Ogilvy’s 23 Sales Promotion Tips That Still Work Today

This vintage Ogilvy & Mather ad packs decades of wisdom into one page. Even though it’s old-school, the psychology still applies to today’s funnels, ads, and landing pages. It’s basically a cheat sheet for making promotions pop.

Why This Ad Rocks

• Starts with credibility: "$1,500,000,000 worth of sales promotion" grabs trust instantly

• Uses a list format for easy scanning (hello, 23 actionable lessons!)

• Mixes specific tactics (samples, coupons, refunds) with proven psychological triggers (trust, urgency, reciprocity)

• Keeps the headline huge and clear—no fluff or fancy design needed

Modern Examples

• Dropbox’s extra storage for referrals = the "Send-for Premiums" principle

• Starbucks stars program = trade coupons made digital

• Amazon’s “Lightning Deals” = force-of-shelf demand

• Sephora’s free samples = the power of sampling

Creative Variations

Hand-drawn pen style

Classic 1950s print ad

Futuristic style

Funny style