Advertising is a one-way communication whose purpose is to inform potential customers about products and services and how to obtain them. Promotion involves disseminating information about a product, product line, brand, or company. It is one of the four key aspects of the marketing mix. Advertising may be one form of promotion.

Comparison chart

Advertising versus Promotion comparison chart

AdvertisingPromotionTimeLong termShort termDefinitionOne-way communication of a persuasive message by an identified sponsor, whose purpose is non-personal promotion of products/services to potential customers.A Promotion usually involves an immediate incentive for a buyer (intermediate distributor or end consumer). It can also involve disseminating information about a product, product line, brand, or company.PriceExpensive in most casesNot very expensive in most cases.Suitable forMedium to large companiesSmall to large companiesSalesAssumption that it will lead to salesDirectly related to sales.ExampleGiving an advertisement in the Newspaper or TV about the major products of a companyGiving free products, coupons etc.PurposeBrand Building, Continuity, Brand switch, Switching backAttract new tries or brand switchers, Reward loyal customers, Increase sales and repurchase rates.ResultSlowlyvery SoonApproachUnique to product/serviceNot necessarily unique to product/serviceNature of appeal to the consumerAdvertising is emotional in nature and the objective is to create an enduring brand image. Perfumes, makeup and jewelery need imaginative advertising to create the allure needed to sell these products.Sales promotions, on the other hand, are unemotional in their approach. A cents-off coupon for cereal appeals to the consumer's rational mind and is a sales promotion. The consumer weighs the price of one cereal brand versus others.ObjectiveBuilding brand image and boosting sales.Short term sales push.MeaningAdvertising is a technique of driving public attention towards a product or service, through paid network.The set of activities that spread a word about the product, brand or service is known as promotion.CommunicationOne way ProcessTwo way processStrategyPromotional strategyMarketing strategy

Differences in Timeframe

Promotions are time specific and may be short term while advertising may be generically long term. For example: ABS company may start a promotion of giving free drinks at a mall for a day during the festive season, while the same company may advertise much before about their drink at the start of the festive season and extend it during and beyond the season. Advertising is aimed towards the long term building of the brand while Promotion is aimed at the short term tactical goal of moving ahead in sales.

Types of promotion and advertising

Promotion is generally divided in two parts:

• Above the line promotion: Promotion in the media.
• Below the line promotion: All other promotion. Much of this is intended to be subtle enough that the consumer is unaware that promotion is taking place. E.g. sponsorship, product placement, endorsements, sales promotion, merchandising, direct mail, personal selling, public relations, trade shows.

Advertising can be of the following types:

• Media: Commercial advertising media can include wall paintings, billboards, street furniture components, printed flyers and rack cards, radio, cinema and television ads, web banners, mobile telephone screens, shopping carts, web popups, skywriting, bus stop benches etc.
• Covert Advertising: Covert advertising is when a product or brand is embedded in entertainment and media. For example: John Travolta wearing only "Diesel" clothing in a movie.
• Television Commercials: Virtual advertisements may be inserted into regular television programming through computer graphics. It is typically inserted into otherwise blank backdrops.
• Internet Advertising: This is the newest form of advertising wherein web space is used and email advertising is used. On the internet, there is often an overlap of advertising and promotion on sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter, where individuals and small businesses try to raise funding for their ideas, often in exchange for promotional items or items that feature advertising of the product/company.

Relationship of Sales with advertising and promotions

Typically promotions are directly linked with sales while advertising is an assumption that it may lead to sales. For example: Giving 20% discount on products may attract a customer and induce instant sale while giving a general brand creation advertisement in the newspaper may not induce immediate sale.

Cost of advertising vs promotion

Promotions are directly linked to sales and hence for small companies it may be easier to use promotional methods. Advertising may be more expensive for small companies and it may not be feasible for them while in advertising it is being assumed that adverts will lead to sales.

For example: A store may give 20% discount on its products which may increase sales while the same shop may find it difficult to advertise this in various medias.