History: Advertising has a long and varied history, during which it has affected the development of various media.

Industry: Advertising is a big business, one that is best understood through an analysis of the client, the agency, the objectives of the advertising, and the type of media that are used to fulfill those objectives.

Controversies: Controversies in advertising tend to revolve around freedom of speech, which is a complex topic when it includes ads that are potentially misleading; ads directed at children; and the influence that advertisers have on media content.