The Myth of 5,000 Ad Messages

“You’ve seen this number before: an average American consumer today is exposed to — or “bombarded by”, or ‘inundated with’ — 5,000 advertising messages a day. This number finds its way into slide decks, it peppers newspaper articles, and it is quoted in academic papers.

You probably used it at least once. I know I did. Only today, I realized I had no idea where this number was coming from.”