QuoteProject
I was doing a campaign once for a manufacturer, and I couldn't think of an ideas, and I was kind of desperate about it. The night before I had to show something to my client I had a dream, an interesting dream. I woke up and for once in my life I wrote it down and went back to sleep Next morning I went to the office and had that dream out into a TV commercial which is still running thirty years after and which has made that particular product the leader in its field.
David Ogilvy
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote illustrates how inspiration can strike unexpectedly and lead to significant achievements.

David Ogilvy's quote speaks to the power of inspiration and how a moment of creativity, often coming in dreams, can lead to outstanding results. It highlights the importance of being open to ideas from any source, especially in moments of difficulty, and illustrates how one can transform a fleeting thought into a successful reality that persists over time.

Themes

InspirationCreativitySuccessDreamAdvertising

In practice

Example use cases

A motivational speech to encourage creativity in the workplace.

More from David Ogilvy

The headline is the 'ticket on the meat.' Use it to flag down readers who are prospects for the kind of product you are advertising.
David OgilvyRead
Our business is infested with idiots who try to impress by using pretentious jargon.
David OgilvyRead
Some manufacturers illustrate their advertisements with abstract paintings. I would only do this if I wished to conceal from the reader what I was advertising.
David OgilvyRead
Much of the messy advertising you see on television today is the product of committees. Committees can criticize advertisements, but they should never be allowed to create them.
David OgilvyRead
The best ideas come as jokes. Make your thinking as funny as possible.
David OgilvyRead
Experience has taught me that advertisers get the best results when they pay their agency a flat fee. It is unrealistic to expect your agency to be impartial when its vested interest lies wholly in the direction of increasing your commissionable advertising.
David OgilvyRead

Similar quotes

Perfection is often the enemy of greatness.
Janelle MonaeRead
I think when you've had success, publishers and reviewers and readers are willing to let you try something new if you've already proven yourself. They're excited about what you're doing, you have people interested in it, and actually waiting for it. It's empowering.
Lois LowryRead
Time well spent results in more money to spend, more money to save, and more time to vacation.
Zig ZiglarRead
I think my constant fiddling and meddling with the status quo may have been one of my biggest contributions to the later success of Wal-Mart.
Sam WaltonRead
If you want to make short-term profits from the stock price, then I am a very bad president. But I don't think I'm so bad for maximizing the long-term value of Nintendo.
Satoru IwataRead
It's much easier to be successful than it is to be relevant. The tricks won't keep you relevant. Tricks might keep you popular for a while, but in all honesty, I don't know how U2 will stay relevant. I know we've got a future. I know we can fill stadiums. And yet with every record, I think, 'Is this it? Are we still relevant?'
BonoRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.