Advertising in Spain
What an ad is, which formats exist on television and how to recognise each one, with examples you can watch.
What is an advertisement
An advertisement is a message paid for by a brand, an institution or an organisation to promote a product, a service or a cause. On television it airs in ad breaks, between programmes or during them.
Types of TV advertisements
- Classic spot
- The 10 to 60 second piece: a story, a song and a slogan. It is the format of most ads on this site.
- Sponsorship
- A brand “sponsors” a programme or a section and appears in a short bumper before or after it.
- Infomercial
- A longer slot that imitates a programme and presents a product with a demonstration and a call to buy.
- Public-interest campaign
- Ads from institutions or foundations to raise awareness of a cause: road safety, health, the environment. We gather them under social campaigns.
- Product placement
- The brand appears inside a programme or series, with no ad break.
What makes an ad memorable
- A clear idea that is understood in a few seconds.
- Music or a slogan that sticks: that is why so many jingles are still hummed.
- A visible brand at the end, so you know whose it is.
Where to watch examples
The ads portal has the videos by decade, brand and theme. And for how television has evolved, read the guide to TV ads in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
What is an advertisement?
A paid message from a brand, institution or campaign to promote a product, a service or a cause. On television it usually lasts between 10 and 60 seconds.
What types of TV ads are there?
Classic spots, programme sponsorship, infomercials, product placement and public-interest campaigns.