Today, the New York Times published an article about Madison Avenue’s latest obsession - the old school ad men on AMC’s Mad Men, premiering its second season in late July. The One Club for Art and Copy, an organization in New York that honors creativity in advertising is presenting an exhibition at the New York Public Library intended to honor the real life men and women of Madison Avenue. Here are a few of our favorites and the lessons they have passed down to us.

David Ogilvy (1911–1999)

• a.k.a.: “The Father of Advertising”
• Agency: Ogilvy & Mather
• Legacy: Dove Soap, Schweppes, Rolls Royce
• Philosophy: Four basic principles of advertising include research, professional discipline, creative brilliance and results for clients.
• Who knew?: During World War II, Ogilvy worked with the Intelligence Service at the British Embassy in Washington.
• Quote: “The psychiatrists say that everybody should have a hobby. The hobby I recommend is advertising.”

George Lois (1931—    )

• a.k.a.: Pioneer of American advertising’s “Creative Revolution”
• Agency: Doyle Dane Bernbach; Papert, Koenig, Lois; Lois Holland Callaway
• Legacy: Esquire magazine art director, “I Want My MTV”
• Philosophy: “[Lois] Pushed the role of art director from artisan of design to shaper of ideas.” – Bill Pitts
• Who knew?: Lois’ agency (PKL) because the first in history to go public.
• Quote: “You make the matzoh, I’ll make the ads!” (selling his campaign to Goodman’s Matzos as he threatened to jump from a third story window.)

Mary Wells Lawrence (1928 –    )

• a.k.a.: “Madison Avenue’s CEO Beauty Queen” - USA TODAY
• Agency: McCann Erickson; Lennen & Newell; Doyle Dane Bernbach; Wells Rich Greene
• Legacy: Glass ceiling breaker (first female CEO of a NYSE-traded company); “Plop plop, fizz fizz,” “I Heart NY,” “Flick your Bic,” “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.”
• Philosophy: Relationship building with clients.
• Who knew?: Highest paid executive in advertising (1969)
• Quote: “In this business, you can never wash the dinner dishes and say they are done. You have to keep doing them constantly.”

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