Advertising, since its inception in the 18th Century, has remained the best way of communicating to customers since the art helps inform clients about product brands available in the market.
It has survived over time as it serves the old, youth and children. In today's age of cutthroat competition in business, advertising plays an important role in the development of commerce.
It has remained a necessity in today's day-to-day life be it for customers or traders.
It is against this backdrop that Hivisasa recently embarked on a journey that it anticipates will help grow businesses.
The company launched the Hivisasa Biashara Magazine, an advertising platform through which businesses can place adverts and reach out to a wider customer base.
The magazine, which currently circulates in the counties of Uasin Gishu, Nakuru and Kisumu, is given out free.
So why did Hivisasa launch such a product with advertising space?
According to Jetlak Foods Ltd Sales Manager in charge of Western Kenya Salim Opere, advertising has evolved over time to become a necessity for everyone's life especially customers.
"Customers are the people who buy products and they can only do this if they are made aware of the products available in the market," Mr Opere said of the first edition of the Hivisasa Biashara magazine launched in Uasin Gishu.
Jetlak, a company he works for, was among businesses that advertised in the free magazine that has been in the market for the last six months.
"The magazine enabled customers know about the existence of our products and we are happy. Through that edition, we managed to get new clients. People who received a copy of the magazine came to know about Jetlak and its products."
His sentiments were re-echoed by Lorna Gaye, the marketing manager at Home and Gardens.
Although she says it took time before the business received clients, she is happy customers made way to Home and Gardens' shop and placed orders for the various products they deal in.
"Customers buy products only after they have been made ware of," she said in an interview.
"If the product is not advertised, no customer will know what products are available in the market."
"I honour Hivisasa Biashara Magazine for providing a platform for us to make the availability of our product known. I anticipate more people will shop with us."
The good thing with advertising is that it helps people find the best products for themselves.
"When people get to know about the range of products one retails, they are able to compared the products and buy what they desire," MIMI Africana Executive Director Ruth Wamboi said.
She said less than a week after her company placed an advert in the Hivisasa Biashara Magazine, clients were calling inquiring on products MIMI Africana retails.
She said her decision to advertise and inform prospective clients of the products she markets increased her sales.
"Yes, advertising plays a critical role for the producers and the sellers of the products, because advertising helps increase sales," she said.
Her company, based in Nairobi, mainly deals in African wears, including clothes, shoes, jewelry among other products.
David Ayiecho, the Sales Manager at Moran Publishers and Edward Odoyo, the Director, Kisumu Dental Centre also said the Hivisasa Biashara Magazine is a medium that helps businesses thrive.
"We already have a number of clients who came to know about Moran Publishers through the publication," Mr Odoyo said.
"Any company that intends to introduce a new product in the market should know that advertising will make a ground for the product."