---
title: "History of advertising: from origins to the digital era"
description: "From the ancient poster to digital advertising: the major stages in the history of advertising, its pioneers and the evolution of agencies."
url: "https://publicitefrance.com/en/blog/histoire-de-la-publicite/"
lang: en
translated_from: "https://publicitefrance.com/blog/histoire-de-la-publicite/"
category: "History"
publisher: "PubliCité France"
updated: "2026-08-02"
keywords: ["history of advertising", "evolution of advertising", "origins of advertising", "birth of advertising"]
sources:
  - "https://www.tangram-lab.fr/2020/05/20/retracer-lhistoire-des-agences-de-publicite-pour-mieux-comprendre-son-evolution/"
  - "https://madparis.fr/chronologie"
---

# History of advertising: from origins to the digital era

**In short:** advertising is far older than modern brands. From the ancient street cry to the algorithm, it followed technical revolutions — printing, press, radio, television, internet — keeping one engine: capturing attention to prompt action.

## Before modern advertising
From Antiquity, people "advertise" out loud in markets, engrave signs, post notices. But advertising in the modern sense is born of two conditions: **mass distribution** (printing, then the press) and a **market economy**. In the 19th century, the rise of newspapers opens a paid space: the **réclame**.

## The birth of agencies
The first **advertising agency** appears in the United States: in **1841**, Volney B. Palmer opens in Philadelphia an office that sells newspaper ad space. We're still far from creativity: the agency is first a **space broker**. Then the craft structures — **J. Walter Thompson (JWT)** is often cited as the first "modern" agency, offering advertisers a full service (designing and placing ads).

## The golden age and the creative revolution
In the 20th century, advertising becomes an industry. In the US, **Madison Avenue** (in New York) becomes the sector's symbol. In the 1950s-60s, a **creative revolution** puts the idea at the centre: the agency **DDB**, with Bill Bernbach, leaves a mark (notably the Volkswagen "Think Small" campaign). Advertising stops being a mere pitch and becomes an art of the hook.

## French advertising
In France, the sector organises too. **Publicis** is founded in **1926** by **Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet**, aged just 20 — the name is said to be a contraction of "publicité" and "six". With **Havas** (whose roots go back to the 19th century), France builds groups that would become global giants.

## From TV to digital
Radio, then **television**, offer mass audiences: this is the era of the spot and the slogan. Then the **internet** upends everything: targeting, data, measurement, interactivity. Advertising moves from "one message for all" to "the right message, to the right person, at the right moment" — up to today's AI and short video.

## FAQ
**What is the first advertising agency?**
In the US, Volney B. Palmer's agency (1841) is considered the first; it mainly sold newspaper space. J. Walter Thompson is seen as the first "modern" agency in the sense of a full service.

**When was advertising born in France?**
The réclame develops from the 19th century with the press. The sector structures in the 20th century, notably with the founding of Publicis in 1926.

**What are advertising's major stages?**
Printed réclame (19th c.), agencies and golden age (20th c.), radio then television, and finally the digital revolution (data, targeting, AI).

## Sources
- Tangram Lab — history of advertising agencies: https://www.tangram-lab.fr/2020/05/20/retracer-lhistoire-des-agences-de-publicite-pour-mieux-comprendre-son-evolution/
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD) — advertising chronology: https://madparis.fr/chronologie

---
*PubliCité France — blog, History. French version: /blog/histoire-de-la-publicite/*