Changing American Attitudes: the Pull of Advertising

By Caroline Preston

McGruff the Crime Dog, Rosie the Riveter, and Smokey Bear have become American icons.

They also show how creative advertising can help charities communicate their message and change people's behavior, according to the organizers of "Ads Matter: Celebrating Advertising & Social Impact," an exhibit of public-service campaigns on display through the end of the month at the New York Public Library.

"Advertising has that power to wake Americans up to an issue they weren't