West Terrace: What's in this section of the mall?
Isaac: Hey! Have you looked around this place? There's advertising everywhere: posters, signs, TV commercials, radio spots—you name it, it's out there.
Emily: Have you ever wondered why there are so many ads, and what they're really for? Advertisers create ads to promote products we might need or want—or things we never even knew we wanted—in hopes that we'll buy them.
Isaac: Ads are usually pretty helpful. They tell us about sales; they point out when and where to find a new product, and how much it costs; and they give us an idea of what to expect from that product.
Emily: But as great as most ads are, it always pays to read and evaluate the details carefully. Some ads may not tell the whole story. Some might… well… exaggerate what their product can do, and you might find that it doesn't say exactly what you thought it did at first glance. I found the perfect example over by the Nutritional Store. Stop by there and I'll show you what I'm talking about.
Isaac: Advertisers have to tell the truth in their ads. It's the law. If their ads aren't truthful—or if they're misleading—the government can get involved and challenge their claims. That's a huge part of what the Federal Trade Commission does. They make sure businesses obey the laws against misleading advertising. Government agencies like the FTC challenge deceptive ads AFTER they've been already been printed or broadcasted, but they don't make sure ads are truthful BEFORE they're shown to the public. That means consumers like us have to stay sharp and read the details.
Emily: Anyway—we could talk forever, but I'm sure you'd rather explore the mall and learn more on your own. If you have any questions, we'll be around the mall.
Isaac: Just click on one of us and we'll enrich your brain with our gold nuggets of wisdom.
Emily: Right… something like that. Have fun!
Isaac: See you around.