The Evolution of Advertising

This episode explores the evolution of advertising, starting from simple messages to sophisticated campaigns. It traces back to the early days when William Caxton introduced the first printed advertisement in the late 1400s. Advertising agencies emerged in the mid-1700s, and targeted marketing was pioneered by Sears in 1892. With the rise of technology, advertisements boomed in magazines, radio, television, and the internet. The internet revolutionized advertising, allowing marketers to reach consumers at lower costs. The global digital advertising market is expected to reach over $700 billion in 2024. The advertising industry has undergone a remarkable transformation and continues to grow. Welcome, my name is Quinn Payton, and in this episode, we will be delving into the evolution of advertising. The word advertising was derived from the Latin word advertere, meaning to turn one's attention. That's all advertising really is, right? When creating an ad, marketers have one goal in mind, to sell their product or service. And to allow them to do so, they need your attention. This episode will explore how advertising has transformed from its early days with simple messages to sophisticated campaigns targeted at specific audiences' engagement. William Caxton, an English writer from the mid to late 1400s, is credited with introducing the earliest printed advertisement when he went around England posting ads for his books on the doors of churches. Newspapers made their debut in the early 1600s, but it wasn't until over 100 years later that marketers began advertising with this new medium. By the mid-1700s, the first advertising agencies began to form, offering their expertise in the marketing environment. Sears was the first to pioneer targeted marketing, when in 1892, they mailed 8,000 postcards to the poor suburbs around the U.S., yielding 2,000 purchases. As technology boomed in the 20th century, advertisements promptly followed. These were known as the golden ages of advertisement. Magazines, radio, and television all became key platforms to reach consumers. The Kool-Aid man, Tony the Tiger, and Mr. Claims, these companies began creating figures to represent their brands. Movie stars, athletes, and musicians all became integral to promoting products. Do you hear that? That's the internet. The online world introduced a new way for marketers to reach consumers at lower costs and at higher reach. In 2023, the global digital advertising market reached $235 billion. In 2024, it's expected to reach over $700 billion. The introduction of the internet has allowed for a dynamic and interactive way for consumers to view products. From Caxton's printed ads to today's digital giants, the advertising industry has undergone a remarkable transformation. The shift from print to digital has vastly expanded the potential to grow. What will come next? I'm Quinn Peyton. Thank you for listening.