They are doing exactly what they want to do.
First, it's true there is a lot of research into human motivation by the great capitalistic economic machine which drives advertising, all designed to make humans uncomfortable with themselves and attack their self esteem unless they make some particular purchase. A truly negative influence upon people and their self-worth. That's the goal.
However, not much of those awarenesses are necessarily present in every room from which an ad campaign may issue. Sometimes they go over the line, but it's best to treat the American public as stupid than smart. As they say, no one ever lost money doing that.