The First TV Commercial
The first TV commercial ever aired on July 1, 1941, during a baseball game featuring the Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. The ad was for Bulova watches and featured a watch face superimposed over a map of the U.S. A voiceover for the commercial said "America runs on Bulova time." The company paid $9 to run the ad.
Single Sponsor Programs
In the early years of American TV, each program would have a single sponsor, rather than an assortment of sponsors. Some of these "single sponsor" shows included "Kraft Television Theater" and the "Colgate Comedy Hour."
The first TV commercial ever aired on July 1, 1941, during a baseball game featuring the Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. The ad was for Bulova watches and featured a watch face superimposed over a map of the U.S. A voiceover for the commercial said "America runs on Bulova time." The company paid $9 to run the ad.
Single Sponsor Programs
In the early years of American TV, each program would have a single sponsor, rather than an assortment of sponsors. Some of these "single sponsor" shows included "Kraft Television Theater" and the "Colgate Comedy Hour."
The"Magazine" Concept
The so-called "magazine" concept in television advertising grew to prominence in the 1960s. In this format, as in today's TV ad world, sponsors would pay the networks for a block of time to run their advertisements. Crest, Jif and Tide all were early adopters of this type of advertising.
First British TV Commercial
The first commercial that aired in the British Isles was for Gibbs Toothpaste, who won the honor of Britain's first TV commercial in a random drawing. The ad was broadcast on September 22, 1955. The ad lasted for 60 seconds.
Famous U.S. Ad Campaigns
Throughout advertising history, some commercial catchphrases have been elevated to nationally known slogans that permeate popular culture. In the United States, some famous ad campaigns have included Wendy's "Where's the Beef?", Miller Lite's "Tastes Great, Less Filling" and Nike's "Just Do It." Characters are often associated with brands as well, in order to help make a brand more memorable. Some famous characters include Green Giant's Jolly Green Giant; the Hamm's bear; Rice Krispie's Snap, Crackle, and Pop and the Geico Gecko.
The so-called "magazine" concept in television advertising grew to prominence in the 1960s. In this format, as in today's TV ad world, sponsors would pay the networks for a block of time to run their advertisements. Crest, Jif and Tide all were early adopters of this type of advertising.
First British TV Commercial
The first commercial that aired in the British Isles was for Gibbs Toothpaste, who won the honor of Britain's first TV commercial in a random drawing. The ad was broadcast on September 22, 1955. The ad lasted for 60 seconds.
Famous U.S. Ad Campaigns
Throughout advertising history, some commercial catchphrases have been elevated to nationally known slogans that permeate popular culture. In the United States, some famous ad campaigns have included Wendy's "Where's the Beef?", Miller Lite's "Tastes Great, Less Filling" and Nike's "Just Do It." Characters are often associated with brands as well, in order to help make a brand more memorable. Some famous characters include Green Giant's Jolly Green Giant; the Hamm's bear; Rice Krispie's Snap, Crackle, and Pop and the Geico Gecko.
