What Came First, The Chicken or The Egg?

Recently, I've heard and engaged in some debates whether marketing is the same thing as advertising. Thanks to a blog entry by Seth Godin, (read blog entry here) I decided to post this entry.

For those who don't know, MARKETING IS NOT THE SAME THING AS ADVERTISING! Advertising is a single component of a marketing plan, it tends to come in the final stages of launching a new product into the market. Without the proper marketing, the product cannot be advertised properly to the right market segment, and therefore, whoever it is is that is advertising the product, is wasting money.

Supporting my argument above, you can clearly see that in order to aim the product to the right segment, you have to analyze the market and see who you wish to sell the product to. Think of it this way; A business provides the solutions to the consumer's problem. The marketing campaign will provide the business with the idea of who they wish to provide the solution to. Advertising, will help the consumer see what the solution to their problem is.

Just about every "great" product out there, is a result of an effective marketing campaign, followed by the proper advertising of the product to the public.


"If someone comes to you with a 'great' product that just needs some marketing, the game is probably already over.''

- Seth Godin