If you have ever watched the popular AMC television series Mad Men, you know that the advertising industry has a rich and fascinating history. Advertising is virtually unavoidable in today’s world, so there is no doubt that you have seen at least a few ads already today. Here are some interesting facts you may not have known about the ever-growing industry we love to hate.
Fun Facts About the World of Advertising
- When advertising agencies show beverages in ads, the ice cubes are usually made of acrylic to prevent them from melting under the hot lights. The bubbles are created by adding detergent to the beverage.
- An advertising agency created the famous character of the Marlboro Man in 1955. Three of the men who appeared in the original ads eventually died of lung cancer, which is why the brand is sometimes referred to as the ?Cowboy Killer.?
- Over $500 billion a year is spent on advertising worldwide.
- Researchers say that by the time a person turns 65, he will have seen approximately 2 million television commercials.
- The billboard was invented in the year 1900, allowing advertising firms more space to feature their ads.
- When an advertising agency features a watch, they generally set the piece to 10:10 because the hands frame the brand name and make a smiling face.
- American fast food companies spent about $1.6 billion in advertising in the year 2006.
- The very first paid advertisement in the United States was a 1704 ad for an estate in Oyster Bay, Long Island. It was featured in the Boston News Letter.
- An ad agency will appeal to several common psychological themes in order to motivate people to purchase their products. These include self-preservation, sex, self-esteem, authority, and fear.
- Life was the first magazine to earn $100 million per year in advertisements.
- Radio surpassed magazines in advertisement profits in 1938.
- The invention of the printing press in 1440 paved the way for modern advertising.
What are some of you favorite and least favorite advertisements? Feel free to post in the comments section below.