Revolutionary Movements: Behind “Occupy Wall Street”

The Adbusters Media Foundation is a Canadian-based not-for-profit, anti-consumerist and pro-environment organization founded in 1989 by Kalle Lasn and Bill Schmalz in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The foundation describes itself as “a global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators and entrepreneurs who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age”. Adbusters began using humor and parody to highlight and combat corporate and consumerist groupthink, and over the past two decades has staged many events and campaigns.

Adbusters has launched international campaigns, including Buy Nothing Day, TV Turnoff Week and Occupy Wall Street, and is known for their “subvertisements” that spoof popular advertisements. Adbusters has bi-monthly American, Canadian, Australian, UK and International editions of each issue. Adbusters offers incisive philosophical articles as well as activist commentary from around the world addressing issues ranging from genetically modified foods to media concentration.

Not many know that it’s from the Adbusters office in Vancouver that the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ movement began. And the poster of the ballerina balancing on the iconic Wall Street Bull became the first rallying slogan of the movement. ‘Occupy Wall Street’ symbolizes a movement that has many names – anti-establishment, anti-consumerist,and anti-corruption. Lasn, who’s also an author and activist, is more known for his culture jamming thoughts and ideas. Culture jamming for Lasn began two decades back with spoof ads – inserting a social relevant message within well known brand communication – from obesity and fashion to environment.

Many credit the 69 year old Estonian who co-founded the not-for-profit anti-branding, social activist organization, to be the brain behind ‘Occupy Wall Street’, but he denies it completely. “I am not the leader, but Adbusters has been the creative spark behind the movement,” says Lasn.
Unlike other media organizations with less political conviction, Adbusters appears to be truly opposed to mainstream success, and has resisted the temptation to dilute its message in search of greater popularity.

Editor: Jessica Asenjo