/
1x
Advertisement

True North Strong Free. Subscribe today.

Truth in advertising

There’ll be no escapism as commercials and ad campaigns tap into recession anxiety
Add as preferred on Google(opens in a new tab)

The “Mad Men” are getting very angry indeed. In response to the sharp economic downturn, ad firms are now trying to tap into new, fearful zeitgeist, with messages crafted to appeal to aggrieved consumers. “Progress is overrated,” declares one cereal company. Jet Blue, the US airway, has a new series of commercials mocking corporate bigwigs who must now fly with the rest of the plebes. “Candor is in,” declares one ad exec.

The New York Times

Get the Best of Maclean’s straight to your inbox.

Sign up for news, commentary, analysis and promotions. Join 80,000+ Canadian readers.