Not much has changed in the line of advertising — where you do what you have to in order to sell whatever it is you’re promoting.
It’s the same now as it was in the 1960s, where the award-winning and critically acclaimed series Mad Men, premiering Sunday on CTV at 10 p.m., is set.
Created by Emmy Award-winning writer and producer Matthew Weiner (The Sopranos), this dramatic program is based on the lives of ruthlessly competitive men and women working in the advertising world of 1960 Manhattan.
It depicts the sexual exploits and social mores of the most innovative yet merciless profession.
Mad Men unfolds around Golden Globe-winner Jon Hamm as Don Draper, one of the biggest ad men in the business as he calls the shots in the boardroom — and the bedroom — he struggles to stay a step ahead of the rapidly changing society and the young executives nipping at his heels.
In the debut episode, America’s favourite pastime — smoking — is under scrutiny as a Reader’s Digest story reveals that the habit is deadly. And Don is under pressure from his client Lucky Strike to spin the information in tobacco’s favour.
Though it’s not all about smoky boardrooms, booze and sex the way it was then, it’s still as cut throat, if not worse. Advertising is around us every day, it doesn’t matter where you are. Look around you.
From billboards to park benches, magazines to newspapers, radio to television, it’s everywhere. If we look at what we’re wearing from head to toe, you’ll find that we’re walking advertisements.
When you pick up that Guess purse or those Sean Jean sweat pants or that Calvin Klein suit — you’re selling just like any advertiser in the business.
In advertising it really doesn’t matter what you want, who you are or what you love — it’s all about “the sell.”
– Sandy Caetano has interviewed stars like Leanne Rimes, Lionel Richie, Paul Anka, Good Charlotte and more.
