Talking Adverts Began Over 100 Years Ago!

The very first radio adverts were heard in the 1920s on New York radio station ‘WEAF’. Early radio in the UK was run by the BBC which doesn’t carry adverts. But in 1973, commercial radio arrived and suddenly adverts were everywhere! Companies quickly learned how to grab listeners’ attention using voices, music and catchy jingles. Unlike TV, there were no pictures – so they had to make you see things in your mind with clever words and sound effects.

Radio Adverts Are Made Like Mini Movies

Making a radio advert is like making a tiny movie – but only with sound! First, someone writes a script. Then voice actors record the words, often adding different voices or characters. Next, sound engineers add music, sound effects like doors creaking or cars zooming, and adjust everything to sound perfect. In a studio, they mix it all together – and that’s the advert you hear on the radio!

Famous Jingles Get Stuck in Your Head

A great radio advert often has a jingle – a short, catchy tune that you can’t stop singing. Just think of the Go Compare opera singer or the “Autoglass repair, Autoglass replace” jingles which became super famous. Even if you don’t need car insurance or glass repair, you’ll probably still hum the tune!

Adverts Use “Theatre of the Mind”

Radio adverts don’t have pictures – but they paint pictures in your head! This is called “theatre of the mind”. With just voices, sounds and music, you might imagine a monster truck roaring, a wizard casting spells, or a happy family eating dinner. That’s why radio adverts are often really creative – they let your imagination do the work!

The First British Commercial Jingle

One of the first British radio jingles was for Birds Eye frozen foods. It sang “We only pick them once… when they’re perfect!” Suddenly, British listeners were hearing fun, sing-song adverts instead of serious ones. It was exciting and very very catchy.

The Amazing Work of Voice Actors

Radio adverts often use voice actors who can change their voice to sound like different people, animals, or even robots! A single actor might play a friendly shopkeeper, a cheeky kid, and a talking dog – all in one advert. Voice actors practice lots of voices and emotions to make the characters feel real.

Some Ads Are Less Than 10 Seconds!

Not all adverts are long – some are super speedy! Short ads, called “sponsor credits” or “bumpers” that last for just 10 seconds. They might say “Sponsored by Sunny Juice – taste the sunshine!” That’s it! Quick ads like these fit between songs or shows but still get the brand’s name stuck in your head.

Keeping Kids Safe

You might not realise it but there are a lot of items that you WON’T hear advertised on the radio – or television. There are rules about what can and can’t be broadcast to keep people safe… and that includes no adverts for unhealthy food and snacks, things that only adults can buy, or anything that might be dangerous or harmful.

Adverts Can Be Super Local

Radio stations often play adverts just for your local area. You might hear “Come to Dave’s Discount Carpets – right here in Barnsley!” These local ads feel friendly and personal, like your neighbours chatting to you on the radio. Local businesses love radio because they can reach people nearby without spending lots of money.

Adverts That Make a Difference

Radio advertising isn’t always about selling stuff. It can pass on important messages – like how it’s important to have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in our homes. And charities also use adverts to spread important messages – like helping endangered animals or supporting children in need. With moving music, real-life stories, and kind voices, they inspire people to donate or help. Radio can be very powerful because you feel like the voice is talking just to you.

Why don’t you have a go at making a radio advert?

Pencils at the ready and enter below…

Safety Seymour – the superhero that helps you keep safe against the dangers of that invisible killer carbon monoxide – sometimes known simply as CO, needs your help…

Do you want to know more about what makes a great radio advert… and perhaps have a go yourself?

Just listen to our Radio Game series

And then take on these challenges to help learn about scripting and producing a great advert. Just download the packs below.

• Engaging an Audience – Download here
• The Brief – Download here
• Sparkling Scripts – Download here
• Producer Power – Download here
• Broadcast and Beyond – Download here

Find out more at FunKidsLive.com/safety