Advertising is prevalent in daily life, with various formats and channels evident everywhere.
Broadcast TV: 18 minutes of advertisements per hour, increased from 13 minutes in 1992.
Print Media: Advertising occupies half of a typical daily newspaper.
Outdoor Advertising: Billboards are found nearly everywhere, creating constant visibility.
Digital Advertising: Spam in email boxes, music rights bought by advertisers, and promotional merchandise.
On an average day, Americans are bombarded by numerous advertising messages.
Estimates suggest between 350 to 10,000 ads depending on the counting method used.
Advertising targets mass audiences primarily to sell products or services.
Cost-Effectiveness: It is the cheapest way for sellers to gain attention.
Message Control: Advertisers create and control their messages by purchasing space and time.
Advertising has existed for thousands of years.
Ancient Civilizations: Egyptians used stone billboards and papyrus ads; Greeks employed town criers supported by musicians for engaging advertisements.
Early Printed Ads: The first advertisements were handbills in the 15th century, typically found on church doors, giving rise to mass communication.
The industrial revolution increased the demand for advertising due to the introduction of mass-produced goods in the late 1800s.
Companies needed to distinguish similar products, leading to the birth of branding.
Volney Palmer established the first advertising agency in 1841, introducing lasting business models.
Agency Functions: Provided circulation data, copies of ads, and recommended commissions for services.
Famous slogans emerged, e.g., "A Diamond is Forever" by DeBeers.
Commercials gained popularity in the television landscape, with the number of advertisers growing rapidly since 1948.
The introduction of standard commercial lengths, from 60 seconds in the 1960s to 30 seconds in the 1970s, created new advertising dynamics.
The term "branding" correlates with burning a mark into a product, signifying the distinctiveness of brands.
Brands aim to be memorable and differentiate products from competitors.
Creating a brand's uniqueness involves developing catchy slogans and distinctive logos.
Brands leverage multiple media channels for frequent audience exposure.
Some successful advertising campaigns lead to brand names becoming synonymous with the product itself, such as Kleenex and Xerox.
Pros and Cons: While being recognized can indicate widespread success, it may lead consumers to opt for competitor products while using the established brand name.
Brands are usually trademarked to protect against infringement, which can confuse consumers and damage the original brand's reputation.
Brand Equity: Up to 70% of a company's value might be derived from its brand.
Advertising underpins much of the media consumed, often labeled as "free" because advertisers cover production costs.
Key Takeaway: If consumers do not pay for a product, they may themselves be the product.
Advertising employs various media channels based on target demographics:
Traditional Media: Print (newspapers, magazines), electronic (TV, radio), outdoor (billboards), direct mail, and telemarketing.
Digital Media: Includes email marketing, banner ads, and various formats for online ads.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Involves website design and keyword strategies for organic advertising.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM): Advertisers pay for sponsored links or top placements in search results.
Media organizations charge for advertising based on audience size, determined by ratings or CPM (Cost per Mille).
Performance-based advertising charges only for results, like click-throughs.
The advertising industry is substantial, with digital ads dominating global spending.
2022 Statistics: Digital ads accounted for about 62% of ad spending, while television accounted for 23%.
High return on investment (ROI) is common, averaging 4-6x.
Four main operational areas in advertising agencies:
Creative: Involves copywriters and art directors.
Client Management: Account executives communicate with clients.
Media Buying: Media planners and buyers purchase advertising space.
Research: Researchers analyze media data on consumer behavior.
Advertising faces both challenges and benefits from emerging technologies.
Consumer Tracking: Enhanced ability to track consumer behavior.
Ad Blockers: Tools that impede advertising monetization.
Consumer Resistance: Increased resistance to advertising; easier for consumers to skip online ads.
Demand for Metrics: Advertisers seek stronger metrics to evaluate ad effectiveness as competition increases.