Advertisement is a service industry and one of the most glamorous and growing industries in the world. It is the means of influencing the public; in general, turning them in to consumers of the products and services you are trying to market, through messages that can be visual, oral or both. The basic purpose of advertising is to create awareness about the product and services, to make Public relation and create a positive image of a company and to educate and influence social attitude about the product and services and on matters of general concern through public interest campaigns initiated by government or private organizations. Advertising is one aspect in Mass Communication and is integrally linked with marketing and public relations.

Eligibility for most of the advertising postgraduate courses is graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 50 percent marks. Admission to most of these courses is based on an entrance exam or interview. Some colleges also offer BA courses in advertising, for which they need students who have cleared class XII.

Due to growing economic liberalization and the changing trends in society, advertising industry has gained tremendous growth trajectory. Advertising offers a range of lucrative and attractive careers. Functionally, it can be categorized into Creative and Executive.The main areas of work in the advertising field are Client Servicing, Creative Department, Media Department, Production, Television and Film, Photography, Market Research, Exhibition and Event Management, Graphic and Design, Retail , Marketing, Promotion and Direct Marketing . Career opportunities in advertising include openings in private advertising agencies; advertising department in private or public sector companies; in advertising sections of newspapers, journals, magazines; commercial section of radio or television; market research organizations etc. One can also do freelancing. Advertising industry offers a very attractive remuneration and perks. Many successful Ad professionals draw salaries in excess of a lakh per month, in addition to various yearly performance incentives. Though, fresh graduates can expect a salary ranging between 9000 and 15000 INR per month. This is the approximate start off configuration and the remuneration is supposed to undergo accelerating increment with experience and expertise.

Some of Institutions offering courses in Advertising and Mass Communications in India are:

1. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kasthurba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi - 1
2. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kulapati K.M.Munshi Marg, Chowpatty, Mumbai - 600 007
3. Bhavan's Harilal Bhagvati College of Mass Communications, Race Course Road, Bangalore - 560 001
4. Bhavan's Institute of Communications and Management, FA/111 Salt Lake City, Calcutta - 770 064
5. Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, JNU New Campus, New Delhi - 110 067
6. Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, Mumbai - 76
7. Mass communications Research Centre, Jamia Milia Islamia, Jamianagar, New Delhi - 110 025
8. Mudra Institute of Communications (MICA), Shela, Ahmedabad - 58
9. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai - 400 056
10. Siddharth College of Communications, D.N.Road, Mumbai - 1
11. Somaiya College of Arts, Chowpatty, Mumbai - 7
12. Sophia College, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai - 400 026
13. University of Mumbai's Garware Institute of Career Education and Development, Kalina Campus, Santa Cruz (East), Mumbai-8