Confessions of an Advertising Man

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.

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.

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.

I am a freshmen marketing mojor at Johnson & Wales University and let me just say that this book is outstanding. There are concepts in this book that no marketing professor will ever teach you! David Ogilvy is an advertising genius! If your looking for a great book that will give you a tremendous leap forward in the marketing/advertising industry, this is the book to pick up. I checked this book out at the local library, but i loved it so much that i am planning on picking up my own copy of the book!

CONFESSIONS OF AN ADVERTISING MAN makes two important contributions to students and young business people. First this book provides a treasure trove of highly valued best practices, applicable to all professions. Second, through its longevity, CONFESSIONS has transformed into an impartial looking glass focused on the predjudices and sexisim so easily accepted by industrial society during the late fifties and early sixties. For those born into a more accepting society, CONFESSIONS will provide non-judgemental insight into many common additudes of that era. The social relevance of CONFESSIONS results from its original 1963 publishing date. This same age bolsters the importance of the books business message. After all, few non-fiction books age like fine wine. Most turn to vinegar within weeks or months.