Criticism of advertising is closely linked with criticism of media and often interchangeable.

To counter the increasing criticism of advertising aiming at children media literacy organizations are also initiated and funded by corporations and the advertising business themselves.

And in the annual Surgeon General's report Joycelyn Elders was withering in her criticism of advertising that plays upon teen-agers' need to be cool and targets kids to replenish the ranks of smokers killed off by cancer.

Peggy develops feelings for one of Joyce's beatnik friends, Abe Drexler (played by Charlie Hofheimer); their relationship is almost derailed because of his subtle sexism and criticisms of advertising, but eventually blooms into a romance.