Ogilvy Group tips hat to David Ogilvy on his would-be 100th birthday
Ogilvy Group Australia is celebrating what would have been advertising legend David Ogilvy’s 100th birthday with full-page ads in The Australian and The Financial Review today.
The ads include a piece by executive chairman of Ogilvy Australia Tom Moult who says there is still much to learn from a man “who’s never heard of Facebook, Twitter or even the internet“.
Ogilvy staff dressed for the occasion
I was lucky enough to see him give a presentation in Toronto in 1983 & I’ll never forget it. Even in his 70’s he was dripping with charisma, charm and intelligence. When it came to question time, a lady asked in a very affected voice “Mr Ogilvy, how would you promote Canada?” He fixed his gaze on her and said “Madam, I would only answer that question for money.”
So yes, being a direct marketer par excellence, I’m sure he would have embraced all things digital / social. But he also knew it was all about making a buck.
David Ogilvy has been a hero of mine since I read his books – so much is as bright, brilliant and relevant now as the day he wrote them.
Lovely piece of long form copy, Mr Moult.
The only depressing thing is that the all-male line-up pictured made me think I was looking at the Mad Men of yore. Ogilvy himself was far too pragmatic to have any truck with sexism, despite the mores of his time.
Where are Ogilvy’s Mad Women, circa 2011?
Nicely written Thomas. It’s nice to be reminded of how timeless thinking is always relevant.
Cheers
Ant
I’m going to date myself here but I remember when David Ogilvy came to Australia in the late 1970’s, he arrived on the QEII, which was also visiting Australia for the first time.
There was a big picture of DO on the front page of the Australian newspaper to mark both occasions. He was the human interest angle on the ship’s arrival.
My father was O&M’s architect at the time, and recalls waiting for DO and the then Chairman of O&M Australia, David Wilkin, for an hour outside the Athenaeum Club on Collins Street while they finished lunch.
When they finally emerged for the Grand Tour of Melbourne in Dad’s Honda, he recalls Ogilvy commenting on Melbourne’s marvellous, cheap food. He was a little more caustic about some of the buildings.
David Wilkin, the founding Chairman of O&M Australia was apparently “rather full” and “rolling around in the back seat”.
I hope that’s okay to mention, given it is 30 odd years ago 😉
Lovely words from Tom Moult in today’s paper. But I’d have to agree with Cathie that it’s a shame you would post a pic depicting a bit of a boys’ club.
I will dress up in old people’s clothes, too. Just to mark the occasion.
@Cathie @Esther
Precisely my thoughts on seeing the photo. I’m sure it was unintended but its a stark reminder of just how little has changed for women in advertising.
Has been done
https://staging.mumbrella.com.au/bmf-goes-mad-men-for-a-day-46919
😉