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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryStrategy & FrameworksDAGMAR

Strategy & Frameworks

DAGMAR

Russell Colley's 1961 approach, 'Defining Advertising Goals for Measured Advertising Results', which sets measurable communication objectives for each campaign.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

DAGMAR, short for Defining Advertising Goals for Measured Advertising Results, is Russell Colley's 1961 approach to setting measurable communication objectives for each campaign. It argues advertising should move audiences through stages such as awareness, comprehension, conviction and action, with specific targets set in advance so results can be evaluated.