Final answer:
The type of advertising used in the introductory stage of a product's life, providing detailed information about the product class benefits, is called pioneering advertising.
Step-by-step explanation:
The form of advertising that is heavily used during the introductory stage of the product life cycle and offers consumers in-depth information about the benefits of the product class is pioneering advertising. This type of advertising is aimed at building primary demand for a new product or category.
It's a way to inform potential customers about the features, uses, and advantages of a product class, rather than focusing on a specific brand. This approach is quite different from institutional advertising, which promotes a company's image in a general way, competitive advertising, which persuades consumers to select a specific brand among several competitors, or comparative advertising, which directly compares one brand with another.
Pioneering advertising is essential in the early stages of a product's market introduction because it educates consumers about new options and helps create an initial market for a product or service.