Marketing Terms PaperMisleading AdvertisingMisleading advertising has been around since the dawn of time and is still prevalent today. Sometimes this is done unknowingly by an advertiser, but more often than not; this is done with the intention of misleading the consumer, making misleading advertising a relevant marketing ethics issue. Misleading advertising is a growing trend among businesses in our society. This trend involves directly trying to deceive consumers into thinking they're getting something great, when in reality, they're getting nothing. All age groups are targeted by misleading advertising. It all depends on your level of consumption knowledge. Almost every company is guilty of this crime, including Phillip Morris Tobacco, weight loss programs, and even grocery stores to name a few. Under federal and state law, an advertisement is illegal if it tends to mislead or deceive even if it does so. In fact, I'm not fooling anyone. If your ad is misleading, you will face legal issues whether or not you intended to mislead the customer. What matters is the overall impression created by the advertisement, not the technical veracity of the individual parts. Consumers are heavily influenced by countless advertisements urging them to purchase products that they may or may not need or want. The reason many companies and businesses misinform consumers is simply to increase their business. If a company feels that a product is not of high enough quality compared to its competitors, it will lower the price and perhaps put the product in an eye-catching box or come up with a catchy slogan. Many consumers can see through this system, but most do not. Although many of these advertisements honestly inform and educate consumers, some are false, misleading... middle of paper ... This is a controversial topic. What may seem like a harmless advertisement to one person or group may be very misleading to another. With the evolution of technology and the ever-increasing use of the Internet, consumers remain prime targets for deceptive advertising and marketing practices. Fortunately, laws and oversight agencies continue to improve and will continue to protect the consumer from many advertising and marketing practices. Overall, while advertisements may be pleasing to the eye and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, just remember that they are mostly filled with lies and deception. Try to study the products and know what you are getting into. Buyers… Beware. Works Cited American Marketing Association [online]. Available: www.ama.orgBetter Business Bureau [online]. Available: www.bbb.orgFederal Trade Commission [online]. Available: www.ftc.gov