There is a feeling among some that advertising is blatant, uneconomic and antisocial. It makes people buy more than they need it, encourages consumption of liquor and cigarettes; it is the cause of violence, murder, etc.
The money that is spent on advertising is considered a waste.
This amount, it is felt, can be used effectively in other ways. Models are paid lakhs and crores of rupees (Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, etc.) Ads on products that do not sell are also wanted. However, in all areas of work, failure and superfluous expenditure is there in almost all activities.
Whether advertising is a social waste is difficult to interpret. Allegations of social waste are based on statements as:
• Ads make false statements which confuse & mislead
• Ads force customers to want goods & services that are not needed
• Ads promote products which are harmful
• Ads are forced on consumers (TV ads)
With reference to the statement that ads mislead and make false statement it may be said most statements are true to a large extent. Yes, ads exaggerate but again consumers are not fools. Products are not brought only for its product attributes; it is bought for prestige (car), hope of a beautiful appearance, people want to look better, eat better, live better, drive better cars & improve their standard of living. Products may satisfy entirely or partially the wants of society. Persuasion is used not only in advertising but also in sermons for preachers, lecturer and even directives from government.
The second criticism is that ads make people buy what they cannot afford. Ads cannot move people in the direction which are contrary to social trends. Products are produced after market research to find out what people want, what is the demand. When people decide against the use of product no amount of advertising can make them buy the product. IF advertising can make consumers buy products there will be no product failure.
The money that is spent on advertising is considered a waste.
This amount, it is felt, can be used effectively in other ways. Models are paid lakhs and crores of rupees (Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, etc.) Ads on products that do not sell are also wanted. However, in all areas of work, failure and superfluous expenditure is there in almost all activities.
Whether advertising is a social waste is difficult to interpret. Allegations of social waste are based on statements as:
• Ads make false statements which confuse & mislead
• Ads force customers to want goods & services that are not needed
• Ads promote products which are harmful
• Ads are forced on consumers (TV ads)
With reference to the statement that ads mislead and make false statement it may be said most statements are true to a large extent. Yes, ads exaggerate but again consumers are not fools. Products are not brought only for its product attributes; it is bought for prestige (car), hope of a beautiful appearance, people want to look better, eat better, live better, drive better cars & improve their standard of living. Products may satisfy entirely or partially the wants of society. Persuasion is used not only in advertising but also in sermons for preachers, lecturer and even directives from government.
The second criticism is that ads make people buy what they cannot afford. Ads cannot move people in the direction which are contrary to social trends. Products are produced after market research to find out what people want, what is the demand. When people decide against the use of product no amount of advertising can make them buy the product. IF advertising can make consumers buy products there will be no product failure.
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