This week's question focuses on what most everyone finds to be the most annoying aspect of listening to the radio, watching TV, or surfing the Web, and that is...commercials! Yet, without them, we would not have such a diversity of programming choices available to us.

Ever since the first radio commercial for a real estate company was broadcast back in the early 1920's, advertising has become a multi-billion dollar effort with ad agencies and manufacturers attempting to persuade us to purchase and consume products. Broadcast advertising is comprised of different levels, or areas of concentration.

There is retail, local, regional, national, and prime time TV network advertising campaigns. Complete the following to answer this Thought Question:

1. List a total of three commercials from either radio or TV that caught your attention, either as clever and funny, or downright annoying and obnoxious. Why did you pick these particular ads?

2. What was the motivating factor or factors involved in helping you recollect these particular commercials?

3. How would you classify them in terms of their category? Is it a national ad, where it is probably seen or heard around the country, like McDonald's? Is a regional ad for a business that is in a large geographic area like Southern California, like Carl's Jr.? Or is a local ad for a one-store operation in one city, like a car dealer or specialized retailer? Be sure to elaborate on your choices, and why you feel they captured your attention, and fit the bill for their respective category.