I work in the industry and do see its intrinsic value to everything we do in our lives. Thus, some people might call me biased in my analysis of its worth. And they are right.
Even so, I still tell people that I often step back to appreciate when advertising falls short of its society building mission and enters the world of the Misleading, the Manipulative, even the Stereotypical.
The below ad from Camel is a blatant example of BAD advertising. At its essence...Misleading and Stereotyping.
First: How do they know most doctors smoke Camels? There are no statistics to back this up. Don't buy into it. To be sure, ask your own doctor to see what he smokes.
Second: Female doctors don't operate in red dresses anymore.
But as I said, not all advertising is bad. In fact, most of it is good.
This PSA from the Partnership for a Drug Free America is an example of advertising that is spot on.