Smiff, I suggest you stick your head in the sand 'cause advertising is big business whether you like it or not.
Yes of course advertising is big business - it's also the bane of modern society and a constant nuisance and just because it's big business that doesn't make it good or correct.SMS Text messages clogging up our phones - Spam , Junk mail clogging up inboxes - pop-ups and unwanted redirections while sufing the internet. Sales people making cold calls to private numbers - we are not even safe in our own homes from the avaricious advertiser.
You can't watch an hours T.V without half an hour of commercial breaks. It is out of control, it is now beyond normal advertising , it is intrusive and aggresive.
And where would the world be without advertising eh?
What toothpaste did you use this morning? why that one? what shop did you get it from? why that one? which bank did you withdraw the money from to buy the toothpaste? why that one? Oh you used your VISA, why VISA? why that credit provider?
Just because you are obviously very much influenced and directed by advertising that doesn't mean everybody is.
You may notice that I mentioned UNSOLICITED advertising. If I am actively looking for a product then I can always solicit or find what I am looking for. What I detest is the constant bombardment of UNSOLICITED ads.
I am not a person who buys certain brands swayed by advertising. My toothpaste is normally the cheapest of the shelf - normally the "value" or "no-frills" product. The shop I bought it at will be the closest to home or one that is the most convenient to me.
I use whatever credit card that gives me the lowest rate of interest - I often reseach myself maybe even SOLICIT a bit of advertising.I switch often and NEVER use a credit card based purely on an advert which would be daft.