Is advertising a fixed cost expense?

Yes. Variable costs are those that respond directly and proportionately to changes in activity level or volume, such as raw materials, hourly wages and commissions, utilities, inventory, office supplies, and packaging, mailing, and shipping costs. Since advertising does not, it is fixed. Some fixed costs are at the discretion of management, meaning business will not stop if you do not incur these costs (though it may suffer). Such costs include advertising. Other fixed costs are not avoidable, such as electricity.