What type of marketing involves nonpersonal, paid communication to promote a product?

The correct answer is advertising, which is characterized by its nonpersonal, paid communication approach to promote products or services. Advertising is intended to reach a broad audience through various media such as television, radio, print ads, and online platforms. The key aspects of advertising include being paid for the message and conveying information to a mass audience, making it a primary method for businesses to create awareness and interest in their offerings.

This approach contrasts with sales promotion, which often includes short-term incentives to encourage the purchase of a product but is not defined by the same nonpersonal communication style. Direct marketing, on the other hand, seeks to engage directly with consumers through targeted messages, often personalized, which differentiates it from the broader reach of advertising. Lastly, public relations is focused on managing the image and communication between an organization and its publics, using earned or unpaid methods rather than providing a direct promotional message like advertising does.