Advertising plays a major role in our lives. Look around you. There is always some type of advertising taking place. And just as there is to everything in life, there are advantages and disadvantages.
We as consumers benefit greatly from advertising. It keeps us informed about the latest products and services, therefore enabling us to buy intelligently.
Advertising has a positive impact on our economy, by providing funding for the media and stimulating competition among goods and services providers, the consumer goods result in better quality and lower prices.
Advertising can also be used to increase awareness in society about particular issues, and in doing so; it becomes a form of education. The cancer council suggesting the slip slop slap message and drink-driving campaigns are just two examples of how society uses the advertising industry as a means to promote public welfare.
Despite all the advantages of advertising, there is always a negative side to the story.
An 1890s advertisement showing model Hilda Clark i...
Advertising
101 016 (DB class 101) with UNICEF ads at Ingolsta...Some ads are even potentially harmful. Confusing or misleading sales pitches may lure unsuspecting buyers into financial trouble. It is always best to remember: "caveat emptor"let the buyer beware. Many commercials go far beyond the mere transmitting of information when they attempt to transform our values and attitudes. Cigarettes ads, for example, often imply that smoking is a manly or sexy habit. It is neither.
Because of these problems, many people have become extremely critical of commercials, especially those directed at children. Adults are often sceptical of what they read or hear in advertisements. Because children are not as mature or experienced as adults are, they cannot judge how reasonable or accurate ads are. If the man on TV says chocolate-covered, sugarcoated ICMs are healthy and nutritious; children may very well believe it. Many parents feel sellers take unfair advantage of children's inability...