David Ogilvy

David MacKenzie Ogilvy, CBE, (June 23, 1911–July 21, 1999), was a notable advertising executive. He has often been called "The Father of Advertising." In 1962, Time called him "the most sought-after wizard in today's advertising industry." He was known for a career of expanding the bounds of both creativity and morality in advertising.

Ogilvy’s advertising mantra followed these four basic principles,

• Research: coming, as he did, from a background in research, he never underestimated its importance in advertising. In fact, in 1952, when he opened his own agency, he billed himself as research director.
• Professional discipline: "I prefer the discipline of knowledge to the anarchy of ignorance." He codified knowledge into slide and film presentations he called Magic Lanterns. He also instituted several training programs for young advertising professionals.
• Creative brilliance: had a strong emphasis on the "BIG IDEA."
• Results for clients: "In the modern world of business, it is useless to be a creative, original thinker unless you can also sell what you create."

I personally don't find his work all that inspiring except for the headers within them which make the adverts more interesting. Majority of the images within his ads i find a bit dull and not very engaging although they possibly were at the time.