Ogilvy on Advertising vs. AI: Why 1960s Rules Win in the Digital Age
Ogilvy on Advertising vs. AI: Why 1960s Rules Win in the Digital Age
Written by
Rafael Hernandez
6 min read
6 min read
6 min read
In this post:
In this post:
In this post:
Section
Section
Section
Published:
Jan 17, 2026
See How My Agency Can Help You Turn Clicks Into Clients
See How My Agency Can Help You Turn Clicks Into Clients
We blend AI-driven testing with proven performance strategy to attract qualified traffic and turn it into revenue—fast, trackable, and scalable.
Facebook & Instagram Ads — reach customers where they scroll
Google Ads — capture people actively searching for you.
Website Design — turn visitors into buyers with high-converting sites
AI Automations — save hours and never miss a follow-up
Email Marketing — nurture leads and close sales on autopilot
SEO — get found by customers searching for what you sell
We blend AI-driven testing with proven performance strategy to attract qualified traffic and turn it into revenue—fast, trackable, and scalable.
Facebook & Instagram Ads — reach customers where they scroll
Google Ads — capture people actively searching for you.
Website Design — turn visitors into buyers with high-converting sites
AI Automations — save hours and never miss a follow-up
Email Marketing — nurture leads and close sales on autopilot
SEO — get found by customers searching for what you sell
Key Takeaways
Psychology Over Technology: Tools change, but human nature does not. Ogilvy on advertising focuses on the unchanging desires of the consumer.
Research is Gold: You must dig for specific language in reviews and forums rather than relying on boardroom opinions.
One Big Promise: A single, clear outcome always converts better than a list of ten vague features.
Headlines Matter Most: You spend 80 cents of your dollar on the headline. It requires relentless testing.
Specifics Sell: Concrete facts and numbers build trust, while vague claims create doubt.
Psychology Over Technology: Tools change, but human nature does not. Ogilvy on advertising focuses on the unchanging desires of the consumer.
Research is Gold: You must dig for specific language in reviews and forums rather than relying on boardroom opinions.
One Big Promise: A single, clear outcome always converts better than a list of ten vague features.
Headlines Matter Most: You spend 80 cents of your dollar on the headline. It requires relentless testing.
Specifics Sell: Concrete facts and numbers build trust, while vague claims create doubt.
Psychology Over Technology: Tools change, but human nature does not. Ogilvy on advertising focuses on the unchanging desires of the consumer.
Research is Gold: You must dig for specific language in reviews and forums rather than relying on boardroom opinions.
One Big Promise: A single, clear outcome always converts better than a list of ten vague features.
Headlines Matter Most: You spend 80 cents of your dollar on the headline. It requires relentless testing.
Specifics Sell: Concrete facts and numbers build trust, while vague claims create doubt.
Ogilvy on Advertising vs. AI: Why 1960s Rules Win in the Digital Age
If someone took away your fancy AI tools, automated bidding strategies, and predictive analytics, could you still generate high-quality leads? It is a frightening question for many modern marketers. However, the answer is a resounding "yes" if you follow the seven rules from one of the greatest 1960s advertising legends.
While platforms change rapidly, human psychology remains constant. The buttons move, the algorithms get smarter, and the feeds get faster, but the brain behind the thumb is the same. People still want the fastest path to a win, they trust proof, and they avoid pain. This is why Ogilvy on advertising principles are just as effective today as they were fifty years ago.
Whether you are running a boutique shop or a large advertising agency Los Angeles CA based, understanding these fundamentals is crucial. Platforms are merely the roads, but psychology is the engine. If your engine is weak, a new road will not help you go faster.
The Legend Behind the Laws
Before diving into the laws, it is important to understand the source. David Ogilvy is widely known as the "Father of Advertising." He founded his agency with just $6,000 and grew it into a global powerhouse. His success wasn't luck; it was based on rigorous testing and a refusal to create "creative" ads that didn't sell.
The ogilvy and mather history is a testament to scaling through results. By 1963, his firm was billing $55 million a year. He focused on "big whales" or blue-chip clients and applied direct response principles that are the ancestors of modern performance marketing. Today, any marketing agency Los Angeles CA looking to scale can learn from his trajectory.
Ogilvy operated on the belief that you must do what works on real people, not what looks clever in a meeting. This mindset is vital for lead generation for agencies today. If you ignore the data and the human element, you will fail, no matter how advanced your AI tools are.
Law 1: Research Beats Opinions
Ogilvy famously said the most important word in advertising is "test." He didn't guess; he researched. When working on food brands, he would visit kitchens to watch people cook. He was hunting for small truths and real habits.
In the digital age, you don't need to physically visit kitchens. You have the internet. You can use using reviews for ad copy to find the exact words your customers use. Go to Amazon, Reddit, or competitor reviews. If you are doing marketing for dental clinics, and a patient writes, "I was scared of the drill, but the scan felt like nothing," that is your ad copy.
This deep research allows you to speak the customer's language. When a customer sees their own thoughts reflected in your ads, trust is instant. A top-tier digital marketing agency Los Angeles CA knows that research is about panning for gold; you sift through the sand until you find the shiny flake that becomes your hook.
Law 2: The Power of One Big Promise
Every great ad makes one clear promise. It does not confuse the reader with ten different features. The human brain prefers simple goals and fast decisions. One promise is a lighthouse; ten features create fog.
Consider the famous dove moisturizing cream ad campaign. The promise was simple: "One-quarter moisturizing cream." It wasn't about cleaning; it was about moisturizing. This single promise set the product apart for decades.
If you are a California advertising agency or a business owner, ask yourself: What is the one specific result my buyer wants? If you help clinics, don't say "we offer comprehensive solutions." Say "12 booked consults a week from one simple ad." Ogilvy on advertising teaches us that clarity converts. A confused mind always says no.
Law 3: Headlines Do Most of the Work
Ogilvy stated, "On average, five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy." If your headline fails, your ad fails. In today's world of infinite scroll, this is even more critical. Your email subject line, your YouTube thumbnail, and your ad header are all headlines.
You need to craft the best advertising headlines by hitting two triggers: clarity and curiosity. Ogilvy used an eye patch on a model for Hathaway shirts to create story appeal. To replicate this success, you should establish a headline testing ritual. Write twenty headlines before you pick one.
If you are looking for an advertising agency in Los Angeles to handle your campaigns, ensure they obsess over headlines. Test a direct headline against a mysterious one. The winner is rarely the first one you write.
Law 4: Specifics Sell (The Concreteness Effect)
Vague claims slide off the brain like water off a duck's back. Specifics stick. This is known as the concreteness effect in marketing. Ogilvy was a master of turning facts into fascination.
The most famous example is the David Ogilvy electric clock quote for Rolls-Royce: "At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock." He didn't say the car was quiet. He gave a specific, irrefutable fact found in technical reports.
Today, you must avoid concrete vs vague claims. Don't say "we have great service." Say "we answered 243 support tickets in under 5 minutes last week." Whether you are a facebook advertising agency or a local business, adding numbers, dates, and names drops doubt fast. Specifics act like street names on a map; without them, the customer feels lost.
Law 5: Show, Don't Just Tell
Pictures beat paragraphs, especially in the first three seconds. Ogilvy understood that visuals must tell a story or lend authority. In the modern era, this translates to video content and visual proof.
If you are targeting specific regions with facebook advertising Los Angeles, your visuals must stop the scroll immediately. Open your video with a "show and tell." If you sell a product, show the problem being solved in the first three seconds.
For b2b lead generation tactics, show a live dashboard or a zoomed-in view of results. Don't start with a logo or a slow intro. Ogilvy on advertising emphasized that the image must sell the product, not just decorate the page. Even for facebook ads Los Angeles campaigns, the visual hook is often more important than the body copy.
Law 6: Long Copy Works for Complex Sales
There is a myth that people don't read in the digital age. The truth is, people read what interests them. Ogilvy on advertising principles dictate that long copy is necessary when the product is expensive or complex.
If you are selling a high-ticket item, you need writing specific ad copy that addresses every objection. Ogilvy used "guides" that educated the reader, providing value before asking for the sale. This is essentially the grandfather of content marketing.
A specialized meta advertising agency will tell you that for complex offers, a long-form landing page often outperforms a short one. Buyers switch to slow thinking when money is involved. They want details on price, time, and trust. Direct response copywriting isn't about word count; it's about answering doubts.
Law 7: Consistency and Testing Compounds Success
Ogilvy believed that every ad should contribute to the long-term brand image. He also preached that "test" is the most important word in the vocabulary of advertising. Consistency builds memory, while testing drives performance.
You need to build a brand that compounds over time. The Dove campaign ran for years. Too many marketers get bored and change their creative too often. A skilled SEO Los Angeles California expert knows that consistency in messaging helps search engines and humans alike understand your value.
To truly win, you must test relentlessly. Set a weekly rhythm. Test a new headline this week, a new image next week. Keep the winner and drop the loser. Whether you are working with an SEO agency Los Angeles or running ads yourself, this discipline is what separates the pros from the amateurs.
Connecting the Laws to Modern Platforms
These David Ogilvy principles are not just history lessons; they are the blueprint for a winning marketing funnel structure 2025. You can apply them to every channel you use today.
For instance, when managing google ads Los Angeles campaigns, use specific numbers in your ad text (Law 4) and test multiple headlines (Law 3). If you are targeting a specific area, such as google ads Los Angeles CA, ensure your promise is relevant to that local audience.
Even for broader google ads California strategies, the rule of "Research Beats Opinions" applies. Use data to drive your decisions. If you want to see a practical example of how settings and details matter in modern platforms, read this blog on configuring lead forms correctly.
Ogilvy on Advertising vs. AI: Why 1960s Rules Win in the Digital Age
If someone took away your fancy AI tools, automated bidding strategies, and predictive analytics, could you still generate high-quality leads? It is a frightening question for many modern marketers. However, the answer is a resounding "yes" if you follow the seven rules from one of the greatest 1960s advertising legends.
While platforms change rapidly, human psychology remains constant. The buttons move, the algorithms get smarter, and the feeds get faster, but the brain behind the thumb is the same. People still want the fastest path to a win, they trust proof, and they avoid pain. This is why Ogilvy on advertising principles are just as effective today as they were fifty years ago.
Whether you are running a boutique shop or a large advertising agency Los Angeles CA based, understanding these fundamentals is crucial. Platforms are merely the roads, but psychology is the engine. If your engine is weak, a new road will not help you go faster.
The Legend Behind the Laws
Before diving into the laws, it is important to understand the source. David Ogilvy is widely known as the "Father of Advertising." He founded his agency with just $6,000 and grew it into a global powerhouse. His success wasn't luck; it was based on rigorous testing and a refusal to create "creative" ads that didn't sell.
The ogilvy and mather history is a testament to scaling through results. By 1963, his firm was billing $55 million a year. He focused on "big whales" or blue-chip clients and applied direct response principles that are the ancestors of modern performance marketing. Today, any marketing agency Los Angeles CA looking to scale can learn from his trajectory.
Ogilvy operated on the belief that you must do what works on real people, not what looks clever in a meeting. This mindset is vital for lead generation for agencies today. If you ignore the data and the human element, you will fail, no matter how advanced your AI tools are.
Law 1: Research Beats Opinions
Ogilvy famously said the most important word in advertising is "test." He didn't guess; he researched. When working on food brands, he would visit kitchens to watch people cook. He was hunting for small truths and real habits.
In the digital age, you don't need to physically visit kitchens. You have the internet. You can use using reviews for ad copy to find the exact words your customers use. Go to Amazon, Reddit, or competitor reviews. If you are doing marketing for dental clinics, and a patient writes, "I was scared of the drill, but the scan felt like nothing," that is your ad copy.
This deep research allows you to speak the customer's language. When a customer sees their own thoughts reflected in your ads, trust is instant. A top-tier digital marketing agency Los Angeles CA knows that research is about panning for gold; you sift through the sand until you find the shiny flake that becomes your hook.
Law 2: The Power of One Big Promise
Every great ad makes one clear promise. It does not confuse the reader with ten different features. The human brain prefers simple goals and fast decisions. One promise is a lighthouse; ten features create fog.
Consider the famous dove moisturizing cream ad campaign. The promise was simple: "One-quarter moisturizing cream." It wasn't about cleaning; it was about moisturizing. This single promise set the product apart for decades.
If you are a California advertising agency or a business owner, ask yourself: What is the one specific result my buyer wants? If you help clinics, don't say "we offer comprehensive solutions." Say "12 booked consults a week from one simple ad." Ogilvy on advertising teaches us that clarity converts. A confused mind always says no.
Law 3: Headlines Do Most of the Work
Ogilvy stated, "On average, five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy." If your headline fails, your ad fails. In today's world of infinite scroll, this is even more critical. Your email subject line, your YouTube thumbnail, and your ad header are all headlines.
You need to craft the best advertising headlines by hitting two triggers: clarity and curiosity. Ogilvy used an eye patch on a model for Hathaway shirts to create story appeal. To replicate this success, you should establish a headline testing ritual. Write twenty headlines before you pick one.
If you are looking for an advertising agency in Los Angeles to handle your campaigns, ensure they obsess over headlines. Test a direct headline against a mysterious one. The winner is rarely the first one you write.
Law 4: Specifics Sell (The Concreteness Effect)
Vague claims slide off the brain like water off a duck's back. Specifics stick. This is known as the concreteness effect in marketing. Ogilvy was a master of turning facts into fascination.
The most famous example is the David Ogilvy electric clock quote for Rolls-Royce: "At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock." He didn't say the car was quiet. He gave a specific, irrefutable fact found in technical reports.
Today, you must avoid concrete vs vague claims. Don't say "we have great service." Say "we answered 243 support tickets in under 5 minutes last week." Whether you are a facebook advertising agency or a local business, adding numbers, dates, and names drops doubt fast. Specifics act like street names on a map; without them, the customer feels lost.
Law 5: Show, Don't Just Tell
Pictures beat paragraphs, especially in the first three seconds. Ogilvy understood that visuals must tell a story or lend authority. In the modern era, this translates to video content and visual proof.
If you are targeting specific regions with facebook advertising Los Angeles, your visuals must stop the scroll immediately. Open your video with a "show and tell." If you sell a product, show the problem being solved in the first three seconds.
For b2b lead generation tactics, show a live dashboard or a zoomed-in view of results. Don't start with a logo or a slow intro. Ogilvy on advertising emphasized that the image must sell the product, not just decorate the page. Even for facebook ads Los Angeles campaigns, the visual hook is often more important than the body copy.
Law 6: Long Copy Works for Complex Sales
There is a myth that people don't read in the digital age. The truth is, people read what interests them. Ogilvy on advertising principles dictate that long copy is necessary when the product is expensive or complex.
If you are selling a high-ticket item, you need writing specific ad copy that addresses every objection. Ogilvy used "guides" that educated the reader, providing value before asking for the sale. This is essentially the grandfather of content marketing.
A specialized meta advertising agency will tell you that for complex offers, a long-form landing page often outperforms a short one. Buyers switch to slow thinking when money is involved. They want details on price, time, and trust. Direct response copywriting isn't about word count; it's about answering doubts.
Law 7: Consistency and Testing Compounds Success
Ogilvy believed that every ad should contribute to the long-term brand image. He also preached that "test" is the most important word in the vocabulary of advertising. Consistency builds memory, while testing drives performance.
You need to build a brand that compounds over time. The Dove campaign ran for years. Too many marketers get bored and change their creative too often. A skilled SEO Los Angeles California expert knows that consistency in messaging helps search engines and humans alike understand your value.
To truly win, you must test relentlessly. Set a weekly rhythm. Test a new headline this week, a new image next week. Keep the winner and drop the loser. Whether you are working with an SEO agency Los Angeles or running ads yourself, this discipline is what separates the pros from the amateurs.
Connecting the Laws to Modern Platforms
These David Ogilvy principles are not just history lessons; they are the blueprint for a winning marketing funnel structure 2025. You can apply them to every channel you use today.
For instance, when managing google ads Los Angeles campaigns, use specific numbers in your ad text (Law 4) and test multiple headlines (Law 3). If you are targeting a specific area, such as google ads Los Angeles CA, ensure your promise is relevant to that local audience.
Even for broader google ads California strategies, the rule of "Research Beats Opinions" applies. Use data to drive your decisions. If you want to see a practical example of how settings and details matter in modern platforms, read this blog on configuring lead forms correctly.
Ogilvy on Advertising vs. AI: Why 1960s Rules Win in the Digital Age
If someone took away your fancy AI tools, automated bidding strategies, and predictive analytics, could you still generate high-quality leads? It is a frightening question for many modern marketers. However, the answer is a resounding "yes" if you follow the seven rules from one of the greatest 1960s advertising legends.
While platforms change rapidly, human psychology remains constant. The buttons move, the algorithms get smarter, and the feeds get faster, but the brain behind the thumb is the same. People still want the fastest path to a win, they trust proof, and they avoid pain. This is why Ogilvy on advertising principles are just as effective today as they were fifty years ago.
Whether you are running a boutique shop or a large advertising agency Los Angeles CA based, understanding these fundamentals is crucial. Platforms are merely the roads, but psychology is the engine. If your engine is weak, a new road will not help you go faster.
The Legend Behind the Laws
Before diving into the laws, it is important to understand the source. David Ogilvy is widely known as the "Father of Advertising." He founded his agency with just $6,000 and grew it into a global powerhouse. His success wasn't luck; it was based on rigorous testing and a refusal to create "creative" ads that didn't sell.
The ogilvy and mather history is a testament to scaling through results. By 1963, his firm was billing $55 million a year. He focused on "big whales" or blue-chip clients and applied direct response principles that are the ancestors of modern performance marketing. Today, any marketing agency Los Angeles CA looking to scale can learn from his trajectory.
Ogilvy operated on the belief that you must do what works on real people, not what looks clever in a meeting. This mindset is vital for lead generation for agencies today. If you ignore the data and the human element, you will fail, no matter how advanced your AI tools are.
Law 1: Research Beats Opinions
Ogilvy famously said the most important word in advertising is "test." He didn't guess; he researched. When working on food brands, he would visit kitchens to watch people cook. He was hunting for small truths and real habits.
In the digital age, you don't need to physically visit kitchens. You have the internet. You can use using reviews for ad copy to find the exact words your customers use. Go to Amazon, Reddit, or competitor reviews. If you are doing marketing for dental clinics, and a patient writes, "I was scared of the drill, but the scan felt like nothing," that is your ad copy.
This deep research allows you to speak the customer's language. When a customer sees their own thoughts reflected in your ads, trust is instant. A top-tier digital marketing agency Los Angeles CA knows that research is about panning for gold; you sift through the sand until you find the shiny flake that becomes your hook.
Law 2: The Power of One Big Promise
Every great ad makes one clear promise. It does not confuse the reader with ten different features. The human brain prefers simple goals and fast decisions. One promise is a lighthouse; ten features create fog.
Consider the famous dove moisturizing cream ad campaign. The promise was simple: "One-quarter moisturizing cream." It wasn't about cleaning; it was about moisturizing. This single promise set the product apart for decades.
If you are a California advertising agency or a business owner, ask yourself: What is the one specific result my buyer wants? If you help clinics, don't say "we offer comprehensive solutions." Say "12 booked consults a week from one simple ad." Ogilvy on advertising teaches us that clarity converts. A confused mind always says no.
Law 3: Headlines Do Most of the Work
Ogilvy stated, "On average, five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy." If your headline fails, your ad fails. In today's world of infinite scroll, this is even more critical. Your email subject line, your YouTube thumbnail, and your ad header are all headlines.
You need to craft the best advertising headlines by hitting two triggers: clarity and curiosity. Ogilvy used an eye patch on a model for Hathaway shirts to create story appeal. To replicate this success, you should establish a headline testing ritual. Write twenty headlines before you pick one.
If you are looking for an advertising agency in Los Angeles to handle your campaigns, ensure they obsess over headlines. Test a direct headline against a mysterious one. The winner is rarely the first one you write.
Law 4: Specifics Sell (The Concreteness Effect)
Vague claims slide off the brain like water off a duck's back. Specifics stick. This is known as the concreteness effect in marketing. Ogilvy was a master of turning facts into fascination.
The most famous example is the David Ogilvy electric clock quote for Rolls-Royce: "At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock." He didn't say the car was quiet. He gave a specific, irrefutable fact found in technical reports.
Today, you must avoid concrete vs vague claims. Don't say "we have great service." Say "we answered 243 support tickets in under 5 minutes last week." Whether you are a facebook advertising agency or a local business, adding numbers, dates, and names drops doubt fast. Specifics act like street names on a map; without them, the customer feels lost.
Law 5: Show, Don't Just Tell
Pictures beat paragraphs, especially in the first three seconds. Ogilvy understood that visuals must tell a story or lend authority. In the modern era, this translates to video content and visual proof.
If you are targeting specific regions with facebook advertising Los Angeles, your visuals must stop the scroll immediately. Open your video with a "show and tell." If you sell a product, show the problem being solved in the first three seconds.
For b2b lead generation tactics, show a live dashboard or a zoomed-in view of results. Don't start with a logo or a slow intro. Ogilvy on advertising emphasized that the image must sell the product, not just decorate the page. Even for facebook ads Los Angeles campaigns, the visual hook is often more important than the body copy.
Law 6: Long Copy Works for Complex Sales
There is a myth that people don't read in the digital age. The truth is, people read what interests them. Ogilvy on advertising principles dictate that long copy is necessary when the product is expensive or complex.
If you are selling a high-ticket item, you need writing specific ad copy that addresses every objection. Ogilvy used "guides" that educated the reader, providing value before asking for the sale. This is essentially the grandfather of content marketing.
A specialized meta advertising agency will tell you that for complex offers, a long-form landing page often outperforms a short one. Buyers switch to slow thinking when money is involved. They want details on price, time, and trust. Direct response copywriting isn't about word count; it's about answering doubts.
Law 7: Consistency and Testing Compounds Success
Ogilvy believed that every ad should contribute to the long-term brand image. He also preached that "test" is the most important word in the vocabulary of advertising. Consistency builds memory, while testing drives performance.
You need to build a brand that compounds over time. The Dove campaign ran for years. Too many marketers get bored and change their creative too often. A skilled SEO Los Angeles California expert knows that consistency in messaging helps search engines and humans alike understand your value.
To truly win, you must test relentlessly. Set a weekly rhythm. Test a new headline this week, a new image next week. Keep the winner and drop the loser. Whether you are working with an SEO agency Los Angeles or running ads yourself, this discipline is what separates the pros from the amateurs.
Connecting the Laws to Modern Platforms
These David Ogilvy principles are not just history lessons; they are the blueprint for a winning marketing funnel structure 2025. You can apply them to every channel you use today.
For instance, when managing google ads Los Angeles campaigns, use specific numbers in your ad text (Law 4) and test multiple headlines (Law 3). If you are targeting a specific area, such as google ads Los Angeles CA, ensure your promise is relevant to that local audience.
Even for broader google ads California strategies, the rule of "Research Beats Opinions" applies. Use data to drive your decisions. If you want to see a practical example of how settings and details matter in modern platforms, read this blog on configuring lead forms correctly.
FAQs
Are Ogilvy's principles still relevant for short-form video content like TikTok?
Yes, absolutely. Ogilvy on advertising emphasizes grabbing attention quickly and delivering a clear promise. On TikTok or Reels, this translates to the first 3 seconds. You must "show, don't tell" immediately and use a headline (text overlay) that hooks the viewer. The format is different, but the psychology of capturing attention and offering value is exactly the same.
How can I do market research without a big budget?
You don't need a large budget to follow David Ogilvy principles on research. You can use free tools like Google Reviews, Amazon product reviews, and Reddit forums. Look for repeated phrases and pain points in your niche. This "voice of customer" data is often more valuable than expensive focus groups because it captures people in their natural state.
Does long copy really work on mobile devices?
Yes, if the offer requires it. While people skim, they will scroll and read deep content if they are considering a high-value purchase. Ogilvy on advertising taught that the more you tell, the more you sell. On mobile, break up the long copy with subheadings, bullet points, and images to make it readable, but don't shorten the message if it removes necessary persuasion.
specific claims are hard to make for service businesses. What should I do?
You can always find specifics. If you can't promise a specific result (like "lose 10 pounds"), use specifics about your process or history. "We have served 500 clients," "Our process takes exactly 14 days," or "We use a 72 point inspection." These details create the concreteness effect in marketing that builds trust, even for intangible services.
How often should I test my ads?
Ogilvy was a fanatic about testing. In the digital age, you should be testing constantly. A good rule of thumb is to launch a new test every week. Test one variable at a time (headline, image, or offer) so you know exactly what caused the change in performance. This builds a culture of continuous improvement.
Are Ogilvy's principles still relevant for short-form video content like TikTok?
Yes, absolutely. Ogilvy on advertising emphasizes grabbing attention quickly and delivering a clear promise. On TikTok or Reels, this translates to the first 3 seconds. You must "show, don't tell" immediately and use a headline (text overlay) that hooks the viewer. The format is different, but the psychology of capturing attention and offering value is exactly the same.
How can I do market research without a big budget?
You don't need a large budget to follow David Ogilvy principles on research. You can use free tools like Google Reviews, Amazon product reviews, and Reddit forums. Look for repeated phrases and pain points in your niche. This "voice of customer" data is often more valuable than expensive focus groups because it captures people in their natural state.
Does long copy really work on mobile devices?
Yes, if the offer requires it. While people skim, they will scroll and read deep content if they are considering a high-value purchase. Ogilvy on advertising taught that the more you tell, the more you sell. On mobile, break up the long copy with subheadings, bullet points, and images to make it readable, but don't shorten the message if it removes necessary persuasion.
specific claims are hard to make for service businesses. What should I do?
You can always find specifics. If you can't promise a specific result (like "lose 10 pounds"), use specifics about your process or history. "We have served 500 clients," "Our process takes exactly 14 days," or "We use a 72 point inspection." These details create the concreteness effect in marketing that builds trust, even for intangible services.
How often should I test my ads?
Ogilvy was a fanatic about testing. In the digital age, you should be testing constantly. A good rule of thumb is to launch a new test every week. Test one variable at a time (headline, image, or offer) so you know exactly what caused the change in performance. This builds a culture of continuous improvement.
Conclusion
David Ogilvy may have operated in the era of newspapers and TV, but his understanding of human nature makes Ogilvy on advertising the ultimate guide for the digital age. By focusing on deep research, making one big promise, obsessing over headlines, and using specifics, you can build campaigns that withstand any algorithm update.
The tools will always change. AI will get smarter, and platforms will evolve. However, the psychological "engine" that drives sales remains the same. If you apply these 1960s rules today, you will find that they win every time.
If you found this blog helpful and want to dive deeper into creating ads that truly perform, check out our guide on this blog.
Want this done for you? Our team turns Meta & Google ads into profitable, scalable growth using AI-powered strategy. Hire us.
Author:
Rafael Hernandez
|
CEO and Co-Founder of Great Marketing AI
Published:
Jan 17, 2026
About the author
Rafael Hernandez
Rafael Hernandez is the CEO and Founder of Great Marketing AI, an agency built to fuse technical excellence with creative firepower. A UC Berkeley graduate and former Microsoft engineer, Rafael combines world-class marketing with AI-powered systems that turn clicks into clients. He leads with speed, high standards, and a commitment to meaningful results.
About the author
Rafael Hernandez
Rafael Hernandez is the CEO and Founder of Great Marketing AI, an agency built to fuse technical excellence with creative firepower. A UC Berkeley graduate and former Microsoft engineer, Rafael combines world-class marketing with AI-powered systems that turn clicks into clients. He leads with speed, high standards, and a commitment to meaningful results.
Ready to scale your brand to new heights?
If you want to achieve ground-breaking growth with increased sales and profitability with paid ads, then you're in the right place.
About Great Marketing AI
Great Marketing AI partners with forward-thinking companies and high-velocity SMBs to turn their advertising into a scalable growth engine.
We combine machine-learning precision with world-class creative execution to help brands generate predictable, repeatable revenue.
By blending data, systems, and storytelling, we transform digital campaigns from guesswork into growth — turning every dollar of ad spend into lasting momentum.
Case Studies
NP Digital: 800% Growth & 81% Cost Reduction in 5 Days
When a leading performance-marketing agency (NP Digital) discovered their own Meta ads were under-performing, they partnered with Great Marketing AI.
In just five days we rebuilt their campaigns—better targeting, scroll-stopping creative, and pixel optimization.
The result? 63 conversions (vs 7) + cost per result down from $284.77 to $52.74 + click-through rate up 71.7%.
Albert Preciado: 435% Revenue Surge • 526% Sales Growth
After relying on Instagram “boosts,” Albert’s business was stuck in visibility mode—not high-conversion mode. We stepped in with a full funnel makeover: precise Meta Ads targeting, Hyros tracking, and high-impact creative.
• $373 ,982 in revenue in 3 months = 2.89x ROAS (435% up)
• 6,228 leads (up 289%)
• 338 sales (up 526%)
• 798 qualified calls (up 375%)
• CPA down 41% to $779.71
Turning Steel into Gold” – 1,956% ROI & 20.56× ROAS
When Complex Steel Buildings, a Southern-California custom-steel-structure manufacturer, needed to scale and streamline their lead-generation process, we partnered with them to implement
• A hyper-targeted Meta Ads-based campaign
• Friction-free on-platform lead-capture
• Fully automated follow-up using GoHighLevel
The result: $12.2 K ad spend → $251 K in sales in 6 months (1,956% ROI) with 20.56× ROAS.
Nestor Gutierrez: 11× ROAS • Coaching Offer Launched in Days
With only $1,619 in ad spend, Great Marketing AI generated 105 lead-form submissions, 98 high-quality leads, and closed 9 deals for Nestor—delivering $17,768 in revenue and a Cost-Per-Sale of just $179.92.From an unlaunched offer to a predictable revenue system—built using Meta Ads + streamlined follow-up automation.
KCB Plumbing: 375% More Organic Traffic • 119% Direct Uplift in 90 Days
KCB was spending money on ads—but conversions stagnated. Great Marketing AI rebuilt their digital foundation: rewriting messaging, redesigning the site with conversion in mind, and layering AI-driven CRO best practices.• Direct traffic users up 119.23% in 90 days.
• Organic search users increased 375% in the same period.
• Engaged sessions from organic search jumped 400%; average engagement time up 114.94%.
8.16× ROAS • $14,500 Revenue from Just $1.8K Ad Spend
Faced with no consistent way to attract high-ticket coaching clients, Palomino turned to Great Marketing AI. We built a full-funnel acquisition engine — from precision Meta Ads to AI-powered content and automated lead-nurture workflows.
• 192 qualified opportunities created in the funnel.
• $1,775.70 ad spend → $14,500 in revenue.
• Cost per Sale (CPS): $887.85 — efficient for a premium coaching program.
The Kitchen Store: Website Remodel That Revamped Lead Flow
With 60 years of showroom legacy in Culver City, The Kitchen Store had solid prestige—but their website wasn’t doing it justice. Great Marketing AI stepped in and turned the digital storefront into a real conversion engine.
• Outdated site → full redesign: high-end visuals, mobile optimization, trust elements up front.
• Simplified the buyer journey: prominent CTA “Schedule a FREE Design Consultation,” easier forms, sticky navigation.
• Early wins: more form submissions, deeper engagement, improved handoff from ads to conversion.
NP Digital: 800% Growth & 81% Cost Reduction in 5 Days
When a leading performance-marketing agency (NP Digital) discovered their own Meta ads were under-performing, they partnered with Great Marketing AI.
In just five days we rebuilt their campaigns—better targeting, scroll-stopping creative, and pixel optimization.
The result? 63 conversions (vs 7) + cost per result down from $284.77 to $52.74 + click-through rate up 71.7%.Albert Preciado: 435% Revenue Surge • 526% Sales Growth
After relying on Instagram “boosts,” Albert’s business was stuck in visibility mode—not high-conversion mode. We stepped in with a full funnel makeover: precise Meta Ads targeting, Hyros tracking, and high-impact creative.
• $373 ,982 in revenue in 3 months = 2.89x ROAS (435% up)
• 6,228 leads (up 289%)
• 338 sales (up 526%)
• 798 qualified calls (up 375%)
• CPA down 41% to $779.71
Turning Steel into Gold” – 1,956% ROI & 20.56× ROAS
When Complex Steel Buildings, a Southern-California custom-steel-structure manufacturer, needed to scale and streamline their lead-generation process, we partnered with them to implement
• A hyper-targeted Meta Ads-based campaign
• Friction-free on-platform lead-capture
• Fully automated follow-up using GoHighLevel
The result: $12.2 K ad spend → $251 K in sales in 6 months (1,956% ROI) with 20.56× ROAS.
Nestor Gutierrez: 11× ROAS • Coaching Offer Launched in Days
With only $1,619 in ad spend, Great Marketing AI generated 105 lead-form submissions, 98 high-quality leads, and closed 9 deals for Nestor—delivering $17,768 in revenue and a Cost-Per-Sale of just $179.92.From an unlaunched offer to a predictable revenue system—built using Meta Ads + streamlined follow-up automation.
KCB Plumbing: 375% More Organic Traffic • 119% Direct Uplift in 90 Days
KCB was spending money on ads—but conversions stagnated. Great Marketing AI rebuilt their digital foundation: rewriting messaging, redesigning the site with conversion in mind, and layering AI-driven CRO best practices.• Direct traffic users up 119.23% in 90 days.
• Organic search users increased 375% in the same period.
• Engaged sessions from organic search jumped 400%; average engagement time up 114.94%.
8.16× ROAS • $14,500 Revenue from Just $1.8K Ad Spend
Faced with no consistent way to attract high-ticket coaching clients, Palomino turned to Great Marketing AI. We built a full-funnel acquisition engine — from precision Meta Ads to AI-powered content and automated lead-nurture workflows.
• 192 qualified opportunities created in the funnel.
• $1,775.70 ad spend → $14,500 in revenue.
• Cost per Sale (CPS): $887.85 — efficient for a premium coaching program.
The Kitchen Store: Website Remodel That Revamped Lead Flow
With 60 years of showroom legacy in Culver City, The Kitchen Store had solid prestige—but their website wasn’t doing it justice. Great Marketing AI stepped in and turned the digital storefront into a real conversion engine.
• Outdated site → full redesign: high-end visuals, mobile optimization, trust elements up front.
• Simplified the buyer journey: prominent CTA “Schedule a FREE Design Consultation,” easier forms, sticky navigation.
• Early wins: more form submissions, deeper engagement, improved handoff from ads to conversion.
NP Digital: 800% Growth & 81% Cost Reduction in 5 Days
When a leading performance-marketing agency (NP Digital) discovered their own Meta ads were under-performing, they partnered with Great Marketing AI.
In just five days we rebuilt their campaigns—better targeting, scroll-stopping creative, and pixel optimization.
The result? 63 conversions (vs 7) + cost per result down from $284.77 to $52.74 + click-through rate up 71.7%.Albert Preciado: 435% Revenue Surge • 526% Sales Growth
After relying on Instagram “boosts,” Albert’s business was stuck in visibility mode—not high-conversion mode. We stepped in with a full funnel makeover: precise Meta Ads targeting, Hyros tracking, and high-impact creative.
• $373 ,982 in revenue in 3 months = 2.89x ROAS (435% up)
• 6,228 leads (up 289%)
• 338 sales (up 526%)
• 798 qualified calls (up 375%)
• CPA down 41% to $779.71
Turning Steel into Gold” – 1,956% ROI & 20.56× ROAS
When Complex Steel Buildings, a Southern-California custom-steel-structure manufacturer, needed to scale and streamline their lead-generation process, we partnered with them to implement
• A hyper-targeted Meta Ads-based campaign
• Friction-free on-platform lead-capture
• Fully automated follow-up using GoHighLevel
The result: $12.2 K ad spend → $251 K in sales in 6 months (1,956% ROI) with 20.56× ROAS.
Nestor Gutierrez: 11× ROAS • Coaching Offer Launched in Days
With only $1,619 in ad spend, Great Marketing AI generated 105 lead-form submissions, 98 high-quality leads, and closed 9 deals for Nestor—delivering $17,768 in revenue and a Cost-Per-Sale of just $179.92.From an unlaunched offer to a predictable revenue system—built using Meta Ads + streamlined follow-up automation.
KCB Plumbing: 375% More Organic Traffic • 119% Direct Uplift in 90 Days
KCB was spending money on ads—but conversions stagnated. Great Marketing AI rebuilt their digital foundation: rewriting messaging, redesigning the site with conversion in mind, and layering AI-driven CRO best practices.• Direct traffic users up 119.23% in 90 days.
• Organic search users increased 375% in the same period.
• Engaged sessions from organic search jumped 400%; average engagement time up 114.94%.
8.16× ROAS • $14,500 Revenue from Just $1.8K Ad Spend
Faced with no consistent way to attract high-ticket coaching clients, Palomino turned to Great Marketing AI. We built a full-funnel acquisition engine — from precision Meta Ads to AI-powered content and automated lead-nurture workflows.
• 192 qualified opportunities created in the funnel.
• $1,775.70 ad spend → $14,500 in revenue.
• Cost per Sale (CPS): $887.85 — efficient for a premium coaching program.
The Kitchen Store: Website Remodel That Revamped Lead Flow
With 60 years of showroom legacy in Culver City, The Kitchen Store had solid prestige—but their website wasn’t doing it justice. Great Marketing AI stepped in and turned the digital storefront into a real conversion engine.
• Outdated site → full redesign: high-end visuals, mobile optimization, trust elements up front.
• Simplified the buyer journey: prominent CTA “Schedule a FREE Design Consultation,” easier forms, sticky navigation.
• Early wins: more form submissions, deeper engagement, improved handoff from ads to conversion.
NP Digital: 800% Growth & 81% Cost Reduction in 5 Days
When a leading performance-marketing agency (NP Digital) discovered their own Meta ads were under-performing, they partnered with Great Marketing AI.
In just five days we rebuilt their campaigns—better targeting, scroll-stopping creative, and pixel optimization.
The result? 63 conversions (vs 7) + cost per result down from $284.77 to $52.74 + click-through rate up 71.7%.Albert Preciado: 435% Revenue Surge • 526% Sales Growth
After relying on Instagram “boosts,” Albert’s business was stuck in visibility mode—not high-conversion mode. We stepped in with a full funnel makeover: precise Meta Ads targeting, Hyros tracking, and high-impact creative.
• $373 ,982 in revenue in 3 months = 2.89x ROAS (435% up)
• 6,228 leads (up 289%)
• 338 sales (up 526%)
• 798 qualified calls (up 375%)
• CPA down 41% to $779.71
Turning Steel into Gold” – 1,956% ROI & 20.56× ROAS
When Complex Steel Buildings, a Southern-California custom-steel-structure manufacturer, needed to scale and streamline their lead-generation process, we partnered with them to implement
• A hyper-targeted Meta Ads-based campaign
• Friction-free on-platform lead-capture
• Fully automated follow-up using GoHighLevel
The result: $12.2 K ad spend → $251 K in sales in 6 months (1,956% ROI) with 20.56× ROAS.
Nestor Gutierrez: 11× ROAS • Coaching Offer Launched in Days
With only $1,619 in ad spend, Great Marketing AI generated 105 lead-form submissions, 98 high-quality leads, and closed 9 deals for Nestor—delivering $17,768 in revenue and a Cost-Per-Sale of just $179.92.From an unlaunched offer to a predictable revenue system—built using Meta Ads + streamlined follow-up automation.
KCB Plumbing: 375% More Organic Traffic • 119% Direct Uplift in 90 Days
KCB was spending money on ads—but conversions stagnated. Great Marketing AI rebuilt their digital foundation: rewriting messaging, redesigning the site with conversion in mind, and layering AI-driven CRO best practices.• Direct traffic users up 119.23% in 90 days.
• Organic search users increased 375% in the same period.
• Engaged sessions from organic search jumped 400%; average engagement time up 114.94%.
8.16× ROAS • $14,500 Revenue from Just $1.8K Ad Spend
Faced with no consistent way to attract high-ticket coaching clients, Palomino turned to Great Marketing AI. We built a full-funnel acquisition engine — from precision Meta Ads to AI-powered content and automated lead-nurture workflows.
• 192 qualified opportunities created in the funnel.
• $1,775.70 ad spend → $14,500 in revenue.
• Cost per Sale (CPS): $887.85 — efficient for a premium coaching program.
The Kitchen Store: Website Remodel That Revamped Lead Flow
With 60 years of showroom legacy in Culver City, The Kitchen Store had solid prestige—but their website wasn’t doing it justice. Great Marketing AI stepped in and turned the digital storefront into a real conversion engine.
• Outdated site → full redesign: high-end visuals, mobile optimization, trust elements up front.
• Simplified the buyer journey: prominent CTA “Schedule a FREE Design Consultation,” easier forms, sticky navigation.
• Early wins: more form submissions, deeper engagement, improved handoff from ads to conversion.
About Rafael Hernandez
Rafael Hernandez is the CEO and Founder of Great Marketing AI, an agency built to fuse technical excellence with creative firepower.
A UC Berkeley graduate and former Microsoft engineer, Rafael combines world-class marketing with AI-powered systems that turn clicks into clients.
He leads with speed, high standards, and a commitment to meaningful results.
How Can We Help You?
Our Clients
Trusted by 100+ happy customers worldwide
Learn more about Great Marketing AI →
FAQ
Have any questions?
Your burning questions, answered swiftly and succinctly.
Hire Us
FAQ
Have any questions?
Your burning questions, answered swiftly and succinctly.
Hire Us
FAQ
Have any questions?
Your burning questions, answered swiftly and succinctly.