The first signs of publicity are found in the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Greece. In Egypt, papyri have been discovered that contained advertisements for commercial services, such as the rental of property and the sale of slaves. These handwritten documents are early examples of how merchants communicated their offers to the public.
In ancient Greece, merchants used the “crier” or crier, a person responsible for advertising products and services in markets and public squares. These criers were hired to attract the attention of passers-by with their verbal announcements, highlighting the features and advantages of the products.
In ancient Rome, advertising was also present in everyday life. Wax tablets and building walls were used to register advertisements about events, shows and the sale of products. These messages, known as “albae” (from which the word “album” derives), were an effective form of mass communication in bustling Roman cities.
During the Middle Ages, advertising took new forms as cities and commerce expanded. The artisan and merchant guilds used signs and emblems to identify their stores and workshops. These visual symbols were essential at a time when the majority of the population was illiterate.
In addition, street vendors and minstrels acted as mobile advertisers, spreading news and promoting products at fairs and markets. The tradition of using chants and rhymes to attract the attention of buyers was kept alive for many centuries.
The Industrial Revolution marked a turning point in the history of advertising. With the rise of new technologies and the expansion of the media, advertising began to evolve rapidly.
The invention of printing by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century allowed for the mass production of printed matter. The first print ads began to appear in brochures and newspapers, reaching a much wider audience. In 1704, the first advertisement was published in an American newspaper, the “Boston News-Letter”, promoting the sale of land.
The Industrial Revolution brought with it an explosion of manufactured products and the need to commercialize them. Companies began to recognize the power of advertising to increase sales and create demand. The first advertising agencies emerged, responsible for designing and placing advertisements in newspapers and magazines.
The 20th century saw the rise of mass advertising with the arrival of new media, such as radio and television. Radio commercials, which began airing in the 1920s, allowed companies to reach national audiences with persuasive and entertaining messages.
Television, which became popular in the 1950s, revolutionized advertising by offering a visual and auditory platform to reach millions of homes. TV commercials became a powerful tool for building brands and creating emotional connections with consumers.
The arrival of the Internet at the end of the 20th century and its rapid expansion in the 21st century transformed advertising once again. Digital advertising, with its precise segmentation and measurement capabilities, opened up new opportunities for brands. Social networks, search engines and websites became the new platforms for advertising, allowing for more direct and personalized interactions with consumers.
From the first advertisements on Egyptian papyri to digital campaigns on social networks, advertising has come a long way. Its evolution reflects changes in society, technology and commerce over the centuries. Today, advertising remains a powerful force that influences our decisions and shapes our cultures.
The origins of advertising remind us that, although tools and media have changed, the need to communicate and persuade remains a constant in the human experience.
The first signs of publicity are found in the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Greece. In Egypt, papyri have been discovered that contained advertisements for commercial services, such as the rental of property and the sale of slaves. These handwritten documents are early examples of how merchants communicated their offers to the public.
In ancient Greece, merchants used the “crier” or crier, a person responsible for advertising products and services in markets and public squares. These criers were hired to attract the attention of passers-by with their verbal announcements, highlighting the features and advantages of the products.
In ancient Rome, advertising was also present in everyday life. Wax tablets and building walls were used to register advertisements about events, shows and the sale of products. These messages, known as “albae” (from which the word “album” derives), were an effective form of mass communication in bustling Roman cities.
During the Middle Ages, advertising took new forms as cities and commerce expanded. The artisan and merchant guilds used signs and emblems to identify their stores and workshops. These visual symbols were essential at a time when the majority of the population was illiterate.
In addition, street vendors and minstrels acted as mobile advertisers, spreading news and promoting products at fairs and markets. The tradition of using chants and rhymes to attract the attention of buyers was kept alive for many centuries.
The Industrial Revolution marked a turning point in the history of advertising. With the rise of new technologies and the expansion of the media, advertising began to evolve rapidly.
The invention of printing by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century allowed for the mass production of printed matter. The first print ads began to appear in brochures and newspapers, reaching a much wider audience. In 1704, the first advertisement was published in an American newspaper, the “Boston News-Letter”, promoting the sale of land.
The Industrial Revolution brought with it an explosion of manufactured products and the need to commercialize them. Companies began to recognize the power of advertising to increase sales and create demand. The first advertising agencies emerged, responsible for designing and placing advertisements in newspapers and magazines.
The 20th century saw the rise of mass advertising with the arrival of new media, such as radio and television. Radio commercials, which began airing in the 1920s, allowed companies to reach national audiences with persuasive and entertaining messages.
Television, which became popular in the 1950s, revolutionized advertising by offering a visual and auditory platform to reach millions of homes. TV commercials became a powerful tool for building brands and creating emotional connections with consumers.
The arrival of the Internet at the end of the 20th century and its rapid expansion in the 21st century transformed advertising once again. Digital advertising, with its precise segmentation and measurement capabilities, opened up new opportunities for brands. Social networks, search engines and websites became the new platforms for advertising, allowing for more direct and personalized interactions with consumers.
From the first advertisements on Egyptian papyri to digital campaigns on social networks, advertising has come a long way. Its evolution reflects changes in society, technology and commerce over the centuries. Today, advertising remains a powerful force that influences our decisions and shapes our cultures.
The origins of advertising remind us that, although tools and media have changed, the need to communicate and persuade remains a constant in the human experience.
Creativity at your service.
