20 Ogilvy Interview Questions and Answers

Ogilvy is a world-renowned advertising and marketing agency. Founded in 1948, Ogilvy has helped some of the world’s most iconic brands to connect with their customers and achieve their business goals.

If you’re lucky enough to land an interview with Ogilvy, you can expect to be asked some tough questions. In this article, we’ll give you a taste of what to expect, with some sample Ogilvy interview questions and answers.

Ogilvy Interview Process

The interview process at Ogilvy is generally quick and easy. However, some applicants have reported being ghosted by the HR department after initial contact. The process usually consists of a phone screening, followed by an interview with a manager. If you are applying for an internship, you may also have to complete a writing assignment.

1. What does business transformation mean to you?

Business transformation is a major part of the Ogilvy & Mather role. The interviewer wants to know how you would approach this process and what your experience has been with it in the past.

Example: “Business transformation means that an organization needs to change its business model or strategy to keep up with current trends, customer preferences and technology advancements. I’ve worked on several projects where we needed to transform our client’s marketing strategies to increase sales and improve brand awareness. In my last position, I led a team through a complete digital transformation for one of our clients. We started by researching their target audience and creating personas based on those findings. Then, we created content plans based on the goals of each persona.”

2. How would you get buy-in for your ideas from a client who is not receptive?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. Use examples from your past experience of working with clients who were not receptive to new ideas or change.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with a client who was very set in his ways and didn’t want to try anything new. He would often reject any idea that wasn’t what he wanted. However, I learned that it’s important to listen to the client and find out why they don’t want to try something. In this case, I found out that the client had tried several other marketing tactics before and none of them worked for him. So, I suggested we start small by testing one aspect of the campaign at a time.”

3. Do you have experience creating and implementing social media campaigns?

Social media is an important aspect of digital marketing, and employers may want to know if you have experience with this type of campaign. If you do, share a specific example of how you did it. If you don’t, you can talk about your interest in learning more about social media campaigns.

Example: “I’ve worked on several social media campaigns throughout my career. In one instance, I was tasked with creating a Facebook page for a new product launch. I created the page, set up a business page and added content that would be relevant to our target audience. We also used paid ads to promote the page and increase its visibility.”

4. Tell me about a time that you successfully implemented new technology in the workplace.

Technology is an important part of the digital marketing industry, and employers want to know that you have experience using new technology. Use your answer to highlight your comfort level with new technologies and how it helped you succeed in your previous role.

Example: “In my last position, I was tasked with creating a social media campaign for our client’s product launch. We decided to use influencer marketing as one of our strategies because we knew it would be more cost-effective than traditional advertising. However, finding influencers who were both relevant to our brand and affordable proved challenging.

I researched different platforms that could help us find influencers based on their content and follower base. After testing several platforms, I found one that worked well for our needs. The platform allowed me to search for influencers by keyword, which made finding influencers easier. It also had a feature that allowed me to see what other brands they worked with, so I could ensure they were a good fit for our company.”

5. Describe a time where you had to manage a large project, how did you keep everything organized?

This question is a great way to show your organizational skills and how you can manage multiple tasks at once. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to keep track of all the information involved in the project.

Example: “In my previous role as an account manager, I was responsible for managing several large projects at once. One of these projects required me to work with three different teams on various aspects of the campaign. To help organize everything, I created a spreadsheet that outlined each team member’s responsibilities and due dates. This helped me stay organized and ensure everyone was working toward the same goal.”

6. How do you stay up to date with current trends in advertising and communications?

This question can help the interviewer understand your dedication to learning and growing as a professional. Showcase your ability to learn new skills, adapt to change and stay motivated by explaining how you seek out information about current trends in advertising and communications.

Example: “I have always been passionate about staying up-to-date with current events and news. I subscribe to several newsletters that provide me with insights into digital marketing, social media and other relevant topics. I also attend conferences and seminars where experts share their knowledge on emerging technologies and best practices for using them effectively.”

7. Why are you interested in working at Ogilvy specifically?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to Ogilvy. It’s important to show that you’ve done some research on the company, its values and what makes it unique.

Example: “I’m interested in working at Ogilvy because of its reputation as one of the most innovative agencies in the world. I love the idea of being part of an agency that pushes the boundaries of marketing and advertising. In my last role, I was responsible for creating digital content for several brands, including a major retailer. I would love to use those skills to help clients reach their target audience.”

8. You will be dealing with difficult clients at times, can you describe a situation where you dealt with an unhappy customer?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with clients. When answering this question, try to describe how you handled the situation and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “I once had a client who was unhappy with our campaign because they didn’t see an increase in sales after we launched it. I met with them to discuss their concerns and learned that they were expecting more than just sales from the campaign. We then worked together to create a new campaign that would meet all of their needs.”

9. Explain some of your favorite influencer marketing campaigns.

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it. When answering this question, try to pick campaigns that are similar to what Ogilvy does.

Example: “I really enjoyed working on a campaign for a local restaurant where we used influencers who had large followings in their communities. We worked with them to create content about the restaurant’s food and service, and then promoted it through their social media channels. This resulted in an increase in sales by 30%.”

10. Are there any upcoming trends that you think are important?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you stay up-to-date on current events. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two trends that are important to you personally and explain why they’re relevant.

Example: “I think augmented reality will become more popular in the coming years. I’ve seen some brands use it effectively for marketing purposes, but there’s still so much room for improvement. I’m excited to see what new ideas brands come up with as they continue to experiment with this technology.”

11. Give us an example of how you could use data to improve our operations here at Ogilvy.

This question is a great way to show your analytical skills and how you can use data to make decisions. When answering this question, it’s important to explain the process of collecting information and using it to improve business operations.

Example: “I recently worked with a client who was looking for ways to increase their sales through digital marketing. I started by researching the company’s website and social media accounts to find out what content they were already producing. Then, I used Google Analytics to determine which types of content were most popular among users. From there, we created more content that would appeal to our target audience.”

12. How would you utilize social media as a way to communicate with customers?

Social media is a popular way for brands to communicate with customers. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience using social media in your previous roles and how you would use it to benefit their company. In your answer, explain which social media platforms you prefer to use and why. Explain that you will also be willing to learn new platforms as needed.

Example: “I believe that social media is an excellent platform for communicating with customers because it allows me to interact directly with them. I can respond to questions or concerns they may have about the brand’s products or services. I find that social media is especially useful when there are product recalls or other urgent issues that need to be addressed quickly.”

13. What role do you feel creativity plays when it comes to advertising?

Creativity is an important skill for any advertising professional. Employers ask this question to see if you understand the importance of creativity in your work and how it can help their company achieve its goals. In your answer, explain that creativity is essential to developing successful campaigns. Explain that you are a creative person who has many ideas about how to advertise effectively.

Example: “Creativity plays a huge role when it comes to advertising. I believe that without creativity, we would not be able to come up with new ways to reach our target audience or develop effective marketing strategies. As someone who is very creative, I am always coming up with new ideas for campaigns. I have experience creating advertisements that were both fun and informative.”

14. Can you tell me about a time that you had to work on a deadline?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle pressure and time constraints. It’s important to show that you’re able to work under pressure, but also prioritize your tasks so you can meet deadlines while maintaining quality.

Example: “In my previous role as a digital marketer, I had to create an entire social media campaign in just two days. The client was launching a new product and wanted to promote it on social media. I worked with my team to brainstorm ideas for the campaign and then created all of the content within the deadline.”

15. How do you measure success when it comes to influencer marketing?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience with influencer marketing and how it can be beneficial for their company. Use examples from past projects where you used influencers to help achieve goals or objectives.

Example: “I measure success in influencer marketing by the number of impressions, shares and likes an influencer’s content receives. I also look at the engagement rate on posts and comments to see if they are getting any feedback from followers. These metrics allow me to determine whether or not the influencer was successful in reaching their audience.”

16. Give an example of a time when you were able to convince someone to change their opinion.

This question is designed to assess your communication skills and ability to influence others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time you were able to change someone’s mind about something important.

Example: “In my previous role as a marketing manager for a small business, I was tasked with convincing the owner that we needed to invest in digital marketing channels. He had been hesitant to do so because he didn’t want to spend money on things that weren’t proven to work. After researching several different options, I presented him with data showing how much revenue each channel could generate. He agreed to implement some digital marketing strategies, which helped our company grow.”

17. Describe a time where you utilized mobile marketing strategies.

Mobile marketing is a growing field, and employers want to know that you have experience with this type of advertising. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge of mobile marketing and how it can be used effectively.

Example: “I recently worked on a campaign for a client who wanted to increase sales through their website. I created several landing pages that were optimized for mobile devices so users could access the content more easily. The client saw an increase in traffic from mobile devices after implementing these strategies.”

18. What brands stand out to you and why?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it. When answering this question, try to name brands that are relevant to Ogilvy’s work and explain why they stand out to you.

Example: “I’m impressed by Apple because they have managed to create an entire ecosystem for their customers. They make products that people love, but also provide services like music streaming and online storage. I think if more companies could do this, they would be able to build stronger relationships with their customers.”

19. What type of environment do you prefer to work in?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit in with their company culture. They also want to make sure that the work environment is one where you can be successful. Before your interview, research the company’s website or social media pages to see what type of workplace they have. If it seems like a good fit for you, share some similarities between your personality and theirs.

Example: “I prefer working in an open office space where I can collaborate with my coworkers. However, I also enjoy having time to myself to focus on projects. I think I would do well in a fast-paced environment where everyone supports each other.”

20. What kind of culture do you want to be a part of?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you’re a good fit for the company’s culture. They want to know that you’ll be able to work well with their current employees and contribute positively to the team. To answer this question, think about what kind of workplace environment you thrive in. Consider how your personality fits into the company’s values and goals.

Example: “I am looking for a place where I can make an impact on the world through my work. I’m excited by the idea of working at a company that is dedicated to making positive change in the world. I also value collaboration and teamwork, so I would love to be part of a company that encourages its employees to share ideas and support one another.”