Which of these best defines 'execution' in advertising?

Execution in advertising refers to the specific methods employed to communicate a campaign's message effectively. This includes the various approaches and styles used in delivering the message, such as the visuals, language, and overall creative elements that come together to form an ad.

In this context, variations used to convey a campaign message serves as a crucial component because it encapsulates how different creative executions can target specific audiences while remaining aligned with the overarching campaign idea. The choice of varying creative formats—like different images, taglines, or media types—directly influences how well the advertising resonates with the target audience and reinforces the overall campaign objectives.

The other options, while key components of the advertising process, do not accurately represent the concept of "execution." Developing an ad budget pertains to financial planning, final product design relates to the product itself rather than the messaging, and selecting a target audience focuses on demographic and psychographic characteristics rather than the creative messaging being conveyed. Therefore, the emphasis on variations for conveying a campaign message distinctly aligns with the definition of execution in the advertising context.