Various television commercials for cars, shaving products, food and everything else that made this decade great! What are your favorite commercials from this period?

If you lived in the 1950s, '60s, '70s or even the '80s, you probably spent some of your time watching television during the Christmas season (when it wasn't more inclusively referred to as 'the holidays', like today.) Apart from the Christmas or holiday-themed episodes of your favorite TV series, you might have sat through a music-filled extravaganza special, featuring some of the musical superstars of the day. And chances are, you might have witnessed some of the choicest, cheesiest and unabashedly Christmas-centered specials.

Here is a rundown of some that may have peaked your interest back in the day. The holiday season also brought some unique TV advertisements worth noting. So grab yourself a cup of eggnog, spiked or otherwise, and let the cheesiness begin!

Continue reading »

If you always wanted to work in the advertising business in New York circa 1962, here's your chance! AMC are advertising a contest for a walk-on role for season 4 of the series which basically means that you have a chance to get a small speaking part in a future episode. To enter the competition pick up your casting call entry code at a Banana Republic store from July 21st through August 11th and then submit a photo of your self, Mad Men style. For more information about the contest, visit the Mad Men website. [Thanks Cam]

I always found the Motorola TV ads from Taschen's book All-American Ads of the 60s very unique. They feel so retro but still very futuristic at the same time and I love the way they portray the future in such a optimistic and bright way that was only possible in the mid 20th century. The illustrations were drawn by Charles Schridde and the advertisements were often seen in Life Magazine and The Saturday Evening Post among other places in the early 1960s. Sadly the first edition of the Taschen book is out of print and no longer available through their website. But you can surely get it through Amazon and other online shops. [Via] [Thanks Fhardyfan]

Images via Paleo-Future

Season 3 of the Emmy Award-winning series Mad Men featuring the adventures of Don Draper and his team of creative people at New York based ad agency Sterling Cooper will premiere on Sunday, August 16 at 10pm on AMC. For those of you who want to catch up with the previous season, AMC is hosting a Season 2 marathon on Monday, August 10, from 7am to 8pm. Also, don't miss out on getting the Season 2 box that was released on July 14 on DVD and Blu Ray from the AMC shop. And to get you all in the Mad Men mood, check out the hot new promo video for Season 3 below.

Since my previous post about the TV show Mad Men from AMC back in November I have now watched the entire first season (13 episodes) and thought I would share some thoughts about the show. Mad Men is a drama about a prestigious ad agency in the beginning of the 1960s at midtown Manhattan New York, revolving around the life of creative director Donald Draper. Working with advertising in the 50s and 60s was one of the most glamorous jobs you could have along airline pilot and stewardess. And if you were working in Manhattan, you were pretty much the king of the mountain.

Continue reading »

Mad Men is a drama series from AMC about a swank ad agency in Manhattan, New York. It takes place in the early 1960s, when working with advertising was probably the most glamorous work you could have at that period as portrayed in many movies from that decade. For instance Lover Come Back starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day.

Continue reading »