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

PRAISE FOR THE KING OF MADISON AVENUE

This brilliant biography is like the tip of a gorgeous iceberg. It dazzles and below is a mass of weighty research. Kenneth Roman enchants us with his account of the life and times of David Ogilvy, who towered above the world of advertising. Below is the hitherto hidden work of a wartime agent. Churchill, we are reminded, galvanized an entire wartime navy with words written on one side of a small sheet of paper. Ogilvy excited the public with similar brevity. The story is told swiftly. The voluminous research will fascinate those who want to know why it was vital to paint a background of grave historical events in this portrait of a singular man. It should be read by all, in or out of salesmanship.

William Stevenson, author, A Man Called Intrepid

At last! The definitive biography of the most influential advertising executive with whom I had the pleasure of working. Ken Roman has brought more of Davids uniqueness to light. A great read.

Jack Keenan, former CEO, Kraft Foods International
and Diageo PLC Wine and Spirits

A great biography of a truly great man. David Ogilvy rewrote the book on modern advertising. With The King of Madison Avenue, Ken Roman tells his story in a fashion that is worthy of Davids accomplishments. Extensively researched and very well written.

Philip Carroll, former CEO, Shell Oil

A terrific read! David Ogilvy was unquestionably the King of Madison Avenue. This intimate portrayal makes clear Ogilvys inspiring leadership of his agency. Ogilvys convictions about what made for effective advertisingit sellsare clearly described as is his brilliant personal salesmanship in winning new clients.

Ron Daniel, former managing partner, McKinsey & Co.

A most interesting book. It is a sensitive account of the career of this complex man who so successfully melded intuition and analysis. It should be compulsory reading for anyone contemplating a career in advertising or communications.

Sir Michael Angus, former chairman, Unilever

David and Leo were very different types but great mutual admirers. Ken Romans book is thoroughly researched and very well written. The boss would be proud of him.

Cap Adams, former CEO, Leo Burnett Co.

A wonderful job recounting the life of so complicated a person. Beautifully written.

Harold Burson, founder, Burson-Marsteller Public Relations

A surprisingly interesting book about one of the most remarkable characters in advertising history.

Martin Mayer, author of Madison Avenue USA

A fascinating portrayal of a unique life and the contribution made to an evolving industry. Really well done.

Carlo Vittorini, former publisher, Parade

Ken Roman has drawn a vivid, flesh-and-blood portrait of one of the giants of twentieth century business, and reminds us that David Ogilvys revolutionary insights into the souls of consumers are still worth more than all the advertising algorithms underlying the Internet.

Randall Rothenberg, President & CEO, Interactive Advertising Bureau,
former New York Times advertising columnist

Nobody ever need write another word about David Ogilvy, now that Ken Roman has written The King of Madison Avenue. Its the definitive biography of the most amazing man the advertising business has ever known. This is the fairest, most thoughtful, most complete and most human biography of that flawed genius we are ever likely to get. The King of Madison Avenue is to other biographies as David Ogilvys advertising was to that of other agencies: simply superior. Everyone who ever knew David Ogilvy will find something about the man they didnt know, and those who never knew him will have a rollicking good time getting to know him. This has to be the most readable book ever written about advertising.

Bruce McCall, New Yorker writer and illustrator

Having read Confessions of an Advertising Man at least seven times, I thought I knew all there was to know about David Ogilvy. I was wrong. In The King of Madison Avenue, Ken Roman has shown me a David Ogilvy that no one has ever seen before. Its a must read for anyone in or out of the advertising business. Ogilvy was brilliant and surely one of the original Mad Men. My only regret is that Cary Grant has passed on. He would have been a great David Ogilvy in the movie that will surely be made of The King of Madison Avenue.

Jerry Della Femina, Chairman and CEO,
Della Femina/Rothschild/Jeary & Partners

PRAISE FOR KENNETH ROMANS
PREVIOUS BOOKS

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Don Sexton, Professor of Business, Columbia University

ALSO BY KENNETH ROMAN

How to Advertise, with Jane Maas

Writing That Works, with Joel Raphaelson

DAVID OGILVY AND THE MAKING OF MODERN ADVERTISING

KENNETH ROMAN

THE KING OF MADISON AVENUE
Copyright Kenneth Roman, 2009.
All rights reserved.

First published in 2009 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN in the US-a division of St. Martins Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

Where this book is distributed in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, this is by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS.

Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world.

Palgrave and Macmillan are registered trademarks in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries.

ISBN-13: 978-0-2302-3632-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Roman, Kenneth.

The king of Madison Avenue : David Ogilvy and the making of modern advertising / by Kenneth Roman.