// Book comparison
Ogilvy on Advertising vs Think Again
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy and Think Again by Adam Grant.
Ogilvy on Advertising
by David Ogilvy
★ 4.9/5
Think Again
by Adam Grant
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| Ogilvy on Advertising | Think Again | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 224 | 320 |
| Reading time | ~5.6 h | ~8.0 h |
| Published | 1983 | 2021 |
| Author | David Ogilvy | Adam Grant |
| Category | Marketing & Sales | Leadership |
| Publisher | Vintage | Viking |
Choose Ogilvy on Advertising if…
- → You're interested in marketing & sales.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
- → You prefer a shorter read (~5.6 hours).
Choose Think Again if…
- → You're interested in leadership.
- → You want the more recent perspective (2021).
Key takeaways — Ogilvy on Advertising
- ✓ Prioritize Market Research as the foundation of your creative strategy, ensuring that your organization's messaging is based on what actually motivates the consumer to buy.
- ✓ Develop a Big Idea for every campaign—a singular, arresting concept that makes your brand stand out and provides a unified strategic direction for all marketing assets.
- ✓ Focus on Informational Persuasion, recognizing that 'the more you tell, the more you sell,' especially when dealing with high-stakes or complex product offerings.
Key takeaways — Think Again
- ✓ Adopt a Scientist Mindset by treating your business strategies as hypotheses that require constant testing and validation against new market data and feedback.
- ✓ Cultivate Confident Humility, acknowledging the limits of your knowledge to remain open to better ideas and more accurate strategic insights from your workforce.
- ✓ Foster a Rethinking Culture within your team by rewarding the 'courage to be wrong' and encouraging the regular questioning of established organizational best practices.
The verdict
If you want the higher-rated, shorter read, start with Ogilvy on Advertising. If you specifically need leadership, Think Again is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is Ogilvy on Advertising or Think Again better? +
Ogilvy on Advertising has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. Ogilvy on Advertising focuses on marketing & sales, while Think Again focuses on leadership. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, Ogilvy on Advertising or Think Again? +
Ogilvy on Advertising is shorter (224 pages, ~5.6 hours) compared to Think Again (320 pages, ~8.0 hours).
Should I read Ogilvy on Advertising or Think Again first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with Ogilvy on Advertising. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.