Confessions of an Advertising Man 

By David Ogilvy
Originally published: 1962
192 pages

I’ve read Confessions of an Advertising Man more than once. So has just about every copywriter I know. Ogilvy was not only very successful as a developer of brand advertising, he was very good at direct marketing, which he believed was one of the reasons his brand advertising worked so well.

What I Like About It 

Ogilvy figured out how advertising works long before I got into the game. And now, thirty years after I stopped working in advertising, I still find this book (Ogilvy on Advertising, too) very deep and very smart.

What I Don’t Like 

I wish he would have written more about direct response advertising – my side of the divide.

Critical Reception 

* “Ogilvy is the creative force of modern advertising.” – New York Times 

* “It’s a classic. I tell my students if you’re going to read a book about advertising, start with that one.” – Investor’s Business Daily 

* “Throughout [the book] you will find deep insights on management, candor, and company culture.” – The Huffington Post