Quotations of David Ogilvy

Anyone who is in marketing or advertising would have heard of David Ogilvy. When I first started as a junior ‘suit’ in an international advertising agency about maybe ten years or so ago, a lot of the senior staff recommended us to read books by Ogilvy.

Though long gone, he is still known as the guru in the advertising industry and Ogilvy’s ideals are still relevant in today’s world. He has written books like Ogilvy on Advertising and Confessions of an Advertising Man.

I happened to stumble upon a book on my colleague’s desk called Quotations of David Ogilvy. The book featured quotes by Ogilvy himself compiled from the many notes and books that he has written. This book is not available in the market and is apparently provided as a starter kit for those who have just been employed by Ogilvy & Mather. (I’m wondering why I never got a copy when I was in Ogilvy…)

I of course loaned the book from my colleague to read some of the quotes. The book covers all aspects of advertising from creatives to account management to branding and even other quotes related to leadership and excellence.

The book was easy to read and the quotes pretty insightful and I feel still relevant in today’s working world not just advertising. Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book:

On leadership:

“Do not summon people to your office- it frightens them. Instead go to see them in their offices. This makes you visible throughout the agency. A chairman who never wanders about his agency becomes a hermit, out of touch with his staff’- Principles of Management

On work:

“I believe in the Scottish proverb: “Hard work never killed a man.” Men die of boredom, psychological conflict and disease. They do not die of hard work.”- Principles of Management

On efficiency:

“In the best establishments, promises are often kept, whatever it may cost in agony and overtime” – Confessions of an Advertising Man

By the way, many thanks to Creative Ramblings for loaning me the book.

Note: This book counts as the fourth book read for the Non-Fiction Five Challenge.