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Contribution to Book
The Ghosts of Mad Men: Race and Gender Inequality Inside American Advertising Agencies
The Routledge Companion to Advertising and Promotional Culture (2013)
  • Christopher Boulton, University of Tampa
Abstract
To view the video version of this argument, please visit https://works.bepress.com/chris_boulton/17/

This chapter juxtaposes interviews of advertising practitioners with scenes from the AMC drama Mad Men to suggest that the show, set in the 1960’s, helps explain how the twin specters of sexism and racism continue to haunt the industry today. While contemporary forms of discrimination may seem less explicit when compared to Mad Men, tacit rules still allow hiring on the basis "fit," familiarity, and even friendship. Thus, despite various efforts to increase racial diversity and promote women within advertising, a structural system of referral hires and socially segregated networks continue to advantage White men, especially in upper-management and creative.
Keywords
  • Diversity,
  • Race and Racism,
  • Advertising,
  • Gender and Race,
  • and White Privilege
Publication Date
Spring March 29, 2013
Editor
Matt McAllister and Emily West
Publisher
Routledge
Series
Routledge Companions
ISBN
978-0415888011
Citation Information
Christopher Boulton. "The Ghosts of Mad Men: Race and Gender Inequality Inside American Advertising Agencies" The Routledge Companion to Advertising and Promotional Culture (2013) p. 252 - 266
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/chris_boulton/19/
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC_BY-NC International License.