Abstract: A water soluble, vinyl addition polymer of acrylamide comprising a hydrophobic terminal group is useful as an adsorbate and as a flow modifier in aqueous systems. The polymer is particularly useful as a thickening agent or rheology modifier for water based multiphase systems, a block improvement additive in water based coatings formulations, a stabilizer for aqueous emulsions (including polymer emulsions), a transfer aid in water based ink or roll coater formulations, a surfactant and a dispersant. The disclosure also comprises a solution polymerization method of preparing the polymer.