This critical introductory text explores the role of advertising in contemporary culture and its connections to larger economic, social and political forces. From an investigation of advertising's crucial function in media economics and our wider capitalist system to a consideration of the people who both make and watch advertising, this insightful text enables students to make sense of advertising's powerful influence as both an economic force and an artistic form; assess the various claims of these two perspectives on advertising; and understand how they challenge and complicate one another. Written in an engaging and accessible style and incorporating a wide range of examples from around the world, the chapters introduce the key concepts, methods and debates needed to analyse and understand advertising.

Nick Holm is Lecturer of Media Studies at Massey University, New Zealand.