The best marketing films and series include works such as Mad Men, The Founder, or How To Make it in America.
At domestic conferences, during personal or professional conversations, the question often arises:
“What book is worth reading if someone wants to learn more about marketing?”
At such times, everyone pulls out their favorite online marketing books or just self-development books, from which they learned the most. Or, which had the greatest impact on them. But for example, the question of which marketing podcasts are worth listening to or which marketing series are useful to watch is discussed less. Therefore, in this article, we reviewed those marketing films and series from which one can learn a lot.
Mad Men
Mad Men deserves to be at the top of the list. The series takes us back to the 1960s when modern marketing was born. On one hand, it’s a history lesson, on the other hand, a philosophical debate on marketing, and thirdly, a kind of advertising school. The main character is Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm. He allows us to feel the political pressures and ethical questions that strongly influenced American pop culture and advertising. Additionally, we gain insight into the development of the profession and the operation of a large agency.
What can you learn from it as a marketer?
You can get to know the beginnings of the industry and the operation of a large agency starting from the 1960s.
How to Make it In America
A less known and popular series at home, created by the producers of Entourage. It’s no coincidence that the series originally started as Entourage New York, where the lives of Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg) and his friend, Cam Calderon (Victor Rasuk) are at the center, while they struggle to launch a fashion brand in the bustling street fashion scene of New York City.
What can you learn from it as a marketer?
How they start acquiring business and building a brand in one of the world’s most competitive markets with practically no money.
Advertising Genius Lee Tae-baek
Another surprise on the list. The series is a South Korean drama where we follow the life of Lee Tae-baek, whose goal is to climb the ranks of the advertising profession. The show is based on the life of Jeseok Yi (also known as Jeski), an advertising planner and social activist, author of the book Ad Genius Lee Je-seok.
For viewers accustomed to traditional “Hollywood” series, the South Korean “series style” may seem strange at first, but this is precisely what makes it a special element on this list.
What can you learn from it as a marketer?
How the same marketing and agency processes work, but in a completely different culture that is far from ours.
Shark Tank
Not a classic marketing series, but much more of a business reality show. The format may be familiar from the series Cápák Között, as the domestic production was based on Shark Tank.
Shark Tank is a business reality show where entrepreneurs seeking investment present their business ideas to a panel of five investors, or „sharks,” who then decide whether to invest in their company as business partners.
In the American version, investors include entrepreneurs like Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O’Leary, Daymond John, and Lori Greiner. The show has also featured Richard Branson, Ashton Kutcher, and Chris Sacca.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb1AaUhM2PE
What can you learn from it as a marketer?
You can learn how to present a business idea well and how to present it poorly. Additionally, it reveals what aspects an investor examines and weighs in the case of a new company, project, or startup before investing.
FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened
The Fyre Festival was promoted as a luxury music experience where tickets could be purchased for a massive and exclusive party on a private island. The project's marketing captivated tens of thousands of interested people. However, the festival itself spectacularly failed. This story is depicted in the Netflix film.
What can you learn from it as a marketer?
How to sell what doesn't exist. And if you can do this, then why not do it forever!
The Founder
“The Founder” tells the story of Ray Kroc, a 52-year-old milkshake machine salesman who discovers McDonald's, a small yet extremely efficient hamburger business, and transforms it into the world's largest fast-food empire. But despite Kroc's chatter and determination making McDonald's the world's largest restaurant chain, his moral compass and methods are still contemptible. Throughout the film, we learn that behind McDonald's growth lie numerous controversial business moves.
What can you learn from it as a marketer?
The film raises many questions, but primarily focuses on where to draw the line between morally “good” or even “just acceptable” when it comes to realizing your dreams.
