The opposite side of this is people that think ads are the worst things ever. I really don't understand what the big deal is. It's not like a random ad is going to brainwash me into buying something I never wanted in the first place. Ads being too distracting (e.g. flashing, videos) and a malware source is a different story though.
Absolutely they do, that's their entire purpose. It has various names such as 'acquired need', a prime example that gained universal acceptance being fabric conditioner.
Sugared water is another prime example, I'm sure you can name some brands and mentally picture their bottles lying in a bed of ice cubes.
http://www.worldcat.org/title/four-arguments-for-the-elimina...
(Mander was himself an ad executive.)
Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death and Technopoly
http://www.worldcat.org/title/amusing-ourselves-to-death-pub...
http://www.worldcat.org/title/technopoly-the-surrender-of-cu...
Adam Curtis, The Century of the Self
http://www.worldcat.org/title/century-of-the-self/oclc/86087...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ3RzGoQC4s
While we're at it, A Thousand Clowns
http://www.worldcat.org/title/thousand-clowns/oclc/748574510...
Billy Corgan Warns of Weaponized Zombies - Full Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojAXUqL--mY
Though you create the opportunity to mention that there is a non batshit-insane lying-for-attention Alex Jones out there worth reading: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Jones_(journalist)