Opinions are divided on whether it is true that the main purpose of advertising is to encourage unnecessary spending. I am of the opinion that, although advertising may indeed promote such behavior, I think such effects are short-lived.

Admittedly, advertising does play a role in impulse purchases, as many marketing strategies are designed to trigger viewers' emotions, such as fear of missing out. For example, fast fashion brands frequently set trends among young consumers by featuring celebrities in their commercials, which encourages the youth to habitually seek out the latest items and fads to keep up with their peers. (ANTITHESIS) However, a product must offer genuine value or solve a real problem for it to transition from a one-time purchase to sustainable sales. A case in point would be  Google Glass, which, despite being promoted as groundbreaking wearable technology, suffered from a swift decline in interest due to the lack of practical applications for the average consumer, ultimately leading Google to discontinue the product.

I believe the main purposes of advertising are to promote brand loyalty and differentiate a product from its competitors. Firstly, advertising often focuses on building an emotional connection with the audience, as telling stories that resonate with the values and experiences of their target consumers helps foster a sense of loyalty. For example, Cocoon, a popular skincare brand in Vietnam, consistently associates itself with cruelty-free and vegan practices in its advertising campaigns, which attracts and retains young Vietnamese customers, who tend to prioritize these values. As far as competitiveness is concerned, advertising is crucial for a brand to distinguish itself in markets filled with similar products and services. For instance, Volvo has firmly established itself in the automotive market through its advertisements that highlight the brand's commitment to safety features and innovations.

In short, while advertising may contribute to impulsive purchases of unnecessary items, I believe it is overly simplistic to refer to that as its primary objective. I contend that developing brand awareness and standing out from competition are long-term goals of sustainable marketing strategies. (340 words)

 (vocabulary || paraphrasing)