarded as the father of modern advertising, Ogilvy was responsible for some of the most memorable advertising campaigns ever created. Confessions of an Advertising Man is the distillation of all the Ogilvy concepts, tactics, and techniques that made this international best-seller a blueprint for sound business practice. If you aspire to be a good manager in any business, this seminal work is a must-read.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ogilvy is the creative force of modern advertising."  —New York Times

From the Publisher

David Ogilvy was an advertising genius. At the age of 37, he founded the New York–based agency that later merged to form the international company known as Ogilvy & Mather. Regarded as the father of modern advertising, Ogilvy was responsible for some of the most memorable advertising campaigns ever created. Confessions of an Advertising Man is the distillation of all the Ogilvy concepts, tactics, and techniques that made this international best–seller a blueprint for sound business practice. If you aspire to be a good manager in any business, this seminal work is a must–read.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Southbank Publishing (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904915019
• ISBN-13: 978-1904915010
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > Business & Investing > Marketing & Sales > Advertising
  • #84 in Books > Business & Investing > Biography & History > Company Profiles
  • #99 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Professionals & Academics > Business

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He changed my life, September 4, 2005

By 

Bruce G. Silverman (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confessions of an Advertising Man (Paperback)

I first read "Confessions" in 1967 when I was a law student who had figured out he didn't want to be a lawyer. After reading it, I decided that I belonged on Madison Avenue... and that I HAD to work at Ogilvy & Mather. I somehow talked my way into a job there... as a mailboy... and by the time I left a decade and a half later, I was one of the agency's top creative people. I recently retired... after a 38-year career in advertising at five different agencies. "Confessions" remains the best guide ever about how to run an agency, and how to hire one. And David Ogilvy was, without a doubt, the best boss I ever had.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic from One of the Masters, March 24, 2004

By 

James Sadler (Plano, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confessions of an Advertising Man (Paperback)

While not as detailed or colorfully illustrated as his later work "Ogilvy on Advertsing," this is still a classic fillld with great information. The book is clearly a precursor to "Ogilvy on Advertising," as many of the same elements can be found in it.

Ogilvy has a wonderfully casual, yet occassionally pompous, style to his writing, but he clearly knows and understands advertising. He manages that rare combination of managing to teach while entertaining. Sometimes his ego and pride come across too strongly, but given the man's accomplishments, I'll cut him slack. And you may wonder why he starts off discussing his days as a chef in Paris, but he does a great job of analogizing that experience to his experiences with running an ad agency.

Highly recommended for anyone involved in advertising, particularly copywriters. Ogilvy was a copywriter and he clearly has a special admiration for those who write copy for a living. He also has great advice to share for anyone in advertising.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Confess "David Ogilvy" He's The Man!!, June 10, 2005

By 

Deremiah *CPE "Inspirational Speaking Star & ... (Saint Charles, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Confessions of an Advertising Man (Paperback)

While in Uptown on the Northside of Chicago I found this amazing book at a used book store. What David shares with his listening audience is very inspirational. Besides giving you an amazing foundation David teaches you the following:

How to manage an advertising agency (admire people who work hard)
How to get clients
How to keep clients
How to be a good client
How to Build great campaigns
How to write potent copy
How to illustrate advertisements and posters
How to make good television commercials
How to make good campaigns for food products, Tourist destinations and proprietary medicines
How to rise to the top of the tree--advise to the young

Well these are only a few of the very powerful items that David Ogilvy shares. If you would like to know more just remember you will when you buy this book. It's just a wonderful resource that's well put together. When you read it you will agree. This book needs one more very important person....YOU.

These are a few main key concepts that attracted me to this book.