If you’re in marketing or advertising – or just love great television/fashion – you probably love AMC’s “Mad Men.” The show harks back to the 60s, often called the Golden Age of Advertising. And beyond the fabulously handsome Don Draper, the scandalous affairs and super chic clothing, Mad Men offers some lessons still applicable to the industry today.

Don’t take clients for granted – As Don Draper once wisely said, “The day you book a client is the day you start losing them.” Just because you’re riding high with clients by the boatload doesn’t mean you’ll have them tomorrow. Anybody in marketing knows that things change in the blink of the eye. At The Meyocks Group, where I currently intern, they work hard to constantly provide new and brave ideas that our clients can’t find anywhere else.

Be open to new ideas – In the 60s, TV was today’s social media. And although hesitant at first, the powers that be at Sterling Cooper (the advertising agency portrayed in Mad Men) eventually create a TV department as TV advertising grew rapidly in importance. And the agency would’ve never realized the tremendous talent of copywriter Peggy – since she was a silly woman and all – if Don hadn’t taken a chance on her.

Looks are everything – Ok, they’re not EVERYTHING, but they are important. Do you think Joan would have ever earned the respect of all the men in the agency if she didn’t wear stunning clothes that fit her just so? And once Peggy started dressing well, her confidence and career standing jumped up a few notches. Looking professional and well-dressed is vital in the PR and marketing world. A great appearance makes a fantastic first impression and exudes confidence and professionalism. And both of those characteristic are absolutely vital in this industry.

Mix work and pleasure with caution – While I love making new friends at work, knocking back a few beers and sometimes engaging in a little office gossip, the inter-office affairs that make Mad Men such great TV, don’t make for such a great work place today. Keep the boozing to a minimum when with co-workers and understand the boundaries of appropriate work behavior in your work place – every agency is different.