In the past decade, actions to protect consumers have increased.

For example, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 rose out of the Enron debacle; Edward Snowden, an ex-CIA computer technician, became a high profile "whistleblower" reporting U.S. surveillance abuses. However, advertising has been largely unaffected by legal scrutiny.

The most criticized of all marketing activities, advertising is frequently annoying, sometimes misleading and often ineffective.

Many students maintain that advertising is a waste of money, that it doesn't sway them toward purchase at all. Is that true?

Based on what you've learned from your readings this week, what is your opinion?

Would you argue that advertising is pointless, that products should be able to compete without advertising standing on their own merit?

Would you argue that there is redeeming value to advertising?

Substantiate your opinion with an example that supports your point of view.