Meaning: David Ogilvy, often hailed as the "Father of Advertising," was a prominent advertising executive and founder of the advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather. In his quote, "Like a midwife, I make my living bringing new babies into the world, except that mine are new advertising campaigns," Ogilvy draws a compelling analogy between the role of a midwife in delivering babies and his own role in creating and launching advertising campaigns. This comparison sheds light on the creative and nurturing aspects of the advertising profession and highlights the responsibility of advertising professionals in bringing forth and nurturing new ideas and campaigns.

Ogilvy's comparison of himself to a midwife implies that he sees himself as a facilitator and nurturer of new ideas, much like a midwife who assists in the birth of a new life. This analogy reflects the creative and nurturing nature of the advertising industry, where professionals are tasked with conceptualizing, developing, and nurturing new advertising campaigns from their inception to their launch. It also underscores the sense of responsibility and care that advertising professionals must exercise in ensuring the success and growth of these campaigns, much like a midwife does in facilitating the healthy birth of a new child.

Furthermore, the comparison also highlights the idea of bringing something new and significant into the world. Just as a midwife helps bring new life into the world, so too does an advertising professional play a role in introducing new products, services, or ideas to the public through innovative and impactful campaigns. Ogilvy's analogy serves to emphasize the importance of advertising in introducing and promoting new concepts and offerings to the market, thereby contributing to the growth and evolution of businesses and industries.

Ogilvy's choice of the term "babies" to describe advertising campaigns also conveys a sense of affection and care towards the projects he undertakes. This choice of language reflects the emotional investment and dedication that advertising professionals often have towards their campaigns, viewing them as creations that they nurture and guide through their development and launch. It also speaks to the level of personal involvement and commitment that professionals like Ogilvy have towards their work, treating each campaign with a sense of pride and responsibility, much like a parent would towards their child.

In conclusion, David Ogilvy's analogy of himself as a midwife in bringing new advertising campaigns into the world offers a unique perspective on the creative and nurturing aspects of the advertising profession. By likening the process of developing and launching campaigns to the role of a midwife in delivering babies, Ogilvy emphasizes the creative responsibility, care, and dedication that advertising professionals must exercise in their work. This analogy serves to underscore the significance of advertising in introducing and promoting new ideas, products, and services, while also highlighting the emotional investment and commitment that professionals bring to their campaigns. Overall, Ogilvy's quote encapsulates the profound impact and responsibility of advertising professionals in shaping and bringing new concepts and offerings into the world.