About this Study Set
This study set covers Advertising History through
25 practice questions.
A collection of factual questions covering the milestones, figures, and dates in the history of global advertising. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 25 questions from the
Advertising History Trivia study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
In what year did the first paid radio advertisement air in the United States?
-
A
1922
-
B
1930
-
C
1915
-
D
1945
2
Who is credited with creating the first advertising agency in 1841?
-
A
David Ogilvy
-
B
Volney B. Palmer
-
C
Leo Burnett
-
D
Albert Lasker
3
What was the first product ever sold via a television commercial in 1941?
-
A
Coca-Cola
-
B
Bulova Watches
-
C
Ford Cars
-
D
Kellogg's Corn Flakes
4
The 'Got Milk?' campaign was launched by the California Milk Processor Board in which year?
-
A
1993
-
B
1985
-
C
1999
-
D
1978
5
How many seconds long was the first official television commercial aired in the US?
-
A
10 seconds
-
B
60 seconds
-
C
30 seconds
-
D
5 seconds
6
Which company launched the famous 'Think Different' ad campaign in 1997?
-
A
Microsoft
-
B
IBM
-
C
Apple
-
D
Sony
7
In 1917, the American Association of Advertising Agencies was founded. What is its common acronym?
-
A
AAAA
-
B
AAA
-
C
4A's
-
D
A-ADS
8
What year did the first banner advertisement appear on the World Wide Web?
-
A
1994
-
B
1990
-
C
1998
-
D
2001
9
Which famous fictional character was created for the Michelin tire company in 1898?
-
A
Bibendum
-
B
Tony the Tiger
-
C
The Marlboro Man
-
D
Mr. Clean
10
The first magazine advertisement in the American colonies appeared in which publication in 1741?
-
A
The New Yorker
-
B
General Magazine
-
C
Time Magazine
-
D
Harper's Bazaar
11
In 1963, David Ogilvy published which influential book on advertising?
-
A
Confessions of an Advertising Man
-
B
Mad Men Rules
-
C
The Ad Bible
-
D
Creative Strategy
12
What company introduced the 'M&M's' slogan 'Melts in your mouth, not in your hands' in 1954?
-
A
Mars, Incorporated
-
B
Hershey's
-
C
Nestlé
-
D
Cadbury
13
In what decade did the 'Marlboro Man' campaign first appear?
-
A
1950s
-
B
1940s
-
C
1960s
-
D
1970s
14
The first newspaper advertisement in the English language was published in what year?
-
A
1625
-
B
1705
-
C
1550
-
D
1800
15
Which soft drink company debuted its first Christmas commercial featuring Santa Claus in 1931?
-
A
Pepsi
-
B
Coca-Cola
-
C
Dr Pepper
-
D
Sprite
16
What year did the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gain the power to regulate advertising to prevent deceptive practices?
-
A
1914
-
B
1938
-
C
1950
-
D
1925
17
The slogan 'Diamonds are Forever' was coined by N.W. Ayer & Son for De Beers in what year?
-
A
1947
-
B
1955
-
C
1938
-
D
1960
18
How many advertising slots are typically sold for a standard 30-second break during the Super Bowl?
-
A
2 to 4
-
B
5 to 8
-
C
10 to 12
-
D
1 to 2
19
The 'I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke' commercial first aired in what year?
-
A
1971
-
B
1965
-
C
1980
-
D
1975
20
Which agency was founded by Leo Burnett in 1935?
-
A
Leo Burnett Worldwide
-
B
Ogilvy & Mather
-
C
J. Walter Thompson
-
D
Young & Rubicam
21
In 1995, what major search engine company was founded, later revolutionizing online advertising?
-
A
Yahoo
-
B
Google
-
C
AltaVista
-
D
AskJeeves
22
The first celebrity endorsement in advertising is often attributed to which 18th-century figure?
-
A
Josiah Wedgwood
-
B
Benjamin Franklin
-
C
George Washington
-
D
Thomas Edison
23
What year did the 'Click-Through Rate' (CTR) become a standard metric for online ads?
-
A
1994
-
B
2000
-
C
1996
-
D
1988
24
How much did the first Super Bowl commercial cost in 1967?
-
A
$42,000
-
B
$10,000
-
C
$100,000
-
D
$5,000
25
The slogan 'Just Do It' for Nike was created in what year?
-
A
1988
-
B
1992
-
C
1985
-
D
1995
