Feminists, Feminisms, and Advertising

Golombisky and Kreshel provide an original and much-needed feminist exploration of the multiple ways women have engaged advertising, both as workers within the industry and as targeted consumers. The authors in this anthology tackle the historical and contemporary workplace culture in advertising’s creative departments, as well as how women audiences make sense of advertising’s messages—both areas that have long needed the kind of comprehensive and theoretically-informed approach this book provides. In doing so, they address a broad range of issues affecting women and the advertising industry, including ethics, intersectionality, commodity feminism, women of color as audiences, the sexism within the gendered silos that are the creative departments, and feminist education for advertising students. The book is a must-read for advertising students, instructors, and professionals—anyone in or thinking of entering the advertising industry—as well as anyone trying to make sense of the industry’s messages for or about women. -- Marian Meyers, Georgia State University
This is a timely piece that makes novel theoretical connections at the intersection of advertising, gender, identity, and feminisms. What I really like about this book are the ways in which authors also offer specific practical recommendations for how to do better advertising. Taken together, the authors create a space for scholars and practitioners alike to play around with the gendered tensions that surface in the work of advertising and realize that the ‘click’ moment is now. -- Suzy D'Enbeau, Kent State University