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Commercial Television
The launch of ITV on 22 September 1955 brought advertising to the small screen. Commercial television spread rapidly across the country, inviting the salesperson into every living room.
This collection shows how some advertisers struggled to find the right voice and formats for the new medium, while others hit the ground running. Look out for rare examples of the shortlived 'admags' - banned in 1962 for blurring the distinction between programmes and adverts.
FCB TV Show No.1 FCB TV Show No.1
Advert 1955 14 mins
Dennis Price gives his best Noël Coward impersonation in an attempt to sell TV advertising to brands.
T.V. Talk - Lintas T.V. Talk - Lintas
Advert 1954 20 mins
What on earth is this commercial TV business? An advertising agency takes stock
Kelloggs Corn Flakes: Teenager Kelloggs Corn Flakes: Teenager
Advert 1957 1 mins
Teen beat commercial, directed by Joseph Losey.
Remington Four-Most Shaver Christmas Commercial Remington Four-Most Shaver Christmas Commercial
Advert 1955 1 mins
Chock-full of 60s advert nostalgia, here is the ideal Christmas gift for every lantern-jawed Dad - the Remington Four-Most electric shaver
Shippam's Pilchard fishermen at sea Shippam's Pilchard fishermen at sea
Advert 1955 0 mins
Pilchards are great but Cornish pilchards are even better - especially when they've been selected for Shippam's - as this advert lets you know
Shippam's Three Beans Shippam's Three Beans
Advert 1955 1 mins
Operatic chickens, shrimps and salmon sing-a-long with a paste pot chorus in this vibrantly animated advert for Shippam's
Bairns-Wear Wools and Woollies - For Boys and Girls Bairns-Wear Wools and Woollies - For Boys and Girls
Advert 1960 0 mins Location: Sherwood
From a smart cricket jumper to brightly coloured woollies, Bairns-Wear suits all: from birth to teenager.
At Home with Joy Shelton An Advertising Feature At Home with Joy Shelton An Advertising Feature
Advert 1955 22 mins
Wipe your feet and enter the home of actress Joy Shelton in this early ‘ad mag’.
Your Shopping Service (Fashion and Beauty) Your Shopping Service (Fashion and Beauty)
Advert 1955 27 mins
Barbara Murray deftly fends off little girls while presenting this early ‘admag’.
Heinz Soups : Tomato (No 1) Heinz Soups : Tomato (No 1)
Advert 1956 1 mins
This very early TV ad offers horticulture, a recipe and a cartoon, all wrapped up with a catchy jingle.
Chicken and Meat paste - Children's Tea Party Chicken and Meat paste - Children's Tea Party
Advert 1955 1 mins
You can feed both family and guests with Shippam's meat and fish pastes - as the voice-over in this nostalgic advert gently reminds you
Branston Pickle: Advertising Agency Branston Pickle: Advertising Agency
Advert 1957 0 mins
15 seconds isn't long, you've got to say Crosse and you've got to say Blackwell, and you've got to say Branston Pickle!
Guinness - Mr Pastry Guinness - Mr Pastry
Advert 1956 1 mins
Marvellous Mr Pastry clowns about in suitably silly style in this acrobatic mid-fifties advert for Guinness.
Heinz Baked Beans : More Beans Heinz Baked Beans : More Beans
Advert 1957 0 mins
1950s advert for that staple of the English breakfast… Heinz Baked Beans.
Guinness Samba Time Guinness Samba Time
Advert 1957 1 mins
Early Guinness television advert with the iconic toucan and a famous slogan.
Butlin's Holiday Hotels 60 Seconds Butlin's Holiday Hotels 60 Seconds
Advert 1957 1 mins
See life from a different angle with a 1950s Butlin’s seaside holiday: there’s something for the whole family.
Bairns-Wear Wools and Woollies - Miss Fay Linton Bairns-Wear Wools and Woollies - Miss Fay Linton
Advert 1958 1 mins Location: Sherwood
Fully fashioned twin-sets for the money conscious woman. Fashion advice courtesy of 'Miss Fay Linton'.
Dairy Box: Skiffle Cellar Dairy Box: Skiffle Cellar
Advert 1958 1 mins Location: York
Out goes the romantic gesture and in comes the hip as Una Stubbs and her fellow cats break open the chocolates in a groovy scene in a groovy club.
Courtaulds Reel Courtaulds Reel
Advert 1959 6 mins
“Feel terrific in Tricel.” This advertising showreel for Courtauld's fabric range offers plenty to tempt the fashion-conscious woman.
Midland Counties Ice Cream compilation Midland Counties Ice Cream compilation
Advert 1959 3 mins
A medley of frozen flavours in these early TV campaigns, thawed for your delight.
Bairns-Wear Fully Fashioned Knitwear Bairns-Wear Fully Fashioned Knitwear
Advert 1960 0 mins Location: Sherwood
Looking for matching knitwear for the whole family? Bairns-Wear is the firm to choose.
Liberty Foundations Commercial Liberty Foundations Commercial
Advert 1956 2 mins Location: Market Harborough
Liberté, égalité and fraternité in corsets, girdles and bras.
Buzby - Gossip Buzby - Gossip
Advert 1979 1 mins
Buzby’s mum gossips with her neighbours over a garden fence in this cartoon ad for BT.
Buzby - Plumber Buzby - Plumber
Advert 1978 1 mins
Oh Cribbins! BT’s avian mascot wasn’t looking to wet his beak.
Buzby - Snowman Buzby - Snowman
Advert 1978 1 mins
Cartoon advert for BT that will have you walking in the air.
Buzby - Scrapyard Buzby - Scrapyard
Advert 1979 1 mins
Remember Buzby? This TV ad for telephone services features two faithful old friends and some slick character animation.