Advertising is riddled with myths and misunderstandings. It is simultaneously believed to be both immensely powerful and immensely wasteful, to increase economic prosperity, and to be morally questionable. Neither its historic origins nor its modern operations are well understood. Winston Fletcher, a leading authority on advertising, looks at the ways in which campaigns work (or fail to work), and the role of advertising in commerce, in the media, and in society. From the history and structure of the advertising industry to controversial areas such as advertising aimed at children, he highlights the benefits of advertising, and what the future may hold for the industry.

"Offers a powerful new approach to advertising and marketing in the digital age that uses stories as the foundation for designing emotional and transactional experiences for customers, both online and offline."--book jacket.

"One of the most successful admen of recent years throws down the ultimate challenge to his profession: innovate or perish. The ad apocalypse is upon us. Today millions are downloading ad-blocking software, and still more are paying subscription premiums to avoid ads. This $600 billion industry is now careening toward outright extinction, after having taken for granted a captive audience for too long, leading to lazy, overabundant, and frankly annoying ads. Make no mistake, Madison Avenue: Advertising as we know it is over. In this short, bound-to-be controversial manifesto, Essex offers both a wake-up call and a road map to the future. With trenchant wit and razor-sharp insights, he presents an essential new vision of where the smart businesses could be headed, to the cheers of advertisers and consumers alike"--