That is a well-worn but true slogan. It does pay. The pay goes to the advertising entity. Today advertising is everywhere, from pop-ups on the computer to gimme' caps and pens. I was sending off a bill this morning to some gas company and saw their envelope was plastered with an ad attempting to sell me jewelry. I am well stocked in jewelry. I have some cuff links and tie clasps that haven't been worn for years. There are even a few old fob watches lying about. I do not need jewelry.
I get a slick magazine that costs almost nothing, for the size of it. This month it has 348 pages. They MUST have a bit of advertising in those pages. I set out to count the pages. I could been off a few pages because of half and quarter-page ads but I counted TWO HUNDRED SIXTY PAGES of advertising in that one copy. Some of it is quite discreetly appearing to be a news article. In a faded grey print one can see the word "advertisement" at times, but not always. There is nothing illegal about all this. It is the way the advertising game is played. It DOES call on the reader or viewer to be on guard and not be taken in by appearance.
Beer commercials are an example. They show people laughing and having fun. Comments about their product are like "light" and filled with "gusto". Just once I would like to see one of their ads say something like this: " Hit this good stuff for a few bottles and you won't be able to find your car in the parking lot!".
Advertising is the "life blood" of newspapers, magazine, TV, and business. It is a vital and usable industry. It can be a great help to all of us, from the yellow pages of a phone book to garage sales on Saturday. I am simply cautioning readers so you not be "taken in" by some slick ad or phone call from Africa offering shares in a diamond mine.
Some day you may see commercials in your Bible. Example: "Read chapter three of John then call us for your exclusive, finely tailored baptismal robe. Ceremonies conducted by Reverend Loudin Long. Cell 777-666" Have a great day.
