Definition of advertising

Current:

• Advertising is a paid nonpersonal communication from an identified sponsor, using mass media to persuade or influence an audience

New (proposed in article "Oracles on "advertising": Searching for a definition"

• Advertising is a paid, mediated form of communication from an identifiable source, designed to persuade the receiver to take some action, now or in the future.
• "Mediated" communication is that which is conveyed to an audience through print, electronics, or any method other than direct person-to-person contact