The Real Mad Men – Episode 1: David Ogilvy – Father of Modern Advertising

Step into the world of David Ogilvy, the original Mad Man who transformed the advertising industry. From the Hathaway Man to Rolls-Royce, Ogilvy didn’t just sell products — he built enduring brand stories rooted in research, clarity, and creativity. In this episode of The Real Mad Men, Michael Zima of Zima Media explores how Ogilvy’s 1950s methods are more relevant than ever in today’s digital marketing world.

Whether you're a startup founder, digital marketer, or curious about advertising history, this masterclass in brand storytelling, copywriting, and campaign strategy will teach you lessons that still work — from Madison Avenue to Meta Ads.

📌 Chapters / Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro: The Original Mad Man
0:55 – Act 1: Early Life & Unlikely Beginnings
2:30 – Act 2: Founding Ogilvy & Mather – Strategy Before Glamour
4:14 – Hathaway: The Man in the Eyepatch Who Sold Shirts
6:55 – Schweppes: Commander Whitehead & the Birth of Brand Persona
9:33 – Dove: “1/4 Cleansing Cream” & Emotional Data-Driven Marketing
12:53 – Rolls-Royce: The 719-Word Ad That Whispered Luxury
16:55 – Act 4: Ogilvy’s Legacy in the Digital Age
18:11 – Why Branding & Big Ideas Still Win
19:11 – A/B Testing Before Google: Ogilvy’s Data Obsession
20:39 – The Consumer Isn’t a Moron – Empathy in Advertising
21:37 – Brand Storytelling + Results = Modern Campaigns
22:58 – Conclusion: Ogilvy’s Enduring Magic