Watch The Real Mad Men of Advertising

The Real Mad Men of Advertising is a documentary series that premiered on the Smithsonian Channel in 2017. The show focuses on the advertising industry during the 1950s and 1960s, a time that is commonly referred to as the golden age of advertising. The series takes viewers on a journey through the history of advertising, exploring the creative minds behind some of the most iconic ad campaigns of the era.

The show features interviews with industry experts and veterans, including John Slattery, who played the role of Roger Sterling in the popular television series Mad Men. Slattery provides insightful commentary on the advertising world and shares his experience portraying a character during the time period. Robert J. Thompson, a media scholar, and Matt Gulbranson, a cultural critic, also appear on the show to provide historical and cultural context to the advertising world.

The Real Mad Men of Advertising is divided into six episodes, each of which explores a different theme related to advertising during the golden age. The first episode, "When Advertising Was Born," takes viewers back to the beginning of the industry, looking at how advertising evolved from simple product descriptions to sophisticated campaigns that appealed to consumers' emotions and desires.

Subsequent episodes look at specific aspects of advertising, such as the role of women in the industry, the emergence of television as the dominant medium for advertising, and the impact of iconic campaigns such as Volkswagen's "Think Small" and Coca-Cola's "Hilltop" ad.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the show is the in-depth look at the creative process behind these campaigns. The series doesn't just highlight the finished product but rather examines the brainstorming and testing processes that led to the final ad.

Another interesting aspect of the series is its exploration of how advertising intersected with culture and society during the time period. For example, the third episode, "The Selling of the Sixties," examines how advertising both reflected and created cultural trends during this turbulent decade, with campaigns that reflected the rise of the counterculture, civil rights movement, and women's liberation.

Overall, The Real Mad Men of Advertising is a captivating and informative series that provides a unique look at one of the most fascinating and influential periods in advertising history. With its expert commentary, insightful interviews, and stunning archival footage, it's a must-watch for anyone interested in the world of advertising, the cultural history of the United States, or simply the art of persuasion.

The Real Mad Men of Advertising is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between January 8, 2017 and on Smithsonian CHANNEL