Radio Advertising History: Where Was the First Radio Spot?
One person’s version of radio advertising history may be quite different than another’s – at least when it comes to when the very first radio advertisement aired. There are no fewer than five different scenarios that have some validity. We at JKR Advertising & Marketing can’t say for sure which should be deemed the first, because, well, … we haven’t been around that long!
Radio Advertising History: The First?
The most recognized of the five happened in August 1922. The Queensboro Corporation of New York took to the airwaves (radio station WEAF) to sell real estate, a venture that proved very successful. A book called The WEAF Experiment outlines this “toll broadcasting,” as they called it. Run on a total of five broadcasts over a five-day span, the ads cost $50, plus AT&T long distance access fees. Shortly thereafter, AT&T actually went to court to gain control over all future advertising. Had they not lost that case, it’s quite possible advertising during that time period would have taken an entirely different turn.Read More