Synopses & Reviews
James Twitchell takes an in-depth look at the ads and ad campaigns—and their creators—that have most influenced our culture and marketplace in the twentieth century. P. T. Barnum’s creation of buzz, Pepsodent and the magic of the preemptive claim, Listerine introducing America to the scourge of halitosis, Nike’s “Just Do It,” Clairol’s “Does She or Doesn’t She?,” Leo Burnett’s invention of the Marlboro Man, Revlon’s Charlie Girl, Coke’s re-creation of Santa Claus, Absolut and the art world—these campaigns are the signposts of a century of consumerism, our modern canon understood, accepted, beloved, and hated the world over.
Synopsis
James Twitchell takes an in-depth look at the ads and ad campaigns—and their creators—that have most influenced our culture and marketplace in the twentieth century. P. T. Barnums creation of buzz, Pepsodent and the magic of the preemptive claim, Listerine introducing America to the scourge of halitosis, Nikes “Just Do It,” Clairols “Does She or Doesnt She?,” Leo Burnetts invention of the Marlboro Man, Revlons Charlie Girl, Cokes re-creation of Santa Claus, Absolut and the art world—these campaigns are the signposts of a century of consumerism, our modern canon understood, accepted, beloved, and hated the world over.
Synopsis
In what is poised to be the seminal text on advertising, one of the country's most respected advertising and media critics offers a fascinating look at the 20 ads in the 20th century that have most shaped our buying decisions, our culture, and global language.
James Twitchell, preeminent scholar and author of the classic Adcult USA, deconstructs the ads that have most profoundly influenced our culture and marketplace, ads that have become signposts in our modern canon of consumerism. From Listerine's campaign of terror about halitosis to Nike's command to "Just Do It, " he examines the geniuses behind the ads and how and why they have indelibly entered our popular lexicon.
About the Author
JAMES B. TWITCHELL is the author of several books on advertising, including Adcult USA: The Triumph of Advertising in American Culture and Carnival Culture: The Trashing of Taste in America. He is an alumnus professor of English at the University of Florida.