The Timely Relevance of “Mad Men”

AMC really knows how to churn out breakout cable-network dramas and Mad Men is at the top. The 15-Emmy, 4-Golden Globes-winning show follows the professional and personal lives of a group of individuals working at an advertising company in Madison Square of New York—hence it’s punning title. An awesome title in itself and in relation to the show. This drama is set in the sixties, but it reintroduced the world of advertising to the modern generation.

photo by msquare21 via Flickr

Today, we get most of our media and news from the internet. Product placement has even soared. YouTube is like king when it comes to sources for videos, music, and networking. We’re enumerated with all kinds of advertisement and as technology advances, so do the means in which ads try to reach us. I’m sure you’ve read comments complaining about the numerous ads and even get peeved with the recurring commercials, yourself.

From “Mad Men” I learned facts about advertisement spots and what goes on in the boardroom.  There’s a reason for ads. As some of you know, the annoying ads that play before you get to view something is what makes your viewing free. Otherwise, you’d have to pay a monthly or annual fee to view and listen to all the data available ad-free.

Even though the content and way of advertising back then is dated, the formula hasn’t changed that drastically. Really listen to your target consumers, engage them with visuals and dialogue, provide information in an interesting way and encourage word of mouth (thank social media for the ease of that today). The messages in the show are still relevant today, like family and joys of childhood. It brings some nostalgia for some and a history lesson for others.

“Mad Men” came at the right time informing the public about content marketing amongst the primetime drama. It’s interesting to see an ad from the ‘60s about laundry detergent costing 59 cents compared to $12 today. Not only does the show integrate social progressions of that time, it’s timeless because communication is at the core and communication technique is constantly evolving. So how would Mad Men from the ‘60s fare in today’s world of ad overload?