For New ‘Mad Men’ Season, Magazine ‘Retro-fies’ Ads

By Anthea Quay, 20 Mar 2012

To celebrate the launch of the fifth season of AMC’s hit TV series ‘Mad Men’, Newsweek has ‘retro-fied’ its ads in the upcoming special ‘Mad Men’ retro-modern issue.

For this week’s Mad Men cover story issue, the (online and print) edition contains vintage, swinging ‘60s-style cover design, layouts and ads.

Ads of brands, such as Mercedes-Benz, British Airways, United Colors of Benetton, Dunkin Donuts and Estée Lauder, were either re-appropriated to suit the issue or replaced by authentic period ads from the era.

Viewers can also vote for their favourite ads on the publication’s website.

The old school ‘Mad Men’ edition of the magazine, will be available on newsstands and iPads on Monday.

“We've literally taken a page from Newsweek’s past—recreating the sleek, iconic look of the magazine during the swinging ‘60s, but with all original content. Imagining what a Newsweek website would have looked like, without dropping a tab of acid, was no easy feat. But with a leap of faith (and a single martini), we created an online edition that Don Draper would have toasted. We hope you do too.” Newsweek wrote on its website.

What would Don Draper think of this Newsweek issue?

The fifth season of Mad Men debuts in six days’ time, this Sunday—are you ready?