STARRING A BANDICOOT, A PLUMBER, A DECEASED FOOTBALLER OR AN ANONYMOUS HERO. VIDEO GAMES AND TELEVISION ADVERTISING HAVE EXISTED HAND IN HAND FOR YEARS

7. 9. 2023 It’s time to flip the calendar to September. This means both the children returning to school and settling into a standard work setup after a perhaps more relaxed holiday regime. But at the same time, the main video game season traditionally kicks off - and 2023 promises to be the most packed since the pre-covid years. That means we will be seeing a hefty dose of marketing presentation, too. When video games are concerned, it goes without saying that originality, freshness, and creativity are what matters most in related campaigns and ads. This is not just theory but practice, which many studies have confirmed for decades. What games have been preceded by a launch of such magnitude that brands in other industries can only quietly envy them? Take a look at a selection of the top TV ads from this specific industry. MORTAL KOMBAT – MORTAL MONDAY (1992) Talking about video game history in the context of games does not make much sense in the age of remasters and remakes. On 14 September (a date specially chosen to reflect the release date of the original MK), we will see the remake of Mortal Kombat, the game that helped define the popular fighting arcade genre in the 1990s and gave birth to a franchise that, alongside Tekken, which was based on similar principles, continues to set the course for this type of games. No one doubts that the anticipated remake will be as fatal as the original 1992 game. The original marketing is to some extent followed by the one from 2023, but back then the developers from Midway Games did without the star cast of Dave Bautista in the lead role. The original ad depicts a battle frenzy in the streets on a normal Monday. Thanks to this presentation, the Mortal Kombat battle cry has caught on and was enshrined forever in the video game hall of fame. But what is important is that the entire presentation feels triumphant - even though at the time, no one yet knew how substantial and influential MK would become. But this lack of self-awareness also reflects to some extent the identity of the game itself, including many of its protagonists. And it is a foundation from which the series has not budged an inch to date.

TV ADVERTISING IN THE PHILIPPINES: CATCHY SONGS, HUMOUR AND STORIES REFLECTING THE LIVES OF ISLANDERS

6. 9. 2023 The Philippine advertising scene is as diverse as the 7,641 islands that make up the archipelago. There are more than 80 different - still living - languages and dialects. The market is a mix of diverse cultures influenced by traditional and western practices, making advertising in the Philippines a truly unique adventure. Welcome to the colourful realm of television advertising in the Philippines. A BIT OF HISTORY Television was introduced in the Philippines by Judge Antonio Quirino, younger brother of former President Elpidio Quirino, on 23 October 1953. Imported television advertisements were used until 1960. The first local television advert aired in 1960 was for Tide washing powder. In 1966, when Philippine television switched from black-and-white to colour, the first colour television ad also appeared, with the first advertiser being Colgate-Palmolive.

TV ADVERTISING IN BRAZIL: SEDUCTIVE FEMALE BODIES, DIVINE PELÉ, AND CARNIVAL IN A HIGHLY CREATIVE PACKAGE

29. 8. 2023 Brazilians are creative, sensual, musical and are known for their good mood. No wonder their love of life and cheerful nature are mirrored in their advertisements. They are a reflection of the local people, their behaviour and their lives.

MIRACLES HAPPEN WHEN YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. THAT GOES DOUBLE FOR BARBIE FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY

24. 8. 2023 The summer of 2023 is marked by "pink madness". Thanks to a hugely successful blockbuster movie, Barbie doll is making a comeback with all the pomp and circumstance. But the movie is not just a fairy tale with a message for adults. From the first to the last minute, Barbie is filled with references to the real history of the Barbie product line and its creators at the multinational toy corporation Mattel. A closer look at the mark Barbie has left in the world of marketing and television advertising for more than 60 years makes it clear that Barbie is a pop culture phenomenon that is also an integral part of the mainly American cultural identity. What makes the story of Barbie marketing so unique and worthy of emulation?

SWEDISH TV ADVERTISING: THE LONGEST ADVERTISING SERIES AND A FOCUS ON GENDER EQUALITY AND CHILD PROTECTION

20. 8. 2023 Where can you find an alcohol ad that discourages drinking? In sweden, of course! This country is just perfectly doing things its own way. Viewers had to wait a long time for tv advertising. But the swedes have quickly caught up and their ads are among the world’s best. The beginnings of TV broadcasting in Sweden and delayed TV advertising The birth of television broadcasting in Sweden dates back to 1956, when the first television station TV1 was established. In 1966, the first testing colour broadcasts were run, and in 1970 regular colour broadcasting was launched. For a long time, there was only one television channel. TV2 was launched in December 1969, and only a few months later broadcasting in colour started. The full-screen commercial TV4 was launched in 1992.

TELEVISION ADVERTISING IN MALAYSIA: A SIMPLE PRESENTATION BUT A POWERFUL, EMOTIONAL STORY

15. 8. 2023 Malaysia, with its multicultural environment and ethnic diversity, is a uniquely cosmopolitan country that manages to bring together diverse communities through shared forms of art and culture. All Malaysians place great emphasis on the values associated with the Malaysian lifestyle and therefore celebrate all festivals exuberantly. For example, the Hari Raya holiday could easily be compared with the American Super Bowl in terms of television advertising. Those who do not advertise during Hari Raya seem to be invisible. History of television broadcasting in Malaysia The television industry is a multi-billion-dollar business in Malaysia. Television has long been one of the most important media there. Malaysian television broadcasting was first launched on 28 December 1963. It was a single, black-and-white network known as Rangkaian Pertama (Channel One in English). Six years later, at the end of 1969, Rangkaian Dua (Channel Two in English) was launched, providing information, entertainment, and education.

PRINCE HARRY, JAMES BOND, AND PADDINGTON BEAR. THEY WERE ALL LUCKY ENOUGH TO APPEAR IN TV SPOTS ALONGSIDE ELIZABETH II

10. 8. 2023 When the British queen Elizabeth II died last autumn, it affected the whole world. Both those who loved the queen and those who see the British monarchy as a relic of the 19th century. To some extent, this is due to the fact that the queen and her family are not only political actors but also (and perhaps above all) part of global pop culture. Elizabeth II was also aware of this specific role during her lifetime, and she did not hesitate to engage in several marketing activities to promote events that were important to Great Britain. However, marketing and the british royal family are not exactly concepts that necessarily go hand in hand. If you are a traditional manufacturing or distribution company, you are probably not going to get the official royal stamp in your presentation. But there are options - official ones and less so. But you must always remember that you are teetering on the edge, with only one thing setting the basic direction - strict rules. RULES, RULES, AND MORE RULES First of all, it is good to remember that even a simple mention of any member of the royal family or a significant event is not a commonplace for marketers. Of course, many of them would like to add a touch of formality to their product, and references to the ruling family or symbols of the British monarchy are more suited to this than anything else. But as has been said, it is not that simple - no member of the royal family can be mentioned or shown in any marketing campaign without prior approval. The only exceptions to this are incidental mentions that are not directly related to the product being advertised and mentions in books, articles, films or other sources associated with that person. But even this is not a 100% rule.

TV ADVERTISING IN NEW ZEALAND: EMPHASIS ON NATIONAL IDENTITY AND PROMOTION OF MAORI CULTURE

9. 8. 2023 Would you like English or Maori? In a country with the Maori name Aotearoa, which means “land of the long white cloud”, you can choose. New Zealand’s ads focus on national identity, are heartfelt and reflect the kiwis, Their character, and their unique world.

TV ADVERTISING IN INDIA: BOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES EARN MORE FROM ADVERTISING THAN FROM FILMING

3. 8. 2023 The world’s second largest TV market. A country where advertising is based on celebrities, who are looked up to as deities. Where the most common language is English, but many population groups don’t speak it. Where, despite the prevalence of vegetarians and sanctity of the cow, the McDonald’s brand has caught on. A country where the chosen ones live in modern western-style residencies, brimming with luxury, but those born in the “wrong” caste survive in shacks in abject poverty. This is India, a land of contrasts. Let’s see what specifics define Indian advertising. IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS CLOTHING The very first black and white television advertisement in India was aired on January 1, 1976 (some sources say 1978) and it was for Gwalior Suitings garments. Unfortunately, the footage is not available. However, this is not true of the first colour advertisement. The colour spot, which lasted a full 100 seconds, is highly reminiscent of a Bond parody. It concentrates everything you might think of in connection with an action movie (in this case, an ad) - knife throwing, leopard, python, swords, shooting, murder, kidnapping, helicopter, sensuality, suspense, speedboat. It would probably make Agent 007's own chin drop:

TV ADVERTISING IN JAPAN: ECCENTRIC SPOTS FULL OF CELEBRITIES, ANIME AND FANTASY – COLOURFUL, CRAZY, FUN – AND COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

27. 7. 2023 Japanese TV commercials are so quirky they are a world unto themselves. And they’re so famous that they’ve even been parodied in the Simpsons series. But as well as being noisy and colorful, they also offer a glimpse into the Japanese soul. They reflect traditional Japanese culture and a deep respect for consumers.

SPORT AND SOCIAL ISSUES: TV ADVERTISING IN GERMANY TAKES A MORE SERIOUS TURN

24. 7. 2023 Not only discipline and organization, but also a specific humor, a love of sport and, above all, an intrinsic need to solve social problems. All of this is reflected in the German ads, which react very sensitively and emotionally to the current difficult situation and interpersonal relationships.

THE DRIEST HUMOR, THE MOST TOUCHING STORIES AND THE BEST CHRISTMAS COMMERCIALS. THAT’S TV ADVERTISING IN THE UK

12. 7. 2023 UK TV spots are winning awards around the worlds. And rightfully so. British creatives are pouring out some interesting ideas and are able to play both the poignant and the humorous notes. This is evidenced by the large number of awards that British brands took home from this year’s Cannes Lions 2023 International Festival of Creativity.

DISCOVER HOW YOUR BRAND’S STORYTELLING TRANSFORMS ITS POSITIONING.

9. 7. 2023 Every brand has a story to tell — a narrative that breathes life into its purpose, values, and aspirations. In the realm of brand positioning, this narrative becomes the driving force behind success. It holds the key to connecting with consumers, establishing a unique position in the market, and leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of its audience.

TV ADVERTISING IN THE USA: HUMOUR, CELEBRITIES AND THE SUPER BOWL

4. 7. 2023 Nearly 124 million TV households, more than 14,000 advertising agencies, tens of billions of dollars invested in broadcast advertising, and the Super Bowl as a gold mine for TV spots. The USA just thinks big. Let us take a look at TV advertising in the United States in the past and today. Do you know what works for american viewers?

COMING UP WITH A TV AD BASED ON A JOKE IS NOT EASY. THE MARKETING BATTLE IS FOUGHT OVER THE BEST POSSIBLE PUNCHLINE

3. 7. 2023 The first of July is a symbolic date for several reasons. It is, of course, the first day of the summer holidays, an event that is awaited with great anticipation by schoolchildren and with less enthusiasm by their parents. But the first of July is also the international joke day, so we hope you remembered to have a good laugh this past weekend. If you did not, maybe you will with one of the ads that are universally appreciated for their ingenious, witty and well-constructed punchlines. Whether you are fans of sarcastic humour, cruel jokes, absurdity taken to extremes, or hilarious paradoxes and contradictions, the world of TV advertising has something in store for everyone! Diet Pepsi – Could I Borrow a Diet Pepsi? (1986) What would not a man do to please an attractive neighbour who comes to his apartment for a Diet Pepsi? The legendary escapade of Michael J. Fox, who was at the height of his fame in the 1980s not only thanks to his role as Marty McFly in Back to the Future, may be familiar to Czech viewers who have come to love the satirical TV show Česká soda. The punchline of the joke is the same in both cases. Fox, of course, has drunk all the Diet Pepsi, which he is certainly not about to admit. He is thus able to do practically anything to get the lady her coveted soft drink. Not a window ledge, rescue ladders, or the street during rush hour can stop him. When he triumphantly returns with a bottle of Diet Pepsi, he thinks he has scored. But it would not be a proper joke without a final twist. Presently, an equally attractive roommate of the first visitor who shares her fondness for Diet Pepsi comes to the apartment. For Michael J. Fox, this undoubtedly means another dangerous quest for the holy grail of soft drinks.

FROM NEW YORK TO MANILA: TV ADVERTISING AROUND THE WORLD

1. 7. 2023 The summer season is here together with the time to fulfil the desire to explore mysterious distant places, new cultures and customs. For most people, summer is a time when the gateway to a world of experiences far beyond our everyday lives opens. We do not stay at home either. In our summer series of articles, we will travel around the world to explore TV advertising and its specifics in different countries to get inspired by original approaches to creating TV ads that can bring new, uncommon creative elements to our own campaigns.

GREASE CELEBRATES FORTY-FIVE YEARS. HOW HAS THE ICONIC MUSICAL MADE ITS MARK IN THE HISTORY OF TV ADVERTISING AND WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

16. 6. 2023 On 16 June, the american musical Grease will celebrate its 45th anniversary. Although it is a film that is the epitome of american pop culture of that time, after its release in cinemas, it won fans all over the world, including the Czech republic. And what is even more extraordinary - the strength of the fan base continues to grow today. So it is no wonder that when T-mobile decided to reminisce about this popular musical at this year’s Super Bowl, it received enthusiastic reactions and discussions about what is next for Grease. Can appropriately targeted marketing herald the revival of an unforgettable phenomenon in this situation? And what about the legacy of Grease in the marketing world - are companies trying to make the most of it?

MILAN ŠTEINDLER, THE ICON OF CZECH PROVOCATIVE ADVERTISING

6. 6. 2023 The Czech humorist was born in Prague in 1957. He is a well-known comedian who firstly became famous mainly for his acting roles. You may know him for example from the films Kopytem sem, kopytem tam, Vrát se do hrobu, Díky za každé nové ráno or from the series Česká soda. He is also a co-founder of the Sklep Theatre. However, he is also no stranger to the world of advertising - he works as a screenwriter and director. He studied directing at FAMU in Prague. However, during his studies he already worked at the Barrandov Film Studios as an assistant director. He has many successful TV commercials to his credit. For example, he is behind the spots for Fidorka or the campaigns for the CLEVER brand, where he presents effective scientific experiments. He is also the author of the children series Z deníku žáka 3.B aneb Edudant a Francimor. His work is characterized by a humorous touch and tends towards recession and light provocation. FIDORKA AND MISCHIEF Milan Šteindler has directed several spots for the Fidorka brand. Despite the fact that, as usual, they were mainly based on exaggeration and humour, these were not among the most provocative and were accepted by the Czech audience - both laymen and professional - without protest, unlike other films from Šteindler's workshop. This series of spots was created in cooperation with the Havas Prague agency and appeared on television in 2008.