Not just your attention. Advertising is designed to make the person you are envy the person you could be if you bought their product. That is, it attempts to

Not just your attention. Advertising is designed to make the person you are envy the person you could be if you bought their product. That is, it attempts to steal your satisfaction, and then offers to sell it back to you. Quoting from memory, and I don't remember who I'm quoting, so I can't give credit where due. I didn't originate the thought, or even the wording. But it has stuck with me, because it explains what so much of advertising does.