Advertising

 

Advertising

Advertising is a message designed to promote a product, service, or idea.

In towns and cities, one can find many kinds of advertising. Businesses place ads in front of their buildings. Poster advertisements appear on buses and billboards.

Printed advertisements make up a large part of newspapers and magazines. Commercials are advertisements featured on TV and radio.

Increasingly, advertisers utilize the internet.

 
Main Purpose

The purpose of most advertising is to sell products or services. Manufacturers advertise to try to persuade people to buy their products.

Large corporations also use advertising to create a positive “image” of their company. They want their brand name to be known and admired for the products they makes or the services they provides.

Local businesses use advertising to attract new customers and retain current ones.

Advertising is the cheapest and fastest way to inform the consumers about products or services on offer and to persuade them to buy. In many businesses, the amount of their sales depends largely on the quality and quantity of their advertising.

 
Non-Commercial Uses

Advertising is also used by individuals, political parties and candidates, social organizations, special-interest groups, and governments.

Many people advertise in newspapers to sell their used cars, homes, or other property.
Political parties and candidates use advertising to try to win votes.

Special-interest groups and government bodies often advertise to promote a cause or to influence the way people think or act. For example public service ads may discourage people from smoking or drinking and driving.

 
Social Influence

In places where advertising is common, it strongly influence people’s lives. Advertising encourages people to eat certain foods, wear particular clothes, and use specific household products.

In doing so, advertising helps shape tastes, habits, attitudes . . . and ultimately the culture of a nation.
 

Government Regulations

Advertising is common in almost everywhere. However regulations on advertising vary in different parts of the world.

In many countries, the use of advertising is restricted. For example, some governments limit the amount of television advertising. In addition, they make greater use of advertising for social, political, and educational purposes.

Nevertheless most people feel that advertising is growing. It is adapting to changes in technology, businesses and society.

*     *     *     *     *     *

1. Different kinds of advertising include…………………………..

2. The main trend in advertising nowadays is online. True or false? Give examples.

3. Is advertising solely for the purpose of selling things (products and services)?

4. Do only commercial enterprises use advertisements? Have you or your friends placed ads somewhere? For what?

5. Does the government use advertisements extensively?

6. Give examples of how advertising has changed people’s culture in your city.

7. Are there restrictions in advertising in your country? If yes what are they?

8. How will advertising change in the future?

 

A. There are lots of ads everywhere where I live. Yes or no?

B. What is the attitude of you and your friends to all these ads?

C. There are more advertisements now than there was before. True or false?

D. How effective are ads in promoting business (in your city or country)?

E. Approximately what percent of advertising claims do you think are “true” or “real” and what percent are “false” or exagerations?

F. Are there “better” ways to promote products and services than through advertising?

G. Describe the sort of advertising your company or organization uses.

H. Describe a very effective ad that you have seen, read or heard.

I. If you had to create an ad or ad campaign for you business, how would you go about doing it?