January 31, 2009
MADMEN: Mr. Donald Draper
Allow me to introduce Don Draper, the most valued creative director at the advertising agency Sterling & Cooper.
Handsome, charming (especially with women), and talented, Don struggles to stay one step ahead of the new generation of young executives.
Today is not Don's best day. Lucky Strike, his main account, asked him a month ago to design a new advertising campaign, given that the government no longer allows them to advertise that smoking their cigarette is healthy.
Though, as he himself says, "fear stimulates imagination."
- Excuse me, young man, what kind of tobacco do you smoke?
- Old Gold
- May I ask why you smoke Old Gold?
- They gave them to us for free at the front, a carton a week.
- I see, it's because you're used to it. Will I never be able to convince you to try another brand like my Luckies?...
- I don't think so, I love my Old Golds.
- Well, let's say tomorrow the tobacco beetle comes and devours every last Old Gold on the planet. Would you stop smoking?
He doesn't know how, but Don needs to find a new twist for tobacco advertising. Something that differentiates Lucky Strike from the rest...
- It's time to go to Sterling & Cooper, I'll see what I can improvise...
Don is in trouble; it's the day of the meeting and he still hasn't come up with anything, his job is on the line.
Though, as he himself says, "fear stimulates imagination."
- Excuse me, young man, what kind of tobacco do you smoke?
- Old Gold
- May I ask why you smoke Old Gold?
- They gave them to us for free at the front, a carton a week.
- I see, it's because you're used to it. Will I never be able to convince you to try another brand like my Luckies?...
- I don't think so, I love my Old Golds.
- Well, let's say tomorrow the tobacco beetle comes and devours every last Old Gold on the planet. Would you stop smoking?
- I think I'd find a way. I love smoking. My wife hates it, according to "Reader's Digest" it kills.
- Yes, that's what they say.
- Hahaha, I don't listen to her, you know, women love their magazines.
- Yes, that's what they say.
- Hahaha, I don't listen to her, you know, women love their magazines.
- I certainly do.
He doesn't know how, but Don needs to find a new twist for tobacco advertising. Something that differentiates Lucky Strike from the rest...
- It's time to go to Sterling & Cooper, I'll see what I can improvise...
I won't ruin the first episode of the series by telling you what solution Draper finds, but I highly recommend not missing one of the series with the best art direction in recent years. Sometimes I get lost in the dialogue because I'm focused on the details of the clothes, the furniture, the accessories, the setting... a masterpiece.
Would you like to know who else works at Sterling & Cooper? Coming soon...
P.S.: thousands of thanks to the guys at "HD" for being so kind
Would you like to know who else works at Sterling & Cooper? Coming soon...
P.S.: thousands of thanks to the guys at "HD" for being so kind