Classification of Advertising Based on Area, Audience & Media Type

Businesses have products to sell. They need to locate clients who wish to purchase such items if they are to live and prosper. Now, the advertising

Advertising, sometimes referred to as an advert or ad, is typically seen as a public discourse supporting a good, service, organization, or event. Some consider the concept broader than that, encompassing any paid advertising intended to enlighten or persuade. The classification of advertising simplifies the process for the business to target the right audience. 

To establish an advertising campaign’s objectives and goals and ensure that the advertising message properly reaches the target audience, it is essential to classify advertising according to area, audience, media, function, and advertising phases.

What is the Classification of Advertising?

The advertising classification is based on four factors: 

1) Area 

2) Audience

3) Media

4) Function

The target audience’s demographics and geographic location are considered when classifying an area. The sort of people or companies that the advertisement is targeting determines the audience. The platform used to convey the ad, such as print, broadcast, outdoor, or digital, determines the media type it belongs to. 

The classification of functions depends on the advertisement’s purpose, such as to inform, convince, recall, or promote a specific event. Advertisers use these divisions to identify the most pertinent target market and accomplish their advertising objectives.

Classification of Advertising

Advertising may be divided into four main categories: Area, audience, media, and function. This categorization method can help business owners better understand the numerous aspects of advertising and organize their advertising initiatives. Let’s examine all significant categories:

Classification on the Basis of Area

Advertising can be classified based on its target geographical area. This categorization greatly influences the reach and breadth of the advertising campaign. Following are the various categories of area-based classification:

• Local Advertising: 

Local advertising focuses on a particular city, town, or neighborhood. Local marketing works best for small firms that want to reach a specific area. Local newspapers, direct mail, and regional television and radio stations are some of the media outlets utilized for local advertising.

• Regional Advertising: 

This advertising focuses on a particular state or region. Enterprises with many sites within a single region or businesses aiming to reach a specific region should use regional advertising. Regional magazines, newspapers, and local television and radio stations, are among the media outlets utilized for regional advertising.

• National Advertising: 

This kind of advertising aims at the entire nation. National advertising is perfect for companies with a national presence or a good or service with broad appeal. National periodicals, newspapers, television networks, and radio stations are some of the outlets utilized for national advertising.

• International Advertising: 

A worldwide audience is the objective of this kind of advertising. Businesses with a global presence or with goods or services that are popular worldwide should use international advertising. International periodicals, newspapers, television networks, and radio stations are some of the media outlets utilized for global advertising.

Classification on the Basis of Audience

Advertising can be classified based on the target audience. This classification is essential to identify the target demographic and ensure that the advertising campaign successfully reaches the target audience. Following are the various categories of audience-based classification:

• Demographic Classification: 

A specific demographic, such as one based on age, gender, income, education, or employment, is the focus of this categorization. Demographic categorization suits firms aiming to reach a specific population, such as teens or elders.

• Interest-based Classification: 

This categorization focuses on a particular interest group, such as sports fans and tech-savvy or eco-conscious shoppers. Businesses that want to market to customers with specific hobbies or interests can use interest-based categorization.

• Behavioral Classification: 

Consumers are targeted in this way depending on their actions, such as past purchases, internet activity, or brand loyalty. Businesses that target clients with particular habits, such as repeat customers or those who have expressed interest in a specific good or service, can use behavioral categorization.

Classification on the Basis of Media

Advertising may be categorized based on the media utilized to spread the advertising message. This categorization is essential for choosing the most effective media to communicate the advertising message to the target audience successfully. The many media-based categorization categories include:

• Television Advertising: 

Television is the media used by this advertisement to spread its message. Businesses with a big budget and a broad target audience should use television advertising. By advertising television, companies may communicate visually and audibly with a big audience.

• Radio Advertising: 

Radio is used in this sort of advertising as the medium to spread the message. Businesses with a focused target demographic, like commuters, and a tight budget can consider radio advertising. Companies may transmit an audio message to a specific audience through radio advertising.

• Print Advertising: 

Print media, such as magazines and newspapers, are used in this sort of advertising to communicate the message. Businesses targeting particular groups, like the elderly or professionals, should use print advertising. Companies may communicate a visual message to a specific audience by using print advertising.

• Outdoor Advertising

Public signs, billboards, and posters are all examples of outdoor advertising. Businesses wishing to reach a local audience and raise awareness in a particular location should turn to outdoor media.

• Digital Advertising

Online advertising falls under this category, including display advertising, search engine advertising, social media advertising, and mobile advertising. Businesses wishing to reach a target audience through digital channels, such as the internet and mobile devices, should use digital media.

Classification on the Basis of Function

Advertising may be categorized depending on what it does or serves. The aims and goals of the advertising campaign must be based on this categorization. Following are the several categories of function-based classification:

• Informative Advertising

This type of advertising aims to educate the target market about a new good or service. Businesses launching a new product line or presenting a new service to the market should use informative advertising. Informative advertising aims to raise awareness of the product or service and educate the target audience.

• Persuasive Advertising

This kind of advertising persuades the target market to do something, like buy something or join up for a service. Businesses aiming to boost sales or gain market share should use persuasive advertising. Effective advertising aims to persuade the target audience to do something.

• Comparative Advertising

In this kind of advertising, a product or service is contrasted with one offered by a rival. Businesses that want to distinguish their goods or services from those of competitors and emphasize their unique qualities and advantages should use comparative advertising. Comparative advertising seeks to convince the target market that the item or service is superior to the rivals.

• Reminder Advertising

This kind of advertising aims to remind the target market of a good or service. Businesses wishing to sustain brand recognition and keep their product or service top-of-mind with the target audience could turn to reminder advertising. Reminder advertising seeks to maintain a brand’s product or service in mind while also prompting its target market to take action.

Classification on the Basis of Advertising Stages

Advertising can also be classified based on the stages of the advertising campaign. This classification is crucial in determining the objectives and goals of the advertising campaign and ensuring that the message effectively reaches the target audience. The different types of advertising stages are:

• Awareness Stage

This stage aims to inform and raise awareness of the target market about the good or service. The awareness stage seeks to spark curiosity and establish a favorable impression of the item or service.

• Consideration Stage

This phase persuades the target market to think about the item or service. Creating interest and motivating the target audience to act are the goals of the contemplation stage.

• Conversion Stage

This stage aims to convince the intended audience to perform a specific action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a service. The conversion stage’s goals are to boost revenue and expand market share.

• Loyalty Stage

Building and keeping consumer loyalty is the fundamental goal of this stage. The purpose of the loyalty stage is to keep consumers and raise satisfaction levels.

Classifying advertising based on area, audience, media, function, and advertising stages is crucial in determining the objectives and goals of an advertising campaign and ensuring that the advertising message effectively reaches the target audience. Businesses may make informed judgements about their advertising efforts and achieve their marketing objectives by being aware of the many facets of advertising.

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