Branston Pickle: Advertising Agency

1957
Sound
1m

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!

Necessity is the mother of invention. The advertising agency's problem of fitting a distinctive commercial message for Crosse & Blackwell Branston Pickle into 15 seconds of screen time becomes the solution. Britain's leading animation company Halas & Batchelor were brought on board to turn a clever idea into this small but perfectly formed ad from the early years of commercial television in Britain.

ANIMATED ADVERTISEMENT. An enraged man shouts at cowering executives in an
office labelled 'Advertising'. "I know 15 seconds isn't long for a commercial,
but you've got to say Crosse and you've got to say Blackwell, and you've got
to say Branston and Pickle and 10 o'clock tested. And if you can't, then we
won't go on television!" The executives scatter after placing a jar of pickle
in his hand, which becomes the pack-shot at the end.

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.