Advertising is something we have all come to accept as part of our lives. From huge billboards, some in neon, to business cards pushed through the letterbox, we are bombarded with messages and offers encouraging us to buy something. It has certainly come a long way from the market trader shouting out their wares and competing to be the loudest.

Paying for the Programmes

Many media outlets rely on advertising revenue to survive. Commercial channels such as ITV show adverts between programmes to pay for more programmes. Sometimes the programmes and films themselves feature products, known as product placement, such as a character drinking from a can with the label clearly visible.

Advertising Online

The internet has given advertisers much more scope to reach us, on sites such as YouTube and Facebook, to name just two. Newspapers and magazines still carry plenty of adverts too, although competition for advertising spend is tougher than ever.

Advertising Is Not PR

One thing you should not confuse with advertising is what a PR Cheltenham based company does. Advertising is paid-for space, while public relations is about managing reputation and earning coverage, and the two are very different despite what many people think.

Related: Six types of display ads