Confessions of an Advertising Man

First printed in a run of 5,000 copies, with the profits promised to his son, David Ogilvy's 1963 playbook went on to sell more than a million. The founder of the Ogilvy agency arranges over two hundred rules across eleven chapters. Early chapters cover running a creative business, winning and keeping clients, and how clients should treat their agencies. Later chapters turn to the craft of advertising: disciplined headlines and body copy, pictures that stir curiosity such as the Hathaway man's eye patch, specific advice for food, travel and drug products, and a short chapter on the still young medium of television. Another chapter lists habits that help young people climb faster.

Ronn Torossian, founder of 5W PR, said its ideas matter to anyone in marketing, PR or business, and Instagramology founder Robert Katai said it belongs on every marketer's shelf.