Advertising Features

ADVERTISING – AN OVERVIEW Advertising is one of the largest generators of revenue in the world economy. Yet it remains enigmatic to a large section of people. It is akin to dream selling for some. For others it is a sheer waste of money. Whatever the perception, advertising in India as anywhere else continues to mesmerize millions of people, cutting across age, gender and social and economic disparities. Advertising is • Paid for • A way of promoting products, services or information • A form of communication (between manufacturer and consumer) • A physical commodity • An integral part of pop culture • An important economic force • A part of our urban landscape The analysis of advertising is an integral part of Media Studies. Advertising manifests itself in all known media forms, and is constantly seeking new media, new channels of communication. Through looking at advertising we can learn not only how the most simple narratives are constructed (a print ad is simpler than a magazine article, a TVC is simpler than a feature film, although they use the same narrative techniques), but how ideas can be communicated at great speed, through the use of single images and words.

WHAT IS ADVERTISING?

The word advertising originates from Latin word advertise, which means to turn to. The dictionary meaning of the term is “to give public notice or to give publicity”. Advertising may be defined as the process of buying sponsor-identified media space or time in order to promote a product or an idea. It is perhaps the most visible of all the elements in the promotion mix and is therefore subject to much criticism from consumer groups. It is also subjected to government regulation.

The American Marketing Association, Chicago, has defined advertising as “any paid form of non-personal presentation or promotion of ideas, goods or services, by an identified sponsor”.