Advertising‎:‎ Critical Approaches explores a broad range of critical theories and perspectives to shed new light on the organisation‎,‎ workings and effects of the advertising industry today‎.‎ Chris Wharton presents the social‎,‎ cultural and economic role of advertising across history‎,‎ with chapters tracking the process of advertising from production to reception‎.‎ Split into three sections covering Foundations‎,‎ Frameworks and Applications‎,‎ the book‎'‎s chapters explore a range of areas central to an insight into the development of modern advertising‎,‎ including‎:‎ * advertising history * cultural‎,‎ critical and political economy approaches to advertising * texts in advertising * the reception of advertising * advertising in the home and outdoor advertising * consumer culture‎.‎ Case studies explore the diversity in the uses of advertising throughout history‎,‎ from Ostia and the Square of the Corporations in the ancient Roman world to the UK Border Agency‎'‎s ‎'‎Go Home‎'‎ campaign and contemporary City branding throughout Europe‎.‎ Assessing the impact of the works of key critical thinkers including Marx‎,‎ Morris‎,‎ Lyotard‎,‎ Barthes‎,‎ Saussure‎,‎ Williams and Hall have had on our understanding of consumption and advertising‎'‎s societal impact‎,‎ Advertising‎:‎ Critical Approaches illuminates and enhances our understanding and engagement with one of the most vital cultural and economic forces in contemporary society‎.‎