What did Ben Franklin know about selling America? And how did a Cold War-era jazz show and an army of librarians boost America's image abroad? And what's happened since? Gregory Warner charts the great (and not-so-great) moments in the history of Advertising Democracy

“Bottle This!”
Produced for: P.O.V.'s Borders: Environment

What's so special about bottled water? And why have Americans deserted the tap? Gregory Warner investigates the rise of the $7 billion bottled water industry, and a study that suggests bottled water doesn't exactly live up to its image.

Then he commissions Brooklyn artist Nancy Drew ("The Andy Warhol of the Water Bottle Label") to design labels for his campaign "I NYC Tap Water." He hits the streets to ask New Yorkers to refill their water bottles with tap water. Will he succeed? Or will fear of the faucet prevail? And how far will people go for a free sticker?

This story and “Invisible Creek” (below) were screened in a 12-city tour with the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival (nyrcl.org)

“The Invisible Creek”
Produced for:
P.O.V.'s Borders: Environment

Travel down the most polluted waterway in America, Newtown Creek, located on the border between Brooklyn and Queens in New York City, a small 3 ½ mile creek with 12 toxic waste sites along its shores, Newtown Creek's been largely forgotten. But a small group of local kids are trying to save it: through boat building.