2 separate websites this week are running articles on Jingles – and both are really worth a read.

Firstly Allan Cross at one of my favourite sites A JOURNAL OF MUSICAL THINGS – has done a really short sharp article (admittedly on TV Jingles) – HERE
And Susan Ashworth at Radio World covered radio jingles too – and celebrating the power of them which is happening in a new virtual exhibit – Read the full article HERE
In this great article Susan covers some of the history of jingles really well. Susan says:
The Library of American Broadcasting has announced the opening of a new virtual exhibit that honors the long history of broadcast jingles.
The exhibit, titled “The Lost Art of Jingle Writing,” is culled from a collection of iconic ads that have been archived by the Radio Advertising Bureau. The RAB began collecting examples of ads from all over the country, starting in 1954, to showcase the power of radio during the rise of the television era. The result is a virtual collection of jingle composers and performers producing iconic ads that demonstrate the effectiveness of a catchy tune paired with memorable lyrics.
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To quote from the famous Bunny Studios website (HERE): “These lovely and catchy tunes are used by advertisers to make their radio ads stand out. Despite almost every radio ad coming with a radio jingle, many advertisers don’t appreciate the power of these audio tunes.”
I love jingles and would love to use them more – but the costs can be a killer – or can they? There are cheap ways to make a jingle if you use production library music with vocals – but there is nothing to stop anyone else using the same jingle in another commercial – there are cheap production houses out there too who can knock out a jingle fast.
But when it comes to station ID’s, Sweeps and other audio branding for jock and segment bits – they need to be professionally done.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on jingles, etc. Let me know below.
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