Portfolio Magazine, the rag for sexy business people, has a video interview up featuring Shelly Lazarus, Chairman and C.E.O of Ogilvy & Mather. In this video, she discusses the idea of the brand. Her final thought:
“The business plan for Ogilvy almost writes itself, because we need to have people who can help clients influence brand perception at every point of contact.”
Just in case you didn’t know, Ms. Lazarus is constantly named to those most powerful women in business lists, as well as the most potent in advertising from both sexes. She began working at Ogilvy when David was still sitting in on client meetings. She’s an O.G. folks with a three decades in the business to back up her insights, as well as a psychology degree from Smith College and an M.B.A. from Columbia. She was one of only four chicks in her class. Shelly was part of the original Cashmere Mafia before the whole idea of women in business became a running, high heeled, joke created by Candice Bushnell or Darren Star.
We’re not even going to get into the list of awards she has received, nor the numerous boards she sits on or the plethora of philanthropic activities. Shelly spends a great deal of time on the lecture circuit, as well as commenting on leadership, women in business, and on career and life issues. She’s an advertising pundit and beyond. Plus, Shelly held down this amazing career, while being a wife and mother to three grown children.
Shiiiit. You better recognize.
Ogilvy has had its ups and downs, but it’s still one of the biggest shops out there with Shelly helping to keep things in check. This woman is not sleeping at the wheel like so many high-level zombies. She’s open to change and keeps up on what consumers are up to. Shocking, but true. Here our some of the Lazarus’ most recongizable quotes:
[source]“Don’t underestimate the value people place on authenticity. Politicians listen to the focus groups and say the things they think people want to hear. But after 30 years of reading consumers, I know that they can smell phonies.”
“We’re living in a world now where consumers are bombarded with thousands of commercial messages – they’re everywhere you look. Unless you can cut through that and engage someone, I think you are lost. Consumers are now clearly in control. They control what they hear and see, when, and where. You have to find ways to allow them to actively engage with you, or the money you spend is wasted.”