If asked, I would say I am a selective TV watcher.  I have DVR (records TV shows for me) so I can watch shows when I want rather than when the networks determine the best time for them.  In any case, I had heard good things about the show called “Mad Men” which revolves around a Madison Avenue Advertising Agency back in the 1950’s and 60’s.  After one show I was hooked.  Why wouldn’t I be, I own and run a marketing company myself?  Which means I am always looking to see how the other half lives. (Even if it is in TV land)

So, the show is sexist, completely politically incorrect and makes my blood boil half the time.  I love it!  My mouth drops half the time and I think “how can they get away with this” but it is a great look into how supposedly business used to run.  Of course, since I was born decades after this show’s time period, I’ll never really know how agencies conducted themselves back then.  But, I tend to believe from shows like this and Bewitched, that alcohol and fooling around was involved quite a bit.  Makes you wonder how work actually got done!

Fast forward to today.  The new “ad agency” show is Trust Me.  It does seem to reflect more of the times we live in.  It is growing on me.  I find it interesting to watch the client meetings, ad pitches, and how they do the creative process.  Does it seem like a day in my life at work?  Well, not really but it does get get me to laugh and appreciate a bit more the people I work with.

So, what’s my point in writing about TV shows that revolve around the marketing profession today?  Basically to ask the question, are these types of shows helping or hurting our industry?  Do shows like this just make non-marketers think all we do is drink all day and play with toys in our offices?  Or, do people realize that these shows are just for entertainment value?