The ultimate purpose of advertising has been long debated, with some claiming that it solely serves to drive consumerism. Although advertisements are employed to raise product awareness, they are primarily used to encourage consumerism.
Admittedly, advertising serves as an indispensible tool in raising product awareness. The contemporary global market offers an abundance of goods, which necessitates effective means of promotion to inform the public about the presence of a product and to demonstrate its superiority over other competitors. Without advertising, regardless of the quality, the true potential of a product is unlikely to be realized. For example, pharmaceutical companies rely heavily on the promotion of a medication, despite producing high-quality and credible formulas. To do so, they create campaigns, provide free samples, and address medical institutions to examine its effectiveness. This way these companies gain the trust of the public, holding a distinction of being a reliable and authentic source.
Nonetheless, advertising is regarded as a highly effective way of attracting customers and encouraging frequent visits. This is because they shape customer behavior and create psychological perceptions by associating a product with happiness, status, prestige, and confidence, while subconsciously encouraging overconsumption. Apple serves as a real-life example: the brand frequently creates hype and excitement around an upcoming product, shaping an insatiable desire in the public long before its release. While the features might not differ significantly compared to other competitors, the intention to possess one remains consistent. In fact, it is often equipped to show one’s social and financial status, which makes more and more people willing to have one simply to satisfy their egos and feel satisfied.
In conclusion, while advertising raises awareness about a product, its main purpose lies in encouraging consumerism among society. The further prevalence of this phenomenon would possibly precipitate overconsumption, leading to poor financial decisions.