Port Orange Advertising: Then & Now

In the past, a trusted slogan and informative advertisement may have been all that was needed to catch customers’ eyes… but the advertising industry sure has changed over the years! Today, we’re looking at how the ads of yesteryear have transformed into the ones we know today.

A greater focus on branding

In recent years, commercials and ads that advertised a brand, as opposed to that brand’s newest product, have become the norm. Why is this? While strictly “brand” advertising has been around for a while, it has gained popularity recently due to the ease of creating a presence for your business. You couldn’t develop a brand presence with a one-shot flyer, for example, but you can do it when you have access to TVs, phones or the internet.

Branding has also become more important with time, since in today’s modern age there are more and more businesses “sprouting up” and more options than ever for consumers. Setting yourself apart is more crucial today than it has ever been before.

The larger role of data and research

For about as long as advertising has been around, there has been data and research behind it. But today, the extent and capability of that research is staggering. Business owners can track views of their online ads, gauge customer response to different marketing moves, and learn about growing trends in their industry… and they don’t have to be extremely successful or well off to do it. Internet access and a bit of marketing savvy can help business owners best decide the next step to take.

Increased ways to connect with customers

Today, it’s rare to see a business that doesn’t actively include its website or social media links in all of its advertising—and that’s a good thing! Online resources have given business owners more ways to stay in touch with customers and promote their business. When all you had was a newspaper ad to get your business and its message across to customers, you had to cram lots of information into a very small space. Now, you can provide the basics and include a link for more information—no need to fit it all on an ad, business card or phone book!

This advantage has also led to one of the biggest parts of modern advertising…

…Minimalism

While by no means a cookie cutter rule for advertising, minimalism in design has become a big part of many businesses’ advertising plans and overall style. As we mentioned earlier, advertisements don’t need to be cluttered or over packed—they can simply include the basics and give potential customers a “jumping off” point to get started and, if they decide to do so, find more information later on. This minimalist style also carries over to many of our websites and promotional material.

If you’ve been in business for a long time, what differences have you noticed? It’s only understandable to want to cling to tradition—but for the most part, it seems that these advertising innovations can only help business in the long run.