Probably the biggest promotion of welding in the general public are shows like biker buildoff, myth busters, build it bigger and any of those other shows that feature metal fab and invariably welding. I know Jesse James did some welding promotion and he had a branded line of welders with his emblems on them. I think some people get into welding cause they see those shows and want to make custom bikes or what ever and you won't get far unless you know how to weld.
Popular Mechanics recently had a list of 100 things every man should know. Welding was number 38 I believe, also had things like how to properly split wood, how to use basic tools, how to change a babies' diaper, how to do CPR etc etc. It was a fun read they had someone from the Hobart school demonstrate a proper stick weld.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/upgrade/4223337.html?page=1 there's the online version but it doesn't contain the stick welding part.
There's very little in the way of high profile welders. Movies never do welders any service. In every movie it's always a grungy shop and apparently they are carbon arc gouging because it's always a see of sparks with very little welding actually being done.