TGIF for the New Meaning of "Brand"

In "The Persuaders," FRONTLINE explores how the cultures of marketing and advertising have come to influence not only what Americans buy, but also how they view themselves and the world around them. This 90-minute television documentary (viewable online starting November 12 at 5:00 pm) draws on a range of experts and observers of the advertising/marketing world, to examine how, in the words of one on-camera commentator, "the principal of democracy yields to the practice of demography," as highly customized messages are delivered to a smaller segment of the market.

The show's website also includes excerpts from extended interviews on "The New Meaning of Brand" with Kevin Roberts, CEO, Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide; Douglas Atkin, chief strategy officer for Merkley+Partners; Bob Garfield, columnist for Advertising Age; and Naomi Klein, author of No Logo.

Thank Goodness It's Friday,

--Bill