The Gruen Transfer

The Gruen Transfer

Advertising: how it works, and how it works on us. Decode and defuse the commercial messages that swirl through our lives, with the help of a panel of ad industry experts.

Comedy

Seasons

1. Beer

Air Date: 2008-05-28

Wil Anderson hosts the first episode of The Gruen Transfer. The panel discuss why beer ads work, the beauty industry and the segment "The Pitch" includes a competition between two advertising agencies to make an ad for whale meat.

2. Undies

Air Date: 2008-06-04

Wil Anderson hosts The Gruen Transfer with regular panelists Russel Howcroft and Todd Sampson, and guest panelists Jane Caro and Darryl Parsons. Segments include a competition between two advertising agencies to make an ad for a holiday in Baghdad. Ads critiqued this week: Agent Provocateur - Proof Holeproof - Nothing Bonds - Mash Antz Pantz - Sic 'Em Rex Underdaks - Airport Emporio by Armani - David Beckham Calvin Klein - Mark Wahlberg Ecko Unltd - Still Free Pakistan International Airways - Twin Towers

3. Banks

Air Date: 2008-06-11

his week's panel included regulars Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft along with guest panelists Bridget Taylor and Matt Eastwood. Ads discussed were: "Transport for London - Moonwalking Bear"; the ads from the four biggest banks in Australia; Chevrolet - Tahoe Anti-Ads; and "Philadelphia Cream Cheese - New Girl in Heaven". The pitch was to make celibacy sexy.

4. Chocolate

Air Date: 2008-06-18

Wil Anderson, Todd Sampson, and Russel Howcroft are joined this week by Jane Caro and Dan Gregory. Segments include the bum-vertising challenge: what would you advertise on homeless people? How Do You Sell... chocolate. The Pitch: the Australian Democrats. Ad of the Week: Head & Shoulders dandruff shampoo. Endorse Me: David Hicks.

5. 4WD

Air Date: 2008-06-25

The panel this week consists of regulars Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft, and guests Dee Madigan and Bram Williams. The segments include: What's Wrong With This Ad? a dog food ad. How Do You Sell... four wheel drives. The Pitch: plastic bags. Ad of the Week: a sex trafficking ad featuring Emma Thompson; Brad Pitt in an Edwin jeans ad.

6. Feminine Hygiene

Air Date: 2008-07-02

Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft and guests Jane Caro and Matt Eastwood make up this week's panel. The segments are What's This Ad For? a French crime channel ad. How Do You Sell... feminine hygiene products. The Pitch for child labour. Ad of the Week: Ricky Ponting's many endorsements.

7. Road Safety

Air Date: 2008-07-09

Wil, Todd, and Russel are joined by Bridget Taylor and Dan Gregory to decide what kind of commercial endorsement would be appropriate for John Howard, How Do You Sell... road safety ads, The Pitch: Invading New Zealand, Ad of the Week: Cheap warehouse ads & the Gruen Beauty Shouty Ad. The show finishes with a parody of a shouty ad, for 'Power Thirst'.

8. Telcos

Air Date: 2008-07-16

This week's panel consists of Todd, Russel, Dee Madigan, and Matt Eastwood. The segments ask: What to advertise on sheep? How Do You Sell... phones. The Pitch to embrace global warming. Ad of the Week: blender vs iPhone. Jesus Gruen beer viewer ad.

9. Skincare

Air Date: 2008-07-23

This week's panel consists of Todd, Russel, Jane Caro, and Bram Williams. The segments talk about Nude Creams, the Back up, and Brand Builders How Do You Sell... Skin Care. The Pitch: Buy Nothing Day. Ad of the Week: Cover Girl Make-up - Rihanna

10. Cannes

Air Date: 2008-07-30

This week's panel consists of Todd, Russel, Bridget Taylor and Dan Gregory. The segments talk about Zoot Reviews, the Whopper Freakout, Schweppes "Burst" and the Cadbury's Gorilla How Do You Sell... Skin Care. The Pitch: Anti-Tourism Campaign. Ad of the Week: Football Superstar

1. Australia

Air Date: 2009-03-18

In this episode : How Do You Sell: Australia, The Pitch: Nuclear Power, Ad of The Week: CareerBuilder.com

2. Oral Care

Air Date: 2009-03-25

In this episode : How Do You Sell: Oral Care, Ad of The Week: Witchery Mens, The Pitch: Don Bradman

3. Bottled Water

Air Date: 2009-04-01

In this episode : How Do You Sell: Bottled Water, Ad of The Week: Fake Internet Ads, The Pitch: Ice to Eskimos

4. Petrol

Air Date: 2009-04-08

In this episode : How Do You Sell: Petrol, Ad of The Week: Damage Control, The Pitch: Synchronised Swimming for Aussie Men

5. Weight Loss

Air Date: 2009-04-15

In this episode : How Do You Sell: Weightloss, Ad of The Week: Sexual Abuse, The Pitch: The GFC's effect on CEOs

6. Breakfast Cereal

Air Date: 2009-04-22

In this episode : How Do You Sell: Breakfast Cereal, Ad of The Week: The Million Project, The Pitch: Cosmetic Surgery for Children

7. Tobacco

Air Date: 2009-04-29

In this episode : How Do You Sell: Tobacco, Ad of The Week: Cruelty to Actors, The Pitch: Bring 2012 Olympics to Australia

8. Yourself

Air Date: 2009-05-06

In this episode : How Do You Sell: Yourself, Ad of The Week: Coca Cola's Health Claims, The Pitch: Cane Toads For Pets

9. Meat

Air Date: 2009-05-13

In this episode : How Do You Sell: Meat, Ad of The Week: Speight's Beer, The Pitch: Fat Pride

10. Hamburgers

Air Date: 2009-05-20

In this episode : How Do You Sell: Hamburgers, Ad of the Week: GE sexy mine workers, The Pitch: Make Australians give up their public holidays

1. Cleaning Products

Air Date: 2010-06-16

How do you Sell? Exploring the techniques and tactics agencies use to sell their Cleaning Products. The Pitch: Save the Blobfish Ad of the week: An indepth discussion of how the Government and Mining Industry have tried to sway public oppinion through their advertising.

2. The World Cup

Air Date: 2010-06-23

How do you Sell? Adidas vs Nike, talking about the techniques and tactics agencies have used to sell their products in and around the World Cup. Time Tunnel:From 1981 hello sexy Nix. The Pitch: Visit Asbestos Ad Crunch: An indepth discussion of Daniel Cox's ad to help make people wear seatbelts, how does this film work and what makes it so affective.

3. MasterChef

Air Date: 2010-06-30

How do you Sell? Exploring how advertising sells MasterChef and how MasterChef sells you. Raking in cash through ad sales, product placement and merchandising. The Pitch: Western Australia should become it's own country Ad Crunch: Analysing a provocative World Wildlife Fund ad, what does this piece of communication acheive and how effective is it.

4. Deodorant

Air Date: 2010-07-07

Endorse Me: Kevin Rudd How do you Sell? A journey into advertising's armpit, the claims and solutions agencies use for the problems you just realised you had. Debating Deodorant advertising. The Pitch: Oil spills Ad of the week: Analysing the award winning Old Spice ad.

5. 3D Television

Air Date: 2010-07-14

How do you Sell Televisions? The biggest purchase most people will make after a house and car how do they get you to buy their brand? The Pitch: Urine Ad of the week: McDonalds introduction of the Mighty Angus and the Gand Angus campaine was their most successful launch. What made sale increase to the tune of an extra $2 million a week?

6. Non-drinking

Air Date: 2010-07-21

7. Milk

Air Date: 2010-08-25

8. Shaving

Air Date: 2010-09-01

9. Religion

Air Date: 2010-09-08

10. Insurance

Air Date: 2010-09-15

11. Infomercials

Air Date: 2010-09-22

12. Airlines

Air Date: 2010-09-29

Wil Anderson, Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft are joined by Matt Eastwood and Bridget Taylor on the final episode for this series. On How Do You Sell? we look at airlines and On the Pitch - NZ and Australia One Country.

1. Supermarkets

Air Date: 2011-08-03

2. Banks (Part II)

Air Date: 2011-08-10

3. Animal Rights & Pillows

Air Date: 2011-08-17

4. Condoms

Air Date: 2011-08-24

5. Snack Bars

Air Date: 2011-08-31

6. Billboards

Air Date: 2011-09-07

7. Shampoo

Air Date: 2011-09-14

8. Sportsbetting

Air Date: 2011-09-21

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Rating

6.6/10

Release Date

2008-05-28

Episodes

40 (14 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast