Corporate Communication in AMC’s Mad Men

Going back to defining Corporate Communication, a corporate narrative is essential to any company. No series understands this idea better than the AMC series, Mad Men. The show has gained great success winning numerous Emmys for its depiction of advertising in the 1960s. An episode we thought that showed the best example of creating a corporate narrative was, “The Wheel.” In this episode, the main character, Don Draper is pitching an advertising idea for Kodak’s slide projector product.  In pitching this idea he makes the point of nostalgia being sensitive but potent. In doing so, nostalgia becomes the key part of the product’s narrative. Nostalgia appeals to consumers’ emotions while also enticing them to buy the product. Draper furthers the product’s narrative by changing the name from “The Wheel” to “The Carousel” because a Carousel, like nostalgia, takes you back in time. By creating this narrative, Draper has taken a piece of rather unexciting technology and transformed it into a sentimental family necessity.

To check out this episode click here.

-Gracie, Meghan, Wade and Emily