Moral Responsibility in Advertising

"All of us who professionally use the mass media are shapers of society. We can vulgarize that society. We can brutalize it. Or, we can help lift it unto a higher level"
-Bill Bernbach

When I was little there were only two things I knew about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I knew I wanted to do something creative and I knew that I wanted to make a difference in the world. It wasn't until later that I found a good way to put those two together...advertising. So was definitely interested in our latest advertising lecture in which we discussed the responsibility of advertisers to better their society. I am in full agreement with that fact. Advertisers can shape the way our society views things, whether it's fashion trends, the coolest cars, or something like recycling. Advertisers have a power that few other people do. That is why it is so important to have atleast one person at each agency that understands their moral obligations. It is important that we stop the negative spiral that advertising has had on our young people. The stick thin models and material obsessed people are taking a toll on our society and it is up to advertising to stop it. Hopefully more and more advertising companies will realize that they are having a negative impact and then take steps do something about it.