Ogilvy & Mather

A quirky question popped into David Ogilvy’s mind one day: “At 60 miles an hour, what’s the loudest sound in a Rolls-Royce?” The answer, he discovered after weeks immersed in Rolls-Royce engineering, was the electric clock. This intriguing fact became the headline of one of Ogilvy & Mather’s most celebrated advertisements. Right here at 636 11th Avenue, you stand before the legacy of a man who transformed advertising. Ogilvy & Mather, now simply Ogilvy, began its journey not in New York, but in London in 1850, founded by Edmund Mather. Decades later, David Ogilvy, a former AGA cooker salesman with a knack for persuasive writing, joined the firm. Ogilvy’s vision for advertising was revolutionary. He championed “big ideas,” meticulously researched “long copy,” striking visuals, and clean design. He believed in selling with information, not just entertainment. In 1948, Ogilvy & Mather opened its New York office, and Madison Avenue would never be the same. One of their earliest successes was the “Guinness Guide to Oysters,” a clever campaign that paired the Irish stout with various oyster varieties. Another iconic campaign, “The Man in the Hathaway Shirt,” featuring a distinguished gentleman sporting an eye patch, transformed a small shirt company into a household name. Ogilvy & Mather’s client list grew to include industry giants like Shell, American Express, and IBM. The agency became renowned for its innovative campaigns. They introduced Commander Whitehead as the face of Schweppes, helping the brand become a tonic staple in America. They even helped boost tourism in Puerto Rico and the UK with visually captivating campaigns. Their long-standing relationship with American Express yielded memorable campaigns like “Do You Know Me?” and “Portraits,” photographed by the legendary Annie Leibovitz. In the digital age, Ogilvy & Mather adapted. They pioneered interactive marketing, established specialty units like OgilvyRED and #OgilvyChange, and ultimately simplified their brand under the single name Ogilvy. Even today, Ogilvy’s legacy endures. The agency’s work has earned numerous awards, including being named Network of the Year multiple times. They continue to push the boundaries of creativity and effectiveness in advertising, marketing, and public relations.