David Ogilvy literally wrote the books on the advertising industry. He wrote the bestselling Confessions of an Advertising Man, and then followed it up with Ogilvy on Advertising. Both books continue to be widely read by students and practitioners today and are considered classics. He was a proper Brit, and a restless student who left Oxford University after two years. Ogilvy lived an interesting and full life …
Rosser Reeves, Ad Legend
Rosser Reeves was a rule-breaker, a gifted writer, a visionary business person, licensed pilot, sailboat racer, chess player, and art collector. He was born in Virginia in 1910 and he wanted to become rich. Reeves got what he wanted. In 1934, he moved to New York and went to work as a copywriter for a handful of agencies before landing a job at the Ted Bates and Co. in 1940, where he was able to help formulate the …
Lee Clow, Ad Legend
Lee Clow is a living legend, a creative hero, and a guide for many of today's working professionals. His work will continue to inspire me and many others, including future generations of advertising makers. Lee Clow retired from TBWA\Chiat\Day in 2018. Ten years before that auspicious moment, I wrote this in these pages: The man surfs and wears flip flops and a long beard to meetings with the world’s most …
Helen Lansdowne Resor, Ad Legend
The year was 1911. Her name was Helen Lansdowne. She was a true trailblazer and ad industry pioneer. Known as the best copywriter of her generation, she also became Vice President and ran J. Walter Thompson with her husband Stanley Resor for 40 years. She hired and mentored women writers. She introduced sex appeal to ads. This woman was a powerhouse. Helen Lansdowne Resor has several "firsts" next to her …
Mary Wells Lawrence, Ad Legend
Mary Wells Lawrence, 92, is about to be named the new "Lion of St. Mark" by Cannes International Festival of Creativity. She will be honored through the LIONS Live platform on Friday 26 June. Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein, founders of Goodby Silverstein & Partners, were honored with the Lion of St. Mark Award at the 2019 Festival. For what it's worth, the advertising lifetime award has nada to do with Mark …
Howard Luck Gossage, Ad Legend
Howard Luck Gossage is a cult figure. He is considered by some of today's practitioners, myself included, as one of the greatest creatives of all time. He converted an old firehouse in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco and began to “hold court” therein. Gossage was friends with Marshall McLuhan, Buckminster Fuller, and Tom Wolfe, among others, and he liked to entertain his heady friends at the …
