In 1983, David Ogilvy listed 13 predictions for the future of advertising. Some were spot on, others hilariously off. But the magic here is how he thought about principles, not just trends.
Marketing analysis
Ogilvy saw the rise of data, better research, and smarter creative long before digital made those things standard. His “more information, less hot air” prediction feels like it was written for today’s marketers drowning in fluff but hungry for substance.
Why it works
- Timeless insight: rooted in human behavior, not tech.
- Belief in learning: good marketers adapt, great ones study.
- Vision balanced with skepticism.
- Focus on efficiency and clarity—always in style.
Examples
- Facebook’s ad algorithms rely on Ogilvy’s “quality of research.”
- HubSpot turned “educational advertising” into inbound marketing.
- Global brands like Nike adapt campaigns for local culture—exactly as he predicted.
Analyzed by Swipebot
Loading analysis...