Eulogy

By Pat Fallon

The clearer the vision, the deeper the passion, the higher the level of achievement. This could be a manifesto for DAVID OGILVY's remarkable life. I met him in Venice, Italy, in 1986. I was stunned to find out that he knew who I was and what I had done. As we parted he said, "Pat, you have it in your heart. I can tell. But unless you're ready to fight for what you believe in, it won't matter." Today I hear those words often, always in his voice. David Ogilvy was far more than a Hall of Fame copywriter. He became an icon and a brand. His legacy will be one of brilliance, complexity, flair, passion and proof that enduring values can indeed travel around the world. The strength of David's guiding principles, his respect for the consumer's intelligence and his determination to have truth be central to the commercial success of his agency, Ogilvy & Mather, made it possible for following generations of advertising agencies to prosper. By carefully disseminating his beliefs, David changed the face of advertising. His writings and books continue to provide not only the "how-to's" of contemporary best practices but also the inspiration for gloriously big, business-driving ideas. Thank you, David. It won't be the same without you.

--PAT FALLON, chairman, Fallon McElligott