The temptation to entertain instead of selling is contagious.— David Ogilvy
Ever seen an ad that made you laugh... but you couldn’t remember what it was for? Yeah, that’s the problem David Ogilvy warned about. The goal isn’t applause. It’s sales.
Marketing analysis
This photo of Ogilvy captures his trademark seriousness — the same seriousness he demanded from ads. He believed witty ads were fine, but only if every word and image pulled toward the sale.
Why it works
- Entertainment is fleeting. Sales build brands.
- Clarity beats cleverness.
- Every creative idea should serve the product, not overshadow it.
- The best ads make buying feel obvious, not optional.
Examples
- Dollar Shave Club’s viral video was funny and sold blades.
- Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” focused on proof, not jokes.
- Geico keeps humor tied to its core “15 minutes could save” tagline.