The History of Music in Advertising
Music plays a significant role in advertising when it comes to getting the consumer’s attention. Music is used for television, radio, and Internet advertisements. Music can enhance the expression, mood, situation, or character of the ad. It’s especially effective for TV commercials and radio advertisements. They can go from creative jingles to popular music from world famous artists today. Based on the timeline of music and advertising, entertainment was first used in advertising during the late 19th century. Businesses wanted to use a source of entertainment to advertise their company so they reached out to movie theaters and amusement parks to advertise to people. Department stores would hire acrobats and circus clowns to entertain people. These were the beginning of entertainment used with advertisement. The De Long Hook and Eye Co. created the first jingle in 1891. The jingle was called “See that hump” and it was a very catchy rhyme that made people sing it over and over. Jingles then became a fad during the first few years of the 1900s. In 1908, the Oldsmobile Car Company created their own jingle called “In My Merry Oldsmobile.” Johnny Marks wrote the jingle and it significantly helped advertise and promote Oldsmobile cars. (McLaren and Prelinger) The idea for jingles was a great creative advertising technique because the rhyme and repetition of the jingle stuck to consumer’s head. According to Brooker and Wheatley, who researched music and radio advertising, music has the capability of affecting consumers’ behavior and their feelings about the advertisement. Music doesn’t always have a positive affect on consumers because the music can distract the consumer from paying attention to the advertisement. It’s important for businesses to know how to choose the right song or jingle that will blend well with the advertisement. That way the consumer will be drawn to the ad and know the significance of the product with the help of the music. (Brooker and Wheatley)
Cited: Brooker, George, and John J. Wheatley. "Music And Radio Advertising: Effects Of Tempo And Placement, George Brooker, John J. Wheatley." Association for Consumer Research. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. . Faulkner, Tim. “HowStuffWorks ‘Jingle History’” HowStuffWorks “Business & Money” Web. 06 Dec. 2011. Huron, David. "Music in Advertising: An Analytic Paradigm." Music Quarterly 73.4 (1989): 557-74. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. . McLaren, Carrie, and Rick Prelinger. "Salesnoise: a Timeline of Music and Advertising." Stay Free! Home Base. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. .