The History of Advertising Podcast

The golden age of British advertising was more than just Mad Men and liquid lunches. Every week, the History of Advertising podcast reveals the stories behind the nation’s most celebrated adverts.

The Future of Advertising

On the series finale of The History of Advertising Podcast, we ask each of our contributors to talk about what will be, and what should be in the future of adland. Featuring contributions from Rosie Arnold, Trevor Robinson OBE, Richard Brim, Lord Christopher Smith and Guy Parker. 

05-02
11:35

Embrace the Silly

If in doubt, always add children or rapping farmers to your ads. On this episode, we look back at two sensationally silly and devastatingly effective campaigns from Yeo Valley and Haribo - featuring contributions from Rosie Arnold and Trevor Robinson OBE. 

03-28
11:00

Create Not Hate

On this episode of the History of Advertising Podcast, we're looking at Create Not Hate - an organisation founded to increase diversity in advertising, which redoubled its efforts following the killing of George Floyd. Featuring contributions from Trevor Robinson OBE. 

02-27
09:41

The Tango Slap

Some ads promise you products that will make you skip down the street and sing with the birds. Others promise nothing but a slap in the face. On this episode, we look at anti-advertising ads - 'Sorry I Spent it on Myself' and 'You Know When You've Been Tango'd'. Featuring contributions from Richard Brim and Trevor Robinson OBE. 

01-23
11:40

The Most John Lewis Time of Year

On this episode, we’re tackling the big one – the John Lewis Christmas ads. For many people, the unveiling of the John Lewis ad now heralds the beginning of Christmas, and on this episode we’re taking a closer look at what it takes to produce them. Featuring contributions from Richard Brim and Rosie Arnold. 

11-13
11:39

The Advertising Gatekeepers

Misleading, deceitful, and just plain offensive ads - who's responsible for making sure that we see as few of these as possible? On this episode,  we are taking a closer look at the ASA - the Advertising Standards Authority. Featuring contributions from Guy Parker and Lord Christopher Smith.  

10-17
12:03

How Nice, You Noticed My Breasts

Maltesers and the menopause, deodorant and detailing what happens after one-night stands. On this episode, we are looking at pioneering ads which have changed the conversation around gender and stereotypes. Featuring contributions from Rosie Arnold. 

09-26
10:31

The Problem with Sexy Stockings

Recently, the ASA introduced a ban on gender stereotypes in ads. On this episode, we look at why this had to be introduced, and how it’s affected the creative landscape. Featuring contributions from Guy Parker and Rosie Arnold. 

09-26
10:10

What makes a great ad?

Who knows? Well, hopefully, Sir Frank Lowe, Jeremy Bullmore, Dave Trott, Rory Sutherland, and Hugh Hudson have some idea. 

03-15
11:34

US vs UK

The Brits might not like to admit it, but the golden age of UK advertising owes a great debt to American influences. Featuring contributions from Sir Alan Parker, Judie Lannon and Dave Trott, we unpack the differences and similarities between the UK and US advertisers. 

02-15
11:52

The Rise of the Internet

On this industry insight episode of the History of Advertising Podcast, we are looking at the rise of the internet, and how it’s affected adland. With contributions from Rory Sutherland, Judie Lannon, Martin Boase, Dave Trott, and Brian Palmer. 

01-18
12:25

Managing Creativity

Adland's most valuable assets go out of the building at the end of every working day. In this episode, we hear how Dave Trott.and Sir Frank Lowe managed their creative teams, and the lessons agency leaders can take from their differing approaches. 

12-22
11:37

Do you need to do your research?

Does research help, or hinder creativity? Sir Frank Lowe recalls the successful Heineken campaign that would have never been made, if they had listened to the research. Meanwhile, Judie Lannon and Jeremy Bullmore explore how research can inspire great ads - but only if the right models are used. 

11-16
10:29

Directing the Golden Age

“A director must be a policeman, a midwife, a psychoanalyst, a sycophant and a bastard.” On this episode of the history of advertising podcast, we are taking a closer look at the policemen, midwives, psychoanalysts and sycophantic bastards – as we look at the role that the director plays in bringing TV ads together. Contributions from Sir Alan Parker, Hugh Hudson, Brian Palmer, and Jeremy Bullmore.

09-27
11:59

The Rise of Commercial TV

Starting with the first TV ad ever broadcast in the UK, we continue our look at the rise of commercial TV in the UK. We see how the medium evolved from its uninspiring beginnings, when directors and writers started focusing on producing ads that were just as good as the TV shows themselves. Contributions from Sir Alan Parker, Brian Palmer, and Jeremy Bullmore.

08-16
12:29

Too vulgar for the British

On this episode of the History of Advertising Podcast we look at how commercial TV came into being as a medium, the effect that it had on the world of advertising, and why it was initially seen as being too vulgar for the British. Contributions from Brian Palmer, Jeremy Bullmore, and Rory Sutherland. 

07-20
10:02

Flogging an unfashionable horse

On this episode of the history of advertising podcast, we look at a range of distinctly unfashionable products, and how creatives have gone about advertising them. We’ll be looking at everything from tobacco to the powdered mashed potato – as we uncover what it takes to successfully flog an unfashionable horse. Contributions from Jeremy Bullmore,  Jeremy Sinclair, Martin Boase and Dave Trott 

06-15
11:06

The Kipling Conspiracy

Mr Kipling never existed, neither did Ted Baker or Aunt Bessie. In this episode, featuring contributions from Judie Lannon, Rory Sutherland, and Jeremy Bullmore, we explore the difference between brand and product - as well as what exactly goes into creating a brand's personality.  

05-18
10:56

The Turd that Changed the World

What do Bob Hoskins, Ken Livingstone, and an oversized turd have in common? On this episode we hear from adland legend Dave Trott, as he recalls his campaign to cancel the third world debt.

05-21
11:06

The Illegal Campaign

"It's naughty, it's troublesome, it's illegal - all the reasons we're supposed to be creative." Hear about Dave Trott's illegal campaign to get UK banks to cancel the third world debt, and how Jeremy Sinclair used an image of a pregnant man to promote safe sex. 

05-14
09:49

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