Which of the following best describes advertising?

The statement that advertising is best described as paid communication through mass media accurately captures the essence of what advertising entails. Advertising is fundamentally a paid activity, where businesses invest money to promote their products or services with the intention of reaching a wide audience. This is accomplished typically through various mass media channels such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and online platforms. The goal of this paid communication is to inform, persuade, or remind consumers about a brand or product, effectively creating awareness and driving consumer behavior.

In contrast, direct interaction with customers relates more to personal selling and customer service rather than advertising. Free public relations efforts focus on managing the public perception of a company and often do not include direct payment for space or time in media. Personal selling techniques involve face-to-face communication with individual customers, which is distinct from the broader approach of advertising intended for mass consumption. Therefore, the correct description of advertising aligns with its nature as a paid communication strategy, aiming to leverage mass media for effective reach and impact.