How awesome are these ads by Penguin Books in Malaysia . The advertising campaign emphasizing the “unputdownable” nature of classic literature. The hands of readers are transformed into classic novels, “The Railway Children” by Edith Nesbit, John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, and “Hound of the Baskervilles” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

I like how the ad shown above bring positivity and encourage others to read more. Although most people think that advertising is only about promoting a product or service, advertising is actually a multi-faceted tool that can help a business accomplish a myriad of objectives. Advertising can take many forms, and can be handled in-house or by an outside marketing and advertising firm. How much advertising will cost you is determined by your budget and by your ultimate advertising objectives.

According to an article entitled "The Positive Effects of Advertising" by Lisa McQuerrey; Advertising is important to a business because it helps you identify and compete with other similar businesses, and it has the additional benefit of raising the image, the reputation and identity of a company among the communities it serves.
Reputation Management
A good advertising campaign can help shape the public perception of your business. For example, if you want to be known for low prices, fair dealings, a family friendly environment, having knowledgeable professionals or an elite experience, advertising can have a positive effect toward shaping your messaging to help meet those objectives. It can also help differentiate you from your competition, enabling you to stand out from the crowd.
Increased Sales
Another positive effect of advertising -- when done correctly -- is an increase in sales. This can then allow for expansion efforts, franchising, new product introductions and a host of other business functions. A company that has a positive public profile also has the potential to attract better employees and investors.
Tip
Some businesses, when cutting back on expenses, consider advertising as an “extra” expense they can do without. Removing yourself from market view, however, can actually cost more in lost business than what the original advertising might have cost.
If you don’t opt to hire an in-house advertising pro, you may discover that you're well served by hiring an advertising or marketing firm to develop a strategy for you. Narrow the field of choices by looking for agencies that specialize in advertising your line of business. Ask for references and sample campaigns, and articulate what you’re trying to achieve with your advertising investment. A good company will be able to outline a specific strategy for you and can work within your budgetary guidelines. A professional group will also help track the results of your advertising initiatives, to help you determine which approach works best for your business.