Advertising vs. Propaganda
What is Difference between advertising and propaganda? From the beginning of humanity, people have sought ways to influence the minds and decisions of others; this for a myriad of reasons, ranging from a way to ensure survival to the desire to exercise and dominate over others to obtain various benefits. Below this post is all about the difference between advertising and propaganda.
Difference between Advertising and Propaganda
As societies have advanced, methods of persuasion have also changed and evolved. In antiquity it was common to persuade by word, hence in history many speakers and philosophers stand out; but already in a more modern age, with the arrival of the Industrial Revolution; the desire to convince others and attract them gave way to the emergence of many new techniques, including advertising and propaganda.
If you think that the two previous terms have the same meaning, you are very wrong. But do not worry, because then we are going to clarify to you what is the difference between propaganda and publicity.
Advertising
Advertising is aimed at promoting the desire for consumer goods, for this uses various methods ranging from the use of images and other multimedia elements; to suggestive phrases.
Through advertising, it seeks to emotionally persuade people to buy certain products or services. Advertisers use many of the latent desires of people: to be rich, to be beautiful, to be more popular, to be more intelligent … and thus convince them to buy a certain product.
Today, advertising permeates our culture; we see advertisements in newspapers, television, the internet, magazines, billboards, shopping malls and of course; in this page. Through technology, advertising seeks the way to reach as many people as possible. Many times he uses exaggeration or hyperbole to influence the minds of consumers.
Advertising has two main audiences: consumers and businesses. Advertisers inform people about products or services offered by a particular company, for this reason they usually include data such as location and prices in the same add
As you may have noticed after reading all this, the main feature of advertising is that it focuses on business.
Propaganda
Unlike advertising, advertising is not for the purpose of selling any product or service; but what it seeks is to influence the attitudes of people. Change the way of thinking, the opinions and even the beliefs of the same.
For the propaganda also is used to the technology and diverse multimedia elements; In addition, in this case, hyperbole is also used to transmit certain ideas to the public. But in this case, it is not about selling anything. Advertising influences even educational systems and have the characteristic that its effect is usually more lasting and radical than advertising.
Two of the most recognizable forms of propaganda are political and religious. Political propaganda is especially evident in the election season, when opposition candidates begin “taking out the rags in the sun” from their opponents, to damage the reputation of the other and increase their popularity.
In politics, propaganda is one of the most powerful arsenals used to influence public opinion. On the other hand, religious propaganda comes in many forms; but essentially in all cases it plays with the emotions of individuals, encouraging them to behave in a certain way.
Other forms of propaganda to which we are accustomed are those that have to do with options of sexuality, racism, drugs, health care and lifestyle. Some advertisements can be positive when, for example, you seek to promote a healthier lifestyle. Generally, the advertisements are not made by companies, but by groups of all levels: religious organizations, political parties, ethnic groups…
In conclusion, they may differ in purpose; but the line that separates advertising from propaganda is so fine, so much so in many cases; both can go hand in hand. At the time of advertising, companies could use a certain ideology to attract more buyers to their products. By means of this ideology they can create a kind of reason, motivation or necessity in the minds of consumers.
In the same way, many advertisements are combined with messages based on advertising; in order to gain more success in its purpose. Both are different, but intertwine many times. In both cases we seek to reach the emotions, beliefs, desires and needs of the audience in order to achieve their purposes. The Key differences between advertising and propaganda are
Advertising focuses on business and business, while propaganda is often exercised by social groups.
Advertising is intended to change attitudes, beliefs … while advertising is intended to sell products and services.
