Still watching Mad Men even though it’s currently in its fifth season? Of course you are. 
The fabulous sixties fashions, the increasingly crazier plotlines (why does this always happen as TV shows age?) and of course the man that is Don Draper. The series’ leading man who rules the show's fictional New York sixties advertising scene, Draper lives a high life. Chain-smoking, decent amounts of daytime office drinking and affair, after affair, all are the fuel to his life’s work spent selling people things they probably don’t need.
A role model to look up to for all you young ad people out there? Perhaps not. Although a lot has changed in advertising since the sixties and the time of real life Don Draper’s, fact of the matter is, advertising is still largely used to sell you things you don’t need. All whilst making sure more money goes to those who have plenty and away from others who have none.
Insert sad face emoticon here? Not quite yet. Not until you consider that advertising is, of course, not the only profession that is dominated by profit making and other not-so-nice things. Designers, stock traders, PR people, many roles in business - a lot of work that any given person does relates back to making someone else large sums of money at the end of the day.
Insert sad face emoticon now? It would seem appropriate, yet as Monty Python taught us,
always remember to look on the bright smiley emoticon side of life… ok so that’s not exactly how they said it but they would have if the internet was around in the 70s. The point is, for every few hundred or even thousands of businesses out there motivated by the bottom line, there is one who is not. Even in the advertising industry there are positive examples. Take Sydney company, Make Believe as a case in point. A communications consultancy, they work exclusively with non-profits, making ads to let you know about the real important things in life.
Ok, so although things out there in the business world might not be perfect, there is some hope. There are also things you can do yourself as well. Heard of our very own Design4 Change program? It’s all about telling those in the creative/communications industries just how to use those skills of yours for good, not evil. You may want to check it out. In any other industry or just want a few quick tips? Have a look at our three key tips on how not to become a future Mad Man right here…
Image Credit: Wall Street New York by Matthew Knott
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The fabulous sixties fashions, the increasingly crazier plotlines (why does this always happen as TV shows age?) and of course the man that is Don Draper. The series’ leading man who rules the show's fictional New York sixties advertising scene, Draper lives a high life. Chain-smoking, decent amounts of daytime office drinking and affair, after affair, all are the fuel to his life’s work spent selling people things they probably don’t need.A role model to look up to for all you young ad people out there? Perhaps not. Although a lot has changed in advertising since the sixties and the time of real life Don Draper’s, fact of the matter is, advertising is still largely used to sell you things you don’t need. All whilst making sure more money goes to those who have plenty and away from others who have none.
Insert sad face emoticon here? Not quite yet. Not until you consider that advertising is, of course, not the only profession that is dominated by profit making and other not-so-nice things. Designers, stock traders, PR people, many roles in business - a lot of work that any given person does relates back to making someone else large sums of money at the end of the day.
Insert sad face emoticon now? It would seem appropriate, yet as Monty Python taught us,
always remember to look on the bright smiley emoticon side of life… ok so that’s not exactly how they said it but they would have if the internet was around in the 70s. The point is, for every few hundred or even thousands of businesses out there motivated by the bottom line, there is one who is not. Even in the advertising industry there are positive examples. Take Sydney company, Make Believe as a case in point. A communications consultancy, they work exclusively with non-profits, making ads to let you know about the real important things in life.Ok, so although things out there in the business world might not be perfect, there is some hope. There are also things you can do yourself as well. Heard of our very own Design4 Change program? It’s all about telling those in the creative/communications industries just how to use those skills of yours for good, not evil. You may want to check it out. In any other industry or just want a few quick tips? Have a look at our three key tips on how not to become a future Mad Man right here…
- Join one of the wonderful companies not driven solely by profit. Oxfam has jobs and so do many other great organisations. Check out www.ethicaljobs.com.au for a whole bunch of positions available right now.
- Don’t have the option of working for a non-profit? Don’t stress, it’s not something everyone can do. Instead, see your current workplace situation as a chance to change things and educate others who might otherwise miss messages on how to make things better in this here world. Do what you can do and start small. Colleagues don’t understand the recycling system? Change that. Everyone doesn’t know how many trees can be saved by printed double sided? Make sure they do know.
- Use your skills for good in your own time. Volunteer for 3things or Oxfam! Whatever you can do, we will make use of you!
Image Credit: Wall Street New York by Matthew Knott
