Ads, Fads, and Consumer Culture: Advertising's Impact on American Character and Society

by Arthur Asa Berger

Expanded and updated from the successful first edition, Ads, Fads, and Consumer Culture, second edition is an engaging cultural studies critique of advertising and its impacts on American society. Arthur Asa Berger looks at marketing strategies, sex and advertising, consumer culture, political advertising, and communication theory and process to give an accessible overview of advertising in America. The new edition features additions to flesh out earlier topics as well as new theoretical material. New discussions include classified advertising, advertising agencies in the recent economy, postmodern perspectives on advertising, new consumer cultures, metaphor and metonymy, product placement, and the 2002 California campaign for governor. A new chapter raises questions about prescription drug advertising and advertising to children.

216 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[zoom-zoom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our cultural society is so saturated with consumerism that we are living our lives through the American dollar.

[Dirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introductory book, particularly useful for teaching in marketing and marketing communications.

[Michael Indiano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda dull, but certainly informative