ART IN ADVERTISING: CZECH BRANDS ARE INSPIRED BY FOREIGN ARTISTS AND CZECH GREATS

21. 8. 2024 | 5 min read Czech viewers are very specific, and when it comes to television advertising, they are quite different from viewers in other countries. But they have one thing in common with foreign audiences: pride in their national greats. That is why creatives – in their efforts to tailor television advertising to the Czech viewer – like to draw from abroad as well as from Czech history.

SOLVENT CZECHS LIKE TO HOLIDAY WITH A TRAVEL AGENCY. SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO TO APPEAL TO THEM IN YOUR TV ADVERTISING!

12. 8. 2024 | 5 min read Around 60% of Czechs go on domestic holidays every year, 45% go abroad. Although holidays are no longer exclusively associated with summer, summer is still the main season. Some people like to arrange everything themselves, others rely entirely on travel agencies, and some make a choice depending on circumstances. The current summer mood led us to the idea of looking at Czechs through the lens of holiday arrangements and we came up with one downright summer finding. Or more accurately, a travel finding.

UNDER THE FIVE OLYMPIC RINGS. GAME-CHANGING TV ADS

9. 8. 2024 | 12 min read The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are slowly heading towards the Closing Ceremony. As we already know, the Olympics are not only the pinnacle of professional athletes’ careers but also a very rewarding time for marketers to present their revolutionary ideas. World-renowned brands have always used and continue to use the emotional power of sport at Games time to spread positive values and connect people across continents. Olympic history is full of memorable ads that have not only defined global marketing but have also co-shaped the international Olympic movement. What are some of the most memorable ones? Coca-Cola – Celebrate Humanity (1996) When Atlanta, Georgia, hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics, it was widely expected that one of the largest global companies having its headquarters in the metropolis, Coca-Cola, would be heavily involved in the process. And indeed, the 1996 Olympic Games went down in marketing history as the “Coca-Cola Games”. The Coca-Cola Olympic City where some of the Olympic sports could be watched in virtual reality was clear evidence that the company, one of the oldest Olympic sponsors, was certainly not underestimating this opportunity. The company also launched its Celebrate Humanity campaign to mark the occasion and, predominantly, celebrate humanity and joy. The campaign’s message was presented through emotive stories and visuals that showed the athletes and their paths to success. The individual spots consisted of authentic footage from the Olympic Games, inspirational music and voiceovers, which were combined with images of the athletes and emotional moments from the Games. And, of course, localisation for each national market was an important element. The advertising spots were one of the most important elements of the campaign – they included inspirational quotes from athletes and worked with authentic footage from past Games. As a result, Celebrate Humanity has become an Olympic benchmark for Coca-Cola, and there is perhaps not a single Olympic ad that doesn’t take at least a small nod to this legendary campaign.

SALVADOR DALÍ: NOT ONLY DALÍ’S BIZARRE WORKS BUT ALSO THE GENIUS OF SURREALISM HIMSELF CONTRIBUTED TO ADVERTISING

1. 8. 2024 | 8 min read Salvador Dalí, the master of Surrealism, is world-renowned for his recognisable style, characterised by dreamlike imagery, mind-blowing illusions, and meticulous attention to detail. He can be considered one of the most distinctive and enigmatic artists of the last century. With his works that invite the viewer to come closer and explore the strange harmony of the bizarre and the mundane, Dalí has captivated the world since 1925 when his first work was exhibited in Barcelona. His fresh perception of the world has also influenced the world of advertising and inspired many brands.

PREPARATIONS ARE DRAWING TO A CLOSE. THE SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES ARE ALWAYS A CHALLENGE NOT ONLY FOR THE ATHLETES BUT ALSO FOR THE MARKETING DEPARTMENTS OF THE PARTNERS

19. 7. 2024 | 13 min read We are just days away from the start of the most spectacular sporting event of this year. The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are just around the corner and preparations are reaching their peak on all fronts. Fans are already studying the schedule, searching for the streaming platforms that will offer them the best coverage of each event. The athletes go into the finals after often more than a year of intensive preparation. Organisers are making the final touches and reassuring the public that they have done their utmost in terms of security to ensure the smooth running of the Games. And what about the Olympic team partners? Their marketing departments are racing to see who can put together the most creative campaign full of hope, motivation, and positive sportsmanship with the help of national heroes. The same applies to the Czech Olympic Committee and its most important sponsors. How have they managed this discipline during the past Olympics and what have they prepared for us this year? Czech Olympic Committee - Living London like John Cleese (2012) Traditionally, the Czech Olympic Committee, as the main carrier of the Olympic message in the country, airs its TV advertisements in the run-up to the Olympics. In 2012, it managed to engage a truly exclusive partner – British actor John Cleese, best known as a former member of the legendary comedy group Monty Python, and neurotic hotel manager Basil Fawlty from the Britcom Fawlty Towers. The campaign featured several spots in which Cleese takes the role of the viewer’s guide to Olympic and traditional London. Of course, he provides basic information on red phone booths, the five o’clock tea tradition, and a basic English language lesson. The COC has launched a total of ten spots featuring John Cleese, and interestingly, the actor has made one condition for his participation – that he will be actively involved in the scripting of all the adverts. The result is a unique campaign with an international star actor who excels in the art of dry British humour, which would be difficult to imitate by an exclusively Czech creative team. Czech fans couldn’t have asked for a better invitation to London.

ART IN ADVERTISING: ARTVERTISING HAS A LONG HISTORY AND REPRESENTS A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR ADVERTISERS AND ARTISTS

11. 7. 2024 | 5 min read Art and advertising are two seemingly separate categories but in fact, they are incredibly close to each other.

FILM FESTIVAL TRAILERS TAKE A LOT OF SKILL. WHAT MAKES THE RECIPE FROM KARLOVY VARY GLOBALLY UNIQUE?

27. 6. 2024 | 12 min read Anyone who has ever visited Karlovy Vary for the International Film Festival knows the routine. After choosing from hundreds of films and standing in an endless queue for tickets, you settle comfortably in the cinema room at Pupp or Thermal, perhaps listening to a debate with a visiting filmmaker, and looking forward to an experience that usually breaks out of the confines of the classic film mainstream. At this point, however, KVIFF will serve you an extra course – yes, you are right, it is the traditional festival trailer. And the Karlovy Vary one is quite unique from a global perspective. What exactly makes it so special and what is the practice abroad?

COMMERCIAL MEDIA HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE BIG MEDIA AMENDMENT

17. 6. 2024 | 5 min read Representatives of the private media sector do not like the new form of the draft media amendment. They see the wording of the accompanying Memorandum, which is supposed to describe more precisely the tasks of public service media, as essential.

CZECHS HAVE ICE HOCKEY IN THEIR DNA. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WATCH THE GAMES, ADVERTISERS ARE REAPING THE BENEFITS

16. 5. 2024 | 7 min read The moments when the heart of the Czech nation beats to the rhythm of the chants of the fans in the stands and the eyes cannot tear themselves away from the puck sliding down the ice are extremely emotional and unforgettable. The cries of “Goal!” rock the windowpanes in towns and villages, especially when it is the World Championship. Czechs have simply had ice hockey in their DNA since the beginning of the last century. Anyone who doesn’t have the opportunity to attend the games live is usually glued to the TV screen. It is no wonder that on every major hockey occasion, such as the ongoing World Championship, loads of hockey-themed advertisements pop up.

LUCKY SEVEN: THE 7 BIGGEST MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TV ADVERTISING

29. 4. 2024 | 10 min read The Association of Commercial Television (AKTV) celebrated seven years of operation. The seventh anniversary brings a look back at the wealth of AKTV’s activities aimed at promoting the interests of commercial television, fighting digital piracy, and contributing to the development of the legislative framework for broadcasting and promoting television. These are the most meaningful activities as television viewing is still at its peak of popularity, as research shows.

PUBLIC SERVICE MEDIA SHOULD NOT PROFIT FROM ADVERTISING, SAYS THE ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCIAL TELEVISION

27. 4. 2024 | 16 min read Media manager Klára Brachtlová has been the head of the Association of Commercial Television (AKTV) for a year. The Association was founded by the Nova, Prima, and Óčko TV groups seven years ago. In an interview, Klára Brachtlová reveals how the Association helps TV stations, how broadcasters are coping with the advent of artificial intelligence, and why commercial media opposed the amendment to the law that increases fees for Česká televize (Czech Television, ČT).

MYTHS VERSUS REALITY: THE TRUTH ABOUT TELEVISION AND TELEVISION ADVERTISING

18. 4. 2024 | 8 min read There have been more than enough myths about television in recent years. But none of them hold up under the weight of the facts. Television is still one of the most important media channels, still reaches a large number of viewers and is still the medium that stirs emotions, offers the highest efficiency and return on investment, maximum attention and trust. And it is far from being consumed just by the older generation. In any case, television has the potential to be effective and attractive in the long term - for marketers and media planners as well as for audiences.

THE BIG SCREEN HAS AN UNDENIABLE CHARM FOR VIEWERS

14. 4. 2024 | 6 min read The figures are clear. Television is still the undefeated queen of home entertainment. It is the familiar big screen we all grew up with. Modern technology may be exciting, but it has not dethroned television. Why? Television offers advantages that other media cannot provide. According to ATO-Nielsen data, Czech TV viewers spend an average of 3.5 hours a day in front of the screen and 93% of households watch TV programmes at least sometimes.

EASTER HUNT FOR THE BEST AD? IT PAYS MARKETERS TO RESPECT TRADITION – IDEALLY WITH AN INNOVATIVE PLOT TWIST

1. 4. 2024 | 12 min read Although Easter is primarily a Christian holiday, it is infallibly a huge event in the world of marketing and television advertising. In particular, retail chains, food companies and candy makers of all kinds cannot miss it. Every year they come up with a fresh batch of campaigns brimming with eggs, bunnies and every other possible symbol of the spring holidays. If you haven’t had a big dose of sweets yet, watch out! Today, you will be reading mostly about lots of chocolate. Cadbury - Clucking Bunny (1983-???) Easter is associated with traditions and the same is true of its imprint in television advertising. One such tradition was established by Cadbury almost forty years ago when the British company introduced its Easter Bunny on TV screens. The bunny brings the legendary Creme Eggs, one of the iconic products of the global chocolatier, into stores year after year. The original advert’s content was relatively simple - basically just a couple of shots of the bunny making strange noises followed by a basket full of Creme Eggs. But the most important is what came after that. Cadbury decided to build on the inconspicuous advert. In the years that followed, the firm came with the message that all other animals desperately wanted to be like the Cadbury bunny but couldn’t. The real masterstroke came later when the company decided to run a viewer poll each Easter where customers could vote on which animal would be the Easter Bunny for that year. Last year, it was a cat from Boise, Idaho, USA; this year, voters chose a raccoon. For Cadbury it means that their marketing idea still survives after many decades, getting the variations that the consumer wants and making the launch of the new spot a major Easter event.

TV ADVERTISING IS NOT EXPENSIVE. IT OFFERS A HIGH RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND CAN BE AFFORDED BY SMALLER COMPANIES

21. 3. 2024 | 7 min read Quite often we encounter the myth that television as an advertising medium is expensive. But the reality is quite different. The magic term in TV advertising is “return on investment”. Television as a medium has an incredibly high return on investment because it has the greatest potential to reach and engage mass audiences, create brand awareness, have an emotional impact and generate sales. Even though competition from other platforms such as social media is continuously increasing, TV still generates better results than advertising done through other media channels.

THE FRIENDLIEST DAY OF THE YEAR IS HERE. GUINNESS BREWERY ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY PROVES TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST A DROP OF GREEN BLOOD IN THEM

17. 3. 2024 | 14 min read Your favourite pub may soon be turning green too, as 17 March is fast approaching and with it comes the exuberant celebrations of the friendliest holiday of the year, St Patrick's Day. Every year it's a big event in the marketing world too - and while typically Irish brands obviously dominate with their campaigns, it's certainly not an occasion they've usurped for themselves. In fact, a certain sense of 'Irishness' has long been defined not just by nationality, but more importantly by a specific mindset and belief in certain shared values. Yet there is one brand to which we owe the popularisation of this idea - and that is why it is impossible to celebrate St Patrick's Day without the name of one of the world's oldest breweries being mentioned at least once.

TELEVISION HAS THE HIGHEST TRUST AND ATTENTION. THESE FACTORS MAKE IT MORE POWERFUL THAN OTHER MEDIA

14. 3. 2024 | 8 min read Advertising on TV still holds all the aces to show advertisers that it is exactly the part of the marketing mix to ensure effective achievement of objectives and increased sales. The myth that TV has no advantages over other media in the digital age does not hold up. Its effectiveness and performance have not been undermined by the expansion of social media without which today’s younger generation cannot do. What is behind television’s strong position as an advertising medium? The answer is simple: its credibility and the ability of TV advertising to gain and hold the attention of the audience.

TV ADVERTISING AND SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION ARE TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS THAT CAN BE EASILY CONNECTED

7. 3. 2024 | 8 min read The former myth that advertisers can get by with social networks has long been debunked. Television advertising has undeniable advantages that no other medium offers. And that is why it is crystal clear that the ideal way to get the most out of advertising is to include both channels in your advertising plan.