Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Advertising Practice test

Who was responsible for spurring the growth of outdoor advertising?

1. A) Ben Franklin

2. B) John Hardy

3. C) T. Barnum

4. D) Paul Harvey

The correct answer is: C) T. Barnum

T. Barnum played a significant role in the growth of outdoor advertising through his innovative and theatrical approaches to marketing and promotion. Known for his showmanship and promotion of the circus, Barnum understood the power of visual appeal and public spectacle. He utilized large posters and banners to attract attention, which was a pioneering method in outdoor advertising. His strategies set a precedent for the use of eye-catching imagery and informative content that would influence advertising practices in the years to come. In contrast, while figures like Ben Franklin contributed to early advertising tactics, particularly in print, they did not specifically emphasize outdoor advertising to the extent that Barnum did. John Hardy and Paul Harvey, although influential in their roles within different industries, did not have the same direct impact on the evolution of outdoor advertising as T. Barnum did through his creative and bold marketing initiatives.