Final answer:
Direct marketing refers to the tailored communication of advertising or marketing materials directed to specific individuals, employing various data analytics and demographic information to create personalized campaigns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for communication that is directed to particular individuals, especially in the context of advertising or marketing, is direct marketing. This contrasts with mass communication, which is designed to reach a large audience through a variety of media channels such as television, radio, and newspapers. Unlike broadcast marketing, which is another term related to mass communication, direct marketing involves sending promotional materials directly to individual consumers based on demographic, behavior, or other targeted criteria. An example of this would be a company sending out coupons to customers who have previously purchased similar items, or email campaigns that are personalized based on the recipient's past interactions with the brand.
Technological advances have facilitated the shift from mass communication to more targeted strategies, allowing for more personalized and effective campaigns. Campaign managers and advertisers use demographic information and data analytics to prepare a mix of media strategies tailored to the behaviors and preferences of specific segments of the population, ensuring that the message reaches the right audience.