Classification of Advertising

Classification of Advertising

• Classification on The Basis of Area Coverage
• Classification on The Basis of Audience
• Classification on The Basis of Media
• Classification on The Basis of Function

Classification on The Basis of Area Coverage

On this basis advertising may be classified into the following four categories:

Local Advertising

It is also known as “retail advertising”. It is undertaken by local retail stores, departmental stores, co-operative stores, selling cloth, saris and other consumer goods and consumer durables. It is directed at local customers. Media, used for local advertising, are shop decorations, local newspapers, magazines, posters, pamphlets, hoarding, new signs, local cinema houses, etc.

Regional Advertising

It has wider coverage, as compared to local advertising. It covers a particular region, which may be one state, or, more than one state, the people of which may be having a common tongue, or, using one common product. It is undertaken by manufacture or, regional distributor of a product. Media, used for regional advertising, include regional newspapers, magazines, radio, regional TV, outdoor media, etc. It is considered to be an ideal form of advertising for launching and marketing a new product in a specific region.

National Advertising

It is generally undertaken by manufactures of branded goods, for which, advertising messages is communicated to consumers allover the country. Almost all possible mass media, including national newspapers, radio and television network, are employed for national advertising. Product services and ideas, which have demand all over the country, are suitable for national advertising. In India, Indian Airline HindustanLever Ltd., Vicco, Godrej, Bajaj and Kirloskar are a few leading advertisers at national level. Likewise, detergents, soaps ,toothpastes, cosmetics, scooters, cars, and bicycles are some ofthe products, which are advertised all over the country.

International Advertising

This type of advertising is undertaken by those companies, which operate in more than one country, known as “multi-national” companies. Exporters, generally advertise their products and services in foreign countries, where ready markets are available. Air India and other airlines, and multi-national companies advertise their products and services all over the world. Coca-Cola and Pepsi are advertised globally, as the sales are almost all over the world. International advertising is extremely expensive, involving the services of professional advertising agencies in different countries.

Classification on The Basis of Audience

On this basis, advertising may be classified into the following four categories:

Consumer Advertising

This type of advertising is directed to the ultimate consumers of the consumer products, i.e., the individuals, who buy, or, use the consumer products, or services, say, for example, toilet soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, tea, textiles,etc., for themselves and for their families. All types of consumer products need continuous and extensive advertising on T.V., radio,and press.

Industrial Advertising

This type of advertising is used by manufacturers and distributors of industrial goods. Such as, machinery, plants, equipments, spare parts and components, and are directed at industrial users or customers. Such advertisements usually appear in trade journals, trade dictionaries, business magazines and so on. The appeal made is tactual and rational.

Trade Advertising

This kind of advertising is employed by manufactures and/or distributors to influence and persuade wholesalers and dealers (retailers) to stock and sell the goods ofthe advertiser by offering incentive schemes to them, or, by inviting dealerships for their particular products(s).

Professional Advertising

It is directed at professional like doctors, professors, engineers and others, who are expected to recommend, prescribe, or, specify the advertised products to ultimate consumers. This is done through professional journals and representative of the advertisers.

Classification on The Basis of Media

On the basis, advertising may be classified into the following four categories:

Print Media Advertising

The print media consists of newspapers, magazines, journals, handbills, etc. No newspaper or,journal, today, can survive without advertising revenue. Print media advertising, even today, is the most popular form; and revenue derived by mass media from advertising has, therefore, been progressively increasing year after year. Print media appeals only to the sense of sight, i.e. eyes.

Electronic or Broadcast Media Advertising

Electronic, or, broadcast media consists of (i) radio, (ii) television, (iii) motion pictures, (iv) video, and (v) the internet. The radio is audio innature, appealing only to the sense of sound (ears). Radio advertising is more effective in rural areas, as compared to urban regions. Television, as an advertising medium, is more attractive and effective because it is an audio-visual medium appealing toboth the senses of sight sound (eyes and ears).

Different methods, such as, spot announcements, sponsored programmes, etc., are used for broadcasting advertising messages. However, broadcasting media are very expensive form of advertising. Advertising is also undertaken through movies, video, and the internet.

Outdoor Media

This include posters, neon signs, transit, point of purchase(POP), etc. Outdoor advertising can be a good supporting media toother forms of advertising. It is a good form of reminder advertising,especially, the POP advertising.

Other Media

This includes direct mail, handbills, calendars, diaries, cinema advertising, internet and so on. These miscellaneous media can play an important supporting role to the major media such as television, and newspapers.

Classification on The Basis of Function

Direct Action and Indirect Action Advertising

Direct action advertising is undertaken to obtain immediate response or action on the part of target audience. Examples include discount sales advertising, sale along with free gift offers, and mail-order coupons, etc. The media used is mostly newspapers, and television.Indirect action advertising is undertaken to influence the audience in respect of advertiser’s brand. The advertiser expects the target audience to prefer his brand as compared to competitors when ever a buying decision arises in future.

Primary and Selective Advertising

Primary Advertising is undertaken by trade association or by cooperative groups. It is undertaken to create generic den1 and for products and services. For example, the Coffee Board may advertise to consume more coffee. Selective Advertising is undertaken by marketers of branded products. The advertiser intends to create selective demand for his brand. Examples include Pepsi Cola, Coca Cola.

Product and Institutional Advertising

Product or Service advertising is undertaken to promote the sale of products ands ervices-branded or unbranded. Institutional advertising is undertaken to build name and goodwill of the organisation. It is also, know as corporate advertising or image advertising. It is mostly undertaken by large firms.

Classification on The Basis of Advertising Stages

On this basis, advertising may be classified into the following three different categories:

Advertising at Pioneering Stage

Advertising at “pioneering stage” is undertaken to make the audience fully aware of the new brand of product and to inform, influence, and persuade them to buy, or, use it by highlighting its unique features.

Advertising at Competitive Stages

Once the brand survives the introductory stage, it has, soon to face a stiff competition with other well established brands in the market. At this stage,competitive advertising is undertaken to promote sales effectively.

Advertising at Retentive Stage or Reminder Advertising

When the product has captured a large share of the market “retentive advertising” is undertaken to maintain, or retain the stable position in the market as long as possible. Moreover, if the same product is passing through the declining stage in the market, this type of advertising is used to remind the buyers about the product hence, it is also known as “reminder advertising”.