Ogilvy’s Ads Still Sell Decades Later: The Power of Measurable Marketing

This vintage Ogilvy & Mather ad is a masterclass in turning credibility into conversion. It doesn’t just brag about creativity; it leverages proof—dollar amounts, test results, and real client names—to make the case for direct response advertising. The layout reads like a tutorial, leading readers step-by-step through Ogilvy’s process while showcasing results anyone can relate to. It’s long, detailed, and shockingly persuasive.
What Makes It Work
- It opens with hard proof—$150 million in direct response results.
- It uses real client examples like Mercedes-Benz and Cessna, adding authority.
- Long copy is structured for easy scanning with numbered subheads.
- Readers are constantly promised measurable, replicable success.
Brands That Still Leverage This Approach
HubSpot builds case-study-driven ads that quantify ROI gains for real customers.
Mailchimp runs campaigns featuring small businesses that saw measurable growth through email marketing automation.
Shopify publishes long-form success stories showing merchants who increased sales using their tools.