The Real Mad Men of Advertising

The Real Mad Men of Advertising is a captivating documentary series on the Smithsonian Channel from 2017 that pulls back the curtain on the intriguing world of advertising. It is an absorbing and vivid display of how advertising reflects the culture, economy, and politics of every epoch. Showcasing a wealth of snippets from iconic ad campaigns to vintage commercials, the show gives viewers a blast from the past while providing a deep insight into the hidden dimensions of the advertising world.

Born from the maze of Madison Avenue in the mid-century era of slick-haired men in three-piece business suits and fashionable women breaking glass ceilings, the advertising industry has always been a cornerstone of American society. The Real Mad Men of Advertising offers an enchanting and thorough exploration of the nexus between creativity, consumerism, and capitalism, portrayed on the some of the biggest billboard canvases of New York City.

Evolving over four one-hour long episodes, the show cross-examines the symptomatic relationship between the ad industry and wider society, terrain, and cross-continental affairs. Each episode incorporates interviews with legendary ad-makers, industry insiders, analysts, and cultural critics, intercut with classic ads, tracing the history of advertising over decades and the seismic shift in its approach and creative content.

The colorful journey starts with the 1950s, a period when post-war prosperity created new consumer demands and avenues. As America transitioned from depression and war to advancement and wealth, advertising became the medium through which the masses connected with advancements and new products. From promotions of cars to toothpaste, soaps to cigarettes, the 1950s episode encompasses the emerging revolution in advertising, revealing some of the secrets and strategies devised by the ad moguls of the time.

Moving on to the 1960s and 1970s, the series delves into an era when advertisers discovered social consciousness and began incorporating the era's demographic shifts, economic changes, health awareness, and social revolutions into their commercials. Capturing the raw zeitgeist of the time, the advertising industry was able to explore and show the essence of the American identity in new and profound ways.

In the 1980s episode, the focus shifts to the 'mad men' and 'ad women' who were designing campaigns during the boom and glitz of Reagan's America. It dwells on how the ad makers adapted to the ever-changing consumer landscape, the advancement in technology, the introduction of cable TV, and the increased competition in the market.

The series concludes with the 1990s, offering insight into the coming of the Internet age, and how digital evolution swept through advertising like a storm. It inspects how marketers navigate the digital sea change and how an ad shift fundamentally reshaped the industry's approach towards conveying persuasive messages to the consumer.

The Real Mad Men of Advertising does not shy away from the dark side of the advertising world, either. It offers a fearless and often biting critique of the industry's sexist portrayal of women, racial stereotyping, and lackadaisical attitudes towards the health effects of products like sugary drinks or cigarettes. Further, it explores the moral, ethical, and philosophical implications of manipulation through advertising, as well as the industry's insidious role in fostering and exploiting consumerism during different times.

The show is a comprehensive and masterful showcase of American advertising history, revealing the complex interplay between culture and commerce, and how ads have, over time, shaped and been shaped by the societies that have hosted them. It lets you indulge in the nostalgia of past advertisements, some painfully outdated, others that still resonate, and gives you a sense of nostalgia that comes from charting the growth and evolution of the craft.

From catchy jingles to memetic imagery, compelling slogans to cinematic short stories, The Real Mad Men of Advertising reveals the paradox and power of advertising - an industry that both reflects our hopes and desires and shapes them. By watching this series, one would appreciate the creativity, wit, and fierceness of this game of influencing people.

Whether you're a Mad Men fan looking for a deeper dive into the world of Don Draper, or simply intrigued by the sociocultural dimensions of advertising, The Real Mad Men of Advertising is a fascinating binge-worthy treat. It’s both an enlightening documentary and a delightful journey back in time, offering a comprehensive study of a profession that often sells more than just products - it sells dreams, stirs emotions, and shapes societies.