The King of Madison Avenue

Fun book:

The King of Madison Avenue
David Ogilvy and the Making of Modern Advertising
by Kenneth Roman

Famous for his colorful personality and formidable intellect, David Ogilvy left an indelible mark on the advertising world, transforming it into a dynamic industry full of passionate, creative individuals. This first-ever biography traces Ogilvy’s remarkable life, from his short-lived college education and undercover work during World War II to his many successful years in New York advertising.

Depending on the audience and venue, I often include a section in my presentations about the history of advertising. A slide (and it’s not the only one featuring Mr. Ogilvy):

Two pulls from The King of Madison Avenue:

“Look inside the agency. Nobody’s too young for that and, I hasten to add, nobody’s too old for it, either. Why do we have this odious habit of putting all our old people out to pasture when they’re still young…?”

(Jerry) Della Femina remembered hearing Ogilvy railing against young upstarts in the business and the inmates taking over the asylum. “He said it so brilliantly and so well that I got up and led the applause. Then I realized he was talking about me.”

An Interactive Guide to Marketing/Advertising to Baby Boomers

Now available on Scribd:

An Interactive Guide to Marketing/Advertising to Baby Boomers (PDF)
After numerous articles, a book, an updated edition of same, a blog, dozens of media interviews, dozens of speaking/consulting engagements worldwide, and a fair amount of actual work, I thought it was time to put together a concise, organized, interactive compendium of news articles, opinions, and resources. 

But ‘concise’ and ‘organized’ are not in my lexicon.  It’s ended up being more a colorful cornucopia whirling and bursting every which way, less a pocket dictionary.  I think that’s for the better.

If you have any trouble downloading the PDF, email me and I’ll send it to you.

The Troublemaking Triumvirate

Christopher Simpson has resurrected his still warm corpse, Ad Nauseam.  From an email:

… I've very quietly started up Ad Nauseam again. Seems I can't stop commenting, but … I'm not going out of my way to promote the site …

Then I’ll promote it.

My latest is on Ikea's monumentally idiotic Any Place Can Be Beautiful campaign.

I don’t know if Kit or Bob Hoffman of The Ad Contrarian would consider themselves members of The Troublemaking Triumvirate. After all, the concept is merely some arrogant delusion that knocks around in my noggin every so often. Mr. Simpson and Mr. Hoffman are the other two who’ve yet to swig the Social Media/WOMM/Branding Kool-Aid.  I hope they’re never that thirsty.  I hope I’m never that thirsty. 

It’s good to have Kit back blogging.

New Erickson Living Campaign

Over the last few years I’ve blogged about Erickson Communities and some of their marketing and media projects – both the good and the not-so-good:

Tailoring media to an older crowd

This sounds familiar.

Like every industry, adult housing has taken a direct hit from the economic downturn.  Erickson is no exception.

With their recent advertising, the company is putting a happy face on it all, but not shying away from realities.  A new website is very upbeat.  Some fun, motivational videos highlight the fact that life can be quite eclectic no matter what age you are.

Three new television spots are in rotation.  One is a generic template, taking its cue from this 2008 spot.  The other two have a bit more meat on their bones:

Watch another one.

I’d like to see a television campaign that highlights the real-life themes in the videos on the Erickson web site. Especially with Baby Boomers (both as eldercare advisors for their parents, and as potential customers themselves), substantive stories are more engaging than simple hawking.

Travelers Angry with Web

NostraChuckus was wrong.

That’s painful to admit, but a new study by Forrester Research proves (even mocks) the fallibility of this famed prognosticator:

Worst Part of a Trip May Be Booking It on the Web
A new report, to be released Tuesday by Forrester Research, found that far from embracing the do-it-yourself era, many consumers were fed up with the complicated process of planning and booking travel.

Travel Agents are gloating:

Forrester Research Sees Travelers Angry with Web
* Travelers Are Fed Up With Bad, Inconsistent  Travel eBusiness Experiences
* The Travel Industry Fiddled With eBusiness While Rome Burned
* Weak Economy And Angry Travelers Demand New Travel eBusiness Approach

NostraChuckus was sure the online travel biz would make things easier and easier, more fun and more fun – where one of the best parts of a trip would be planning it. 

Here’s what he predicted in January 2004:

 
Cavalierly plagiarizing himself, NostraChuckus divined even more from his Crystal Ball of Common Sense and scribbled it all in his book (1st Edition, 2005):

 

 NostraChuckus is taking his crystal ball to Dervish and Banges for a tune-up.