David Ogilvy Deadlines Quote
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Today I see red when anybody at Ogilvy, Benson & Mather tells a client that we cannot produce an advertisement or a television commercial on the day we have promised it. In the best establishments, promises are always kept, whatever it may cost in agony and overtime.— David Ogilvy
Look at that face. That’s the look of a man who’d rather pull an all‑nighter than miss a client deadline. David Ogilvy built his empire not just on creativity, but on reliability. His point was simple: missing a promise kills trust faster than bad copy ever could.
Marketing Analysis
Clients don’t just buy ads—they buy certainty. When you keep your word, you become the trusted partner, not just the vendor. That trust compounds into more projects, bigger budgets, and long‑term loyalty.
Why It Works
- Reliability builds brand trust (both for agencies and products)
- Meeting deadlines signals professionalism and control
- Over‑delivering makes clients feel valued
- Consistency reduces buyer anxiety
Examples
- FedEx’s “Absolutely, Positively Overnight” became a billion‑dollar promise.
- Amazon Prime built loyalty by guaranteeing 2‑day delivery.
- Domino’s 30‑minute delivery guarantee fueled explosive growth in the 80s.
- Apple’s launch events deliver exactly when they say they will—every time.
Analyzed by Swipebot
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