Good things About Advertising

Some advertisements are beneficial for their artistic value.

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Although people often focus on the negatives when they discuss the effects of advertising, it is important to note that advertising does have its positive side. In fact, some of our society's most important messages have come through advertising, like "Friends don't let friends drive drunk." In addition to promoting important social messages, advertisements can also spark the economy by fostering competition and innovation.

Public Service Advertisements

Public service advertisements are often the first things considered when people discuss the positives of advertisements. These advertisements market a social concept of importance to the general public. Many public service announcements run messages about health, safety and national security. In the United States, the Ad Council, a nonprofit organization, sponsors many public service announcements. Their famous lines include "Loose lips sink ships, " a 1942 advertisement run to promote national security during World War II. However, other nonprofit organizations, the government, faith-based organizations and private companies also run public service marketing campaigns. For example, the U.S. government has run a number of advertisements about the importance of disaster preparedness.

Social Benefits

In addition to public service advertisements, traditional advertisements that market a product or service can offer social benefits. In fact, according to Megan VandeKerckhove, a student at the University of Florida's Interactive Media Lab, advertising is free speech, and it can work to promote free speech. According to VandeKerchkhove, this is especially true in countries where free speech has been suppressed. Advertising there, especially when it comes from the Western world where free speech is embraced, can encourage the idea that free speech is important. Furthermore, freedom of choice and advertising-supported entertainment, which is often a promoter of social change, are two important components of society that are both promoted through advertising.