Confessions of an Advertising Man

David Ogilvy’s Confessions of an Advertising Man isn’t just a book—it’s a masterclass in creativity, leadership, and business brilliance. Decades after its first publication, its lessons remain razor-sharp, proving that true genius never goes out of style.Ogilvy, the legendary "father of advertising," pulls back the curtain on what makes great campaigns—and great agencies—tick. His insights on crafting compelling ads, winning clients, and building a respected brand are gold, but what truly sets this book apart is its wisdom on leadership. His principles on hiring, office culture ("we detest office politicians, toadies, and pompous asses"), and ethical business practices feel refreshingly relevant in today’s corporate world.Written with wit, candor, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Confessions is more than an advertising guide—it’s a manifesto for doing business with integrity and imagination. Whether you’re in marketing, management, or just love sharp thinking, this book belongs on your shelf.A five-star classic that still inspires generations. If you want to learn from the best, start here.

A blend of wisdom and humor—I loved this book. Some parts had me laughing out loud at how true they were, and I highlighted so many lines—some I could apply to life, others directly to work. Even though it was first published in 1963, Ogilvy’s insights still hit home. If you’re in the business of storytelling, this is a must-read. No matter how long you’ve been in advertising, it’s a great way to ground yourself in the fundamentals. A perfect refresher for veterans and required reading for those just starting out.

While this version of the book is dated 2011, David Ogilvy died in 1999, so don't expect new additions or improvements from Olgivy to this timeless classic on advertising. That said, this remarkable book passed the million copy threshold over 20 years ago, and there are good reasons for its enduring success. Basically, it is simple, direct and easy to read, like good advertising copy. If you are interested in advertising, this is a book that has stood the test of time. If you want to read more reviews, you can check out an earlier (presumably out of print) version of this book.According to Ogilvy, he originally wrote this book in 1962 in order to attract new clients to his advertising agency, to condition the market for a public offering of Ogilvy's shares, and to make himself better known in the business world. I think it's fair to say that he succeeded on all three points. Although Ogilvy subsequently stated that if he were to write this book again, he would be "less indiscreet, less boastful and less didactic," the book doesn't strike me as overly boastful or pompous. You would expect an advertising man to be sold on his own ideas.Ogilvy gets straight to the heart of matters for advertisers. Here is how he organized the book:1. How to manage an advertising agency.2. How to get clients.3. How to keep clients.4. How to be a good client.5. How to build great campaigns.6. How to write potent copy.7. How to illustrate advertisements and posters.8. How to make good television commercials.9. How to make good campaigns for food products, tourist destinations and proprietary medicines.10. How to rise to the top of the tree--advice to the young.11. Should advertising be abolished?Although you may not read this book in one sitting, it is short enough and interesting enough that it won't take you very long to finish reading it. Finally, to give more flavor to Ogilvy's approach to advertising, here are a few of his more famous thoughts:"Tell the truth, but make the truth fascinating.""Big ideas are usually simple ideas.""It is important to admit your mistakes and to do so before you are charged with them.""In the best establishments, promise are always kept, whatever it may cost in agony and overtime.""Tolerate genius."And one of my favorites (which I've shortened), because it shows a blend of insight and self-awareness: "It is a mistake to use highfalutin language when advertising... I once used the word "obsolete" in a headline, only to discover that 33% of [readers] had no idea what it meant. In another headline I used the word "ineffable," only to discover that I didn't know what it meant myself."

David Ogilvy is arguably the man who built modern advertising in the United States. This book, written in the 60s, has some outdated parts - but most of the knowledge about how our fellow humans think, how to influence them, and most importantly how to make an idea stick in their head is timeless.For anyone involved in any kind of work selling products, ideas, or politics, it's an essential read.

David Ogilvy founded the legendary ad agence Ogilvy, Benson & Mather. After 15 years he wrote this book which is part biography and part advice for anyone buying or producing ad copy. He is very clear about what he thinks works and why, and he writes beautifully about it. As such, it's a great read.However, the Kindle version (which I read) has so so many typos, misaligned paragraphs and other errors, that had it been a physical book, I would have returned to the book seller for a full refund. Really shoddy work. Mr Ogilvy would have been deeply embarrassed by the lack of quality.

Ogilvy’s book is full of practical wisdom about how to run a business, be successful, and run successful advertisements. I’m surprised by the timeless nature of his wisdom. He was advertising in age of magazines and newspapers, but his thoughts are equally applicable to websites, content marketing, and YouTube. He would have been just as effective a marketer in today’s environment as he was in his own time.

Don’t let the old timey vocabulary distract you from getting the most out of this book.The second half should be required reading for anyone trying to sell online.