Times they are a changin'

For years companies have been driving truck loads of money to the front steps of advertising firms and letting them use their "creative genius" to create ground breaking ads that will cause their products to fly of the shelves and change the world.. I think its time companies rethink their strategies.As a consumer, I know that I am over whelmed everyday with the amount of ads I am exposed to. From the newspaper, news websites, bus advertising, TV, radio, etc.. the list is endless. Although I am aware the ads exist, I rarely pay attention to these adds, which leads me to feel they are partly useless. Now I understand that the subconcious mind may absorb the ads we see, although I feel this is not good enough when firms are paided MILLIONs to "sell" the product.In order for me to spend millions of dollars to sell my product, i want to make sure customers remember my company and the product I am looking to sell. In the future I feel advertising campaigns will become more of an art form rather than a useful way to sell products.Now in saying this, I feel Public relation campaigns and alternative advertising is likely to take front and center. the reason I say this is because when consumers see something out of the ordinary, whether it be a news story about the positives effects a product has, or standout adds on grocery bag, consumers are much more likely to register the message. Public relations is often over looked although it is truely one of the most valuable tools that can be used in building a brand. Remember, you cant build a brand with advertising, only maintain it.