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The oldest known example of advertising was found on a piece of papyrus from ancient Egypt. A carpet seller named Hapu used a written notice to search for a runaway slave, and at the same time, he advertised his shop. This papyrus is considered one of the earliest forms of written advertising in history. -
In ancient Pompeii, walls were used as a space for public advertising. Graffiti promoted political candidates, events, and even businesses. Professional painters were hired to write campaign slogans and announcements: an early form of street advertising that reached everyone in the city. -
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Criers were used to spread messages in busy streets and markets. These public announcers shouted out news, product offers, or event details to reach people who couldn’t read. Criers were one of the earliest forms of live advertising. -
In the Middle Ages, guilds were groups of craftsmen or merchants who worked in the same trade. They set rules for quality, protected workers’ rights, and trained apprentices. Guilds also used symbols on houses and shops to show their trade. It is a simple but powerful form of early advertising. -
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Before Gutenberg, some handwritten pamphlets already existed, but they were rare and slow to produce. After Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, it was possible to print pamphlets quickly and in large numbers. Thanks to his invention, pamphlets became a powerful way to share news, ideas and advertising. -
Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press with movable type. This invention made it possible to print books and advertisements much faster and cheaper than copying by hand. It changed communication forever and helped spread information, ideas, and early printed ads. -
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The Industrial Revolution brought mass production, leading to saturated markets. Producers had to meet not just basic needs but also wants. Advertising and mass communication became essential to differentiate products and convince consumers, keeping factories running despite many choices. -
Albert Lasker was an important man in advertising. During the Industrial Revolution, many new products were made in factories, so companies needed better ways to sell them. Lasker helped make ads more persuasive to convince more people to buy these products. His ideas changed advertising and helped businesses grow. -
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Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec created famous posters like the one for the cabaret Le Chat Noir. His work featured flowing lines and bold shapes, typical of Art Nouveau. He helped make this style popular. -
Alphonse Mucha became famous for his art nouveau posters of actress Sarah Bernhardt. His style featured flowing lines and floral designs, making his work distinctive and popular. Thanks to Mucha, Art nouveau gained worldwide recognition. -
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The first commercial radio advertisement was broadcast in the US. This marked the start of a new era for advertising, as radio allowed companies to reach millions of people at once. Businesses quickly saw the potential of this mass medium and began airing regular ads. This changed advertising from local messages to a powerful tool with nationwide influence. -
The International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris officially introduced art deco to the world. Designers showcased luxurious, modern designs with clean lines and rich decoration. The event made art deco popular and firmly established the style in art, fashion, and architecture. -
The Empire State Building is an iconic example of art deco architecture. It stands out with its clean lines, symmetrical shapes, and rich decorations typical of the style. As one of the tallest skyscrapers of its time, it symbolizes the luxury and modernity of the art deco era. -
During WWII, the “Rosie the Riveter” poster encouraged women to work in factories to support the war effort. It showed how advertising and propaganda expanded to reach new audiences and boost morale. Governments used mass communication to unite people and keep up production during the war. -
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Television became the main medium for advertising. Companies started using short, creative TV commercials to reach large audiences. This changed advertising forever, as brands could now speak directly to consumers in their living rooms. -
Bill Bernbach helped start the creative revolution in advertising. He believed ads should be simple, honest, and creative. His agency, DDB, made the famous “Think small” campaign for Volkswagen, which broke the rules of traditional ads. It changed how brands spoke to people and inspired a new era of creative advertising. -
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Saatchi Saatchi became one of the world’s most powerful ad agencies. Their “Labour isn’t working” poster set a new standard for persuasive messaging. The poster was made in 1979, but made a huge impact in the 80s. -
BBH created the iconic Levi’s “Laundrette” TV ad. Featuring model Nick Kamen stripping in a laundromat, the ad revived Levi’s jeans as a fashion must-have. It mixed sex appeal, music, and style: turning a simple commercial into a pop culture moment and redefining TV advertising with celebrities. -
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Benetton became famous for its shock advertising, created by photographer Oliviero Toscani. Their ads used powerful, often controversial images about topics like AIDS, racism, and war. These campaigns grabbed attention and sparked conversations, changing how brands used shock to connect with audiences. -
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has used powerful and often shocking images in its advertising to raise awareness about environmental and wildlife issues. Their campaigns highlight problems like endangered species, deforestation, and climate change. These visuals grab attention and encourage people to take action to protect the planet. For example, the "Save the whales" campaign. -
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User-Generated Content (UGC) plays a huge role in advertising and marketing. Brands encourage customers to create and share their own photos, videos, and reviews online. UGC builds trust because people tend to believe real users more than traditional ads. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have made UGC a powerful way to connect with audiences and promote products in an authentic way. -
Today, advertisers can measure the effectiveness of their ads much better than before. With digital tools and data analytics, they track how many people see, click, or buy after seeing an ad. This helps companies understand what works and improve their campaigns quickly. Measuring ad efficiency is now key to successful marketing.