Advertising is an audio or visual form of marketing communication that uses publicly sponsored, non-private messages to promote or sell a product, service, or idea. Advertising sponsors are usually businesses that want to promote their products or services.
Advertising is distinguished from public relations where the advertiser usually pays and controls the message. It differs from personal selling because the message is personal, not addressed to a specific individual.
Advertising is spread through a variety of mediums, including older media such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, outdoor advertising, or live mail; or new media such as search results, blogs, websites or text messages. The actual presentation of a message through a medium is called advertising or "advertisement".
