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by shortformblog 3479 days ago
The thing is, though, "creatives" don't always mean "ads" in this sector. "Creatives" can mean articles, or infographics, or illustrations. It basically draws attention to the fact that an "idea person" created the item. Limiting it to "ads" is a very narrow definition.

You're overthinking it. It's not akin to saying "electronic computer program"; it's akin to a programmer saying "code" as opposed to "software" or "an app." It's a building block, just as a piece of software often requires front-end and back-end development, the "ad" is in reference to both the creative element on its own and the mechanism that puts it there.

1 comments

Oh, I thought where you wrote,

>I work in marketing, "creative" is used for pretty much any kind of ad/marketing product while in the production process.

that it was limited to ads. I didn't realize it would also be used for other things.

> the "ad" is in reference to both the creative element on its own and the mechanism that puts it there.

This is interesting, thanks. But what I was trying to get at, is to make sure you guys aren't confusing each other, are you careful to use 'creative' instead of 'ad' (since the latter can include the mechanism)? Or is this not a distinction you're careful about?

I'll give you an example - programmers are careful to say "binary" or "executable" if they want to talk about the program as compiled as opposed to as written (source code).

so is "creative" also something that you would use to be careful to distinguish the "creative element on its own" as opposed to the mechanism?

It sounds like your answer is yes, that's correct - I'd just like to get a confirmation.

Not OP but yes, the creative refers to something like a jpg or a video. The creative could be used in an ad, or a blog post, or an email, etc.
Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Thanks.