Which term describes a paid, non-personal message conveyed through a mass medium?

The correct term for a paid, non-personal message conveyed through a mass medium is advertising. Advertising is a key component of marketing that involves promoting products, services, or ideas through various channels such as television, radio, print media, and digital platforms. The essential characteristics of advertising include the fact that it is paid for (meaning that the advertiser finances the communication) and that it is non-personal, addressing a broad audience rather than a specific individual or group.

In contrast, public relations focuses on managing the relationship between an organization and its publics without direct payment for messaging; it often involves creating a positive image and managing communications, typically through news releases and events rather than paid messages. Promotions generally refer to short-term tactics aimed at boosting sales or encouraging specific behaviors and can involve discounts, contests, or special offers. Branding is about creating a unique identity for a product or company that distinguishes it in the marketplace, which encompasses various elements like logos, colors, and messaging, but it does not directly refer to a paid communication message.