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You'd call it an ad if you saw it in any other context, so yes.

The definition of "ad" depends on context though (that's the point).

I’m sure the advertising industry has a specific term and definition for this type of ad.

On that basis, I think it falls squarely in the advertising category.

I’m sure someone that works in that industry can drop their knowledge on it.

yes exactly -- like a free sample of a snack food is an ad but not all snack foods are ads