It is the age of marketing. Ads have become an indispensable part of our modern life. From old ways of beating drums to making announcements, we have arrived at the most advanced stage where there is no end in creative modes and methods of communication through advertisement. We see a banner here, and a leaflet there; celebrities endorsing products appear over the streets of our cities. Television, radio, newspaper, mobile and all sorts of media provide us with a message regarding some promo, offers and discounts. We also see ads printed on cars and other vehicles now and then. When we are surfing the internet or checking our mail, we get promotional messages. Information is being disseminated very fast as everyone is reachable through media. Information about products and services is at our doorstep and even inside the room, and that is because of advertisements. We learn about companies, their offerings and uses through ads. There are various brands with a variety of products, and we have unlimited options at our disposal. So, it means that a company’s success is now dependent on advertising efforts.

Today we are the recipient of exceptionally innovative ads which are the representation of best work of human imagination. In the early days, word of mouth was a predominant mode of advertisement, and it still holds the most potent ground. Today so many ads reach us, and it is not easy to find the most meaningful products of companies which are relevant to us. Ads give us the power to choose what we want. They also entertain us. In my opinion, they are a necessary evil, many of us do not like them, but people need them. No urban society can imagine life without them.

We have seen many things from our shoes, and we must see things from other’s perspective to understand how beneficial ads are. The process of making the smallest ad to the biggest one requires a workforce with skills, money and machinery. So, even before an ad is made, jobs are created; capabilities are added in people to cater to demand, and creativity is attained as a result of the process. Ads are also used for job offers. They also encourage healthy competition in the market since best ads make their products and services sell while others lag.

From the music industry to the acting industry, from writers to dancers, everyone is involved in the process of ad making to make it lucrative. People are making their fortunes and bread and butter from advertising. However, every coin has two sides and ads to have a negative side to it. Some ads mislead, and we have to be careful and decide to choose wisely. It is a fact that we have been bombarded with so many ads for so long that we get irritated once in a while and wish they were gone. Sometimes, they come to places where they should not, in front of the audience which should not watch them. We witness this when we surf the internet, and a pop-up flash or misleading ad comes up. Many companies obtain our personal information without our notice and target us with their advertisements. This activity is highly unwarranted, and the initiation of it violates our privacy. They become a source of irritation and frustration when they become invasive. For instance, we are watching a movie or any program on TV. We see that commercial break that is inserted in between that program has unsolicited ads which make our experience less than enjoyable. Even in our electronic mails, we receive fake lottery notices. They make doubtful claims and take away our trust from the boons of ads. They also are infamous for manipulating our spending habits as we engage in consumerism. We have been victims of false decision making due to the overwhelming impression of ads.

Since many are invading our personal space and life, we need a watchdog to oversee and monitor the advertisement industry. Young minds have been corrupted, indulged into bad eating habits, desiring fashionable items and dreaming of leading an unattainable celebrity-like lifestyle. Status is attached to products, and so people aspire for them. Companies hire highly paid social psychologists to move among the people and feel their pulse. They advise their employers, in most cases, how to deceive the gullible customers just for selling the goods and services by hook or by crook. Hidden languages in the advertisement are common. Only the glitter is shown, and the dirt is hidden. Unwary viewer falls prey to it.

We must check, control them, put them under the ethical radar through authorities and take actions against violence. Only then will an atmosphere of good advertising will take place.