Public service advertising refers to the advertising that is done with the non-profit motive. Such advertising is generally undertaken with the motive of public service in mind. The advertisements that are prepared for this purpose are called public service advertisements.

Public service advertisements are generally prepared for the purpose of increasing awareness of the general public regarding health and safety issues, conservation of nature and wild life and other areas of public interest. Another major reason behind the preparation of public service advertisements is to inform people about the steps to be taken in case of an emergency such as a cyclone or an earthquake. Public service advertisements can also be made to inculcate family values, to stop the youth from joining gangs, or for any other purpose for the betterment of the society in general.

Usually public service advertisements are prepared through collaboration between private advertising agencies and government agencies or non-profit organizations. It is generally the government agency or the non-profit organization which provides the subject matter of advertisement, while the advertising agency develops the concept creatively, undertakes planning and execution of the same. The advertising agency might provide its services free of cost or at subsidized rates.

Public service advertisements are usually broadcasted on the television or on the radio. Such ads are commonly known as PSAs in the advertising world. They are called Public Service Announcements in USA and Public Information Films in the UK. The other terms commonly used for public service advertising are non-commercial advertising, public interest advertising, public service advertising, cause-related advertising, issue advertising, public education campaigns and social marketing.

Some common examples of public service advertisements in India are ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara’, ‘School Chalein Hum’ and ‘Ek Titli, anek titliyan’ among others. In USA, the ‘Smokey Bear’ advertisement for wild life conservation, the ‘Fried Egg’ advertisement for preventing drug abuse and the ‘Crying Indian’ advertisement for cleanliness became hugely popular. Similarly the ‘Charley Says’ series in the UK was a very popular public service advertisement.

The message in public service advertisements is usually crisp and very clear. Sometimes, in order to make the advertisement more effective, the help of a celebrity is sought. For instance, Amitabh Bacchhan and Shahrukh Khan campaigning the Polio eradication campaign in India.

The Red Cross, the American Cancer Society and other large non-profit organizations buy advertising space for their campaigns. However, smaller organisations that cannot afford to do so use the free or subsidized space provided by the media for such advertisements.