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The Evolution Of Advertising: How Commercials Have Changed In The Last Decade

By March 1, 2019September 13th, 2023No Comments

Advertising and commercials have come a long way since the first ad was published all the way back in 1704. Since then, marketing and advertising have seen some major milestones. Constantly adapting to new mediums and an increasingly tech-savvy audience, the world of advertising has gone through many changes in the past years.

One thing that had a big impact on advertising than anything else is the introduction of the World Wide Web. The internet has singlehandedly revolutionized the way audiences viewed and perceived ads. Advertisement changed from fuzzy old infomercials to clear-cut, well-executed commercials.

Traditional Advertising – Then

The first TV ad aired on screens across America in 1941. Brands built characters around their products in order to create a connection between the brand and the viewers. Famous faces were brought on board to sell products ranging from cigarettes to washing machines. Think back to the famous Marlboro Man ad campaigns or Frosted Flakes ads featuring Tony the Tiger.

In traditional advertising, the purpose of the ads was one dimensional: to sell the product. Yes, there were characters and storylines that were central to the ads, but the brand product remained at the forefront of the ads.

Ads Now: A Different Motive

Advertisements today do more than just sell a product or a service. The recent shift in the advertising world has seen the commercials move away from the sell-only mentality. The ads of today are more geared toward building brand awareness as well as community building.

The Product/Service Is Not the Sole Centerpiece

Today’s ads don’t just focus on what their product is; they focus on the problems of their consumers. Their products just happen to be the solution to the viewers’ problems. In the online world, brands have to work doubly hard to gain the trust of the increasingly-wary audience, and a soft-sell approach is just the way to do that.

Consumers Have Become More Active Than Passive

One recent introduction to the world of advertisements: the ad-blocker option. Audiences no longer have to sit through commercials they don’t want to watch or be bombarded with irrelevant ads as the browse online. They can now actively choose to block those ads. This is not to be taken lightly; the ad-blocking trend has cost marketers $22 billion in revenue.

Consumers Trust Commercials Less

The leading demographic of today’s age is the millennial generation and they happen to be increasingly skeptical of commercials and ads. They’re particularly picky about what they want to watch and listen to. Brands need to start building a loyal consumer base through authentic ideas so that consumers would want to buy the product. Now it’s about delivering solutions and building connections rather than using the “Sell, sell, sell!” approach.

About 336 Productions

Are you looking to create stellar commercials that wow your consumers? Contact us! With our video production services, you can connect with your audience! Known as one of the top video marketing services in Orange County, we can help you out with your video production needs!

Marlowe Stone

"Marlowe Stone is the Co-Owner and Co-Founder of 336 Productions, a video agency specializing in corporate video production and branded media, producing content for government agencies and some of the world's biggest brands.She oversees the day-to-day operations of the business, and also writes, produces, and project manages many of 336's projects.In 2022, Marlowe graduated with her Executive MBA from UCI to gain new insights and knowledge. She also holds a certificate in Women's Leadership and Digital Transformation.An Orange County native and Mom to two girls, Marlowe is most happy enjoying time with family and friends."