The Commercialization of American Culture : New Advertising, Control and Democracy

The advertising industry is constantly seeking new consumer avenues, the most recent including niche marketing, database marketing, cross-promotion and place-based marketing. In this valuable resource, Matthew P McAllister critically assesses the role of advertising in society, examines the recent innovations in technique and discusses the social and commercial implications of these developments.

Divided into eight elaborate and well-defined chapters that leave out almost nothing that′s relevant, Mathew P. McAllister-who is associated with the Virginia Polytechnic Institute-takes a graphic look at the advertising and consumer scene in America. . . . A bible, quran, bhagwatgita rolled into one for all concerned about a habitable universe." --Suresh Kohli in The Hindustan Times "This critical analysis should toss around American thinking on the subject of advertising as much as Vance Packard′s The Hidden Persuaders (1957) did. Matthew P. McAllister has written a classic, showing advertising′s invasion of everything--classrooms, doctors′ offices, sports arenas, concert halls, museums. . . . Systematically researched, organized, and documented, this book should be required reading for advertising and media students and for the general public."