8-MAY-2025 | Lessons from David Ogilvy

Author

Dan Bogachek
May 08, 2025

You glance at your watch.

It’s 6:28. You’ve been at it since 3.
Crap. Your hot date is at 7. Running late. Sink shower it is.
Nowhere close to done editing…

“…at least all the ideas are laid out, so there’s that. Did I miss anything? I don’t think so? Ok, but how do I make it flow? I need to get the final draft to Stacey for design asap, team cutoff is at noon Thursday…”

You’ve spent dinner completely distracted. Your date just took off. You go home exhausted, plod to your desk, and flip open the laptop.

Or… what if:

5:41 — you’re out of the shower and lip-syncing.
6:17 — dressed to the nines and zenned out.
7:03 — the sunset glints off your aviators as you smile hello.
8:36 — it actually feels like you’re hitting it off. Not just hot, funny to boot.
Next morning, 9:27 — final draft ready in your inbox.
10:31 — Stacey messages back, “thanks, looks good!”

The difference?

Copygloss handled it. Before you left for the date, actually.

For help with editing, email Dan:
[email protected].

Lessons from David Ogilvy

David Ogilvy left a sizeable inheritance behind. It is yours if you want it.

It’s not money. It’s not a Rolls Royce either. And no, it’s not a chateau tucked away amidst tall chestnut trees on the banks of River Vienne in France. It is something a lot more precious. It’s a lifetime of the man’s infinite wisdom. Valuable then. Invaluable now. Here are a few pearls you could claim.

“Consumer isn’t a moron. She is your wife.”

When we create communication, we think people will buy anything we sell. Wrong. They need convincing, just like an uncompromising spouse. Control the urge to fire up an argument. Step into their shoes instead, even if they are a pair of uncomfortable stilettos. And walk. The journey will be a lot less painful than you thought it would be.

 🏁

Double duty here. The copy is excellent, and the lessons are priceless.

If you didn’t already know: Don Draper from Mad Men is based on the real-life legend, David Ogilvy.

  1. “Consumer isn’t a moron. She is your wife.”

  2. “KISS.” (Keep It Simple, Stupid)

  3. “The best ideas come as jokes. Make your thinking as funny as possible.”

  4. “Our business is infested with idiots who try to impress by using pretentious jargon.”

  5. “Unless your advertising has a big idea, it will pass like a ship in the night.”