Advertising can be classified in several ways:
1. Based on the type of demand it aims to influence - primary demand to increase overall consumption of a category vs. selective demand to differentiate a specific brand.
2. Based on its objective - institutional advertising promotes a company while product advertising sells a specific product.
3. Based on its audience - consumer, industrial, trade, non-profit, or public service.
4. Based on the timing of response - direct advertising aims for immediate action while indirect does not.