Your Shopping Service (Fashion and Beauty)

1955
Sound
28m

Barbara Murray deftly fends off little girls while presenting this early 'admag'.

Advertising features or advertising magazines ('admags'), such as this edition fronted by actress Barbara Murray, even appeared in TV listings. But they proved controversial: commercial television was a new concept for viewers and the Pilkington Committee on Broadcasting found these short features blurred the line between the ads and the programmes. In 1963 they were outlawed by Parliament.

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.