Any communication designed to raise awareness and produce a desired effect. An advertisement may occur through any medium, be that print, broadcast, imagery, or even word of mouth. Many advertisements are basic; for example, there may be a radio announcement to "buy X." Others are more complex, encouraging purchase by stating a product has a better price and/or better quality. Many advertisements are intended to entertain. They are an integral part of marketing. Informally, an advertisement is called an advert or an ad.

a written or visual presentation in the MEDIA of a BRAND of good or service supplied by a firm or some other organization, which is aimed at encouraging either prospective buyers to purchase the product, or greater usage of a facility, or to provide information. See ADVERTISING, ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN, ADVERTISING COPY, ADVERTISING EFFECTIVENESS TEST, REINFORCEMENT ADVERTISING, ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY, CONTROL OF MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS REGULATION 1988.

a written or visual presentation in the MEDIA of a BRAND of a good or service that is used both to ‘inform’ prospective buyers of the product's attributes and to ‘persuade’ them to purchase it in preference to competing brands. Advertisements are usually featured as part of an ‘advertising campaign’ involving a series of presentations of the brand in the media over a run of weeks, months or even years that is designed to reinforce the ‘image’ of the brand, thereby expanding sales of the product and establishing BRAND LOYALTY. See ADVERTISING.