It has clearly done much good by bringing many useful inventions, ideas and by-products of major research programmes to a wide number of people. But to say that this is still all it does would be too superficial. People are persuaded to identify themselves with what they consume.
Advertisers sell dreams, ideal images and ways of life and values.
The consumerist values and human images which advertising perpetually reinforces are simple stereotypes. It is pervasive and ubiquitous and that, in part, gives it its enormous power. Once, advertisers were associated only with promoting goods, skills or certain professional abilities. In addition it could be said that all forms of mass media rely on advertising for their existence. Advertising takes many forms, not all of them directly associated with selling a product.