Awards

• Long-listed for Spear's Book Awards: Biography of the Year 2009
• Long-listed for Spear's Book Awards: Biography of the Year 2009.
• Winner of Spear's Book Awards: Biography of the Year 2009.

Overview

"Famous for his colorful personality and formidable intellect, David Ogilvy left an indelible mark on the advertising world, transforming it from a disreputable business into a dynamic industry full of passionate, creative individuals. This first-ever biography traces Ogilvy's remarkable life, from his short-lived college education and undercover work during World War II to his many successful years in New York advertising. Ogilvy's fascinating life and career make for an intriguing study from both a biographical and a business standpoint. Idiosyncratic, full of contradictions, and characterized by a powerful intellect, he redefined the business and became an icon within the advertising world, inspiring countless people to devote their lives to it. This biography is based on a wealth of material from decades of working alongside the advertising giant, including a large collection of photos, memos, recordings, notes, and extensive archives of Ogilvy's personal papers. The book describes the creation of some of history's most famous advertising campaigns, such as: *""The man in the Hathaway shirt"" with his aristocratic eye patch *""The man from Schweppes is here"" with Commander Whitehead, the elegant bearded Brit, introducing tonic water (and 'Schweppervesence') to the U.S. * Perhaps the most famous automobile headline of all time -- 'At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock.' *'Pablo Casals is coming home -- to Puerto Rico.' Ogilvy said this campaign, which helped change the image of a country, was his proudest achievement. * And his greatest (if less recognized) sales success -- 'DOVE creams your skin while you wash.' Fifty years later, still on his original proposition that it doesn't dry your skin, Dove has become the largest selling cleansing brand in the world.Roman also carries Ogilvy's message into the present day, showing the contemporary relevance of the bottom-line focus for which his business ventures are remembered, and how this approach is still key for professionals in the modern advertising world."

Full Product Details

9781403978950

Table of Contents

Reviews

The King of Madison Avenue has been named one of Businessweek's Top 10 business books of the year of 2009. 'An entertaining portrait of the legendary figure behind Ogilvy& Mather.' Businessweek 'This biography of David Ogilvy captures the paradoxes of a charismatic pioneer whose outer confidence hid a fretful uncertainty...Ken Roman worked with Ogilvy for 26 years. It's his considerable accomplishment to have written a meticulously researched and lucid account of this clever, charismatic and complicated man that is nowhere judgmental. He allows his subject to emerge from his own history.' - Jeremy Bullmore, Management Today 'Roman has written a fine book on his former boss. He has a gem of a subject and, as well as a fund of anecdotes, he provides a clear-eyed, unsentimental portrait of a brilliant tyrant.' - John Gapper, Financial Times 'Kenneth Roman offers an entertaining and admiring portrait of the legendary figure' - BusinessWeek, Rating: 4 stars 'The book is affectionate but balanced, erudite but immensely readable, surprising, witty... and as remarkable as its subject.' - David Abbott, Former Chairman, Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO 'Lively writing and an affectionate yet honest tone make this an astonishingly charming and informative biography.' - Publishers Weekly 'At last! The definitive biography of the most influential advertising executive with whom I had the pleasure of working. Ken Roman's research diligence has brought much more of David's uniqueness to light. A great read from someone who worked with David for 26 years!' - Jack Keenan, former CEO of Kraft Foods International, and Diageo PLC Wine and Spirits 'A most interesting book. It is a sensitive account of the career of this complex man who so successfully melded intuition and analysis. It should be compulsory reading for anyone contemplating a career in advertising or communications.' - Sir Michael Angus, former Chairman, Unilever 'David Ogilvy was unquestionably the King of Madison Avenue. Ken Roman's biography reflects his personal insights gained from being a colleague of Ogilvy's for several decades. This intimate portrayal makes clear Ogilvy's inspiring leadership of his agency even though he abhorred his managerial tasks. Ogilvy's convictions about what made for effective advertising - it sells - are clearly described by Roman, as is his brilliant personal salesmanship in winning new clients. A terrific read!' - Ron Daniel, former Managing Partner, McKinsey& Co. 'In so far as it is possible to recreate the unique wit and always unexpected genius of David Ogilvy, Kenneth Roman has succeeded.' - Louis Auchincloss, National Medal of Arts winner and best-selling author of The House of Five Talents, Portrait in Brownstone, East Side Story, and many more 'David and Leo were very different types but great mutual admirers. Ken's book is thoroughly researched and very well written. The boss would be proud of him.' - Cap Adams, retired CEO, Leo Burnett Co. 'This brilliant biography is like a gorgeous iceberg. The tip dazzles the reader and is supported by a mass of weighty research below. Kenneth Roman enchants us with his account of the life and times of David Ogilvy who towered above the world of advertising ! It should be required reading for all in the business ! The story is told swiftly and entertainingly. The voluminous research is set out in detailed notes at the back, and these also grip the attention of those who want to know how so much could be told with such flair, and why the author can paint a background of historical events with such certainty.' - William Stevenson, author of A Man Called Intrepid 'This is a surprisingly interesting book about one of the most remarkable characters in advertising history. It is also an introduction to the business itself and how it has been conducted, in sickness and in health, by someone who lived the experience.' - Martin Mayer, author of Madison Avenue USA 'An affectionate account of a colorful and influential figure...a pleasure to read.' - Burt Helm, BusinessWeek 'Thanks to The King of Madison Avenue, now we know David Ogilvy.' Paul B. Carroll, The Wall Street Journal '...powerful and entertaining...admirably researched and beautifully written.' James Brady, Forbes.com '...an admiring but clear-eyed portrait.' The New York Observer 'Kenneth Roman's very readable biography presents an expansive and entertaining portrait...Roman does a masterful job of conveying the colorful personality of Ogilvy.' - Richard Pacher, The Miami Herald 'Kenneth Roman's biography is better than Ogilvy's own memoirs.' - James Heartfield, Art Review 'In his account of life with Ogilvy, Roman writes perceptively of this prickly, difficult and demanding genius.' - Araminta Wordsworth, Financial Post '...[a] brisk and entertaining biography...' - Tom Siebert, Admap 'Quite apart from a fascinating life, this biography has, in its pages, a great deal of management wisdom expressed by its subject.' - Business Executive 'If you have an unscratched interest in David Ogilvy, this book is a must read.' - Margaret Gilsenan, Marketing

The former chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather offers a portrait of the ad agency's legendary founder.Roman begins with expatriate Brit David Ogilvy, nearly 40, quietly opening his first Manhattan office on Madison Avenue in 1948 after short stints as a chef, a poll researcher for Gallup and an Amish country farmer. A business novice with negligible advertising experience, known to don a full-length flowing black cape with a scarlet lining that made him look like Heathcliff coming off the moors, Ogilvy took the advertising industry by storm in just ten years. He started small then advanced quickly with an unmatched portfolio of campaigns for high-profile companies like Schweppes, Dove, Tetley Tea, Pepperidge Farm and Rolls-Royce. Culled from memories of his 26-year stint working alongside Ogilvy, plus nearly 200 interviews with business contemporaries and close acquaintances, Roman reveals how the ad man earned his peers' supreme respect with his interrogative, disarming presence, yet retained an outspoken shrewdness. The author does note, however, that while Ogilvy achieved many public accolades throughout his professional career, his personal life was troublesome. His first two marriages ended in divorce, and he never fulfilled his desire for a large family. His not-terribly-happy childhood was scanted in his 1978 autobiography Blood, Brains and Beer; Roman fills in the blanks here. Plagued with chronic asthma, he had a distinctly original mind that did not jibe with his teachers at an oppressive British boarding school or at Oxford. His grades suffered, and he struggled with low self-esteem. Psychotherapy in middle age revitalized and overstimulated his suppressed ego; he could be, the author notes, self-centered and inconsiderate. Ogilvy retired to a palatial French chateau in 1973 and died in the summer of 1999, leaving behind an unrivaled advertising legacy. An afterword containing unpublished correspondence and a generous selection of photographs draws readers further into his world.Straightforward, well-crafted biography of the outsider who shaped American advertising. (Kirkus Reviews)

Author Information

KENNETH ROMAN worked directly with David Ogilvy at Ogilvy& Mather for 26 years, beginning as an account executive and rising up to eventually become Chairman and CEO. He is the co-author of several books, including the bestselling business classics How to Advertise and Writing that Works, both of which are in their third editions. He lives in New York City.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available