Advertising is a form of communication for marketing and used to encourage, persuade, or manipulate an audience to continue or take
some new action. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common. In Latin, ad vertere means "to turn the mind toward."

The purpose of advertising may also be to reassure employees or shareholders that a company is viable or successful. Advertising
messages are usually paid for by sponsors and viewed via various traditional media; including mass media such as newspaper, magazines,
television commercials, radio advertisements, outdoor advertising or direct mail; or new media such as blogs, websites or text messages.
Commercial advertisers often seek to generate increased consumption of their products or services through "branding," which involves
associating a product name or image with certain qualities in the minds of consumers.

Non-commercial advertisers who spend money to advertise items other than a consumer product or service include political parties, interest
groups, religious organizations and governmental agencies. Non-profit organizations may place ads to raise awareness or encourage a
change in behavior or perception.