Came across this snippet today in Retail Newsagent, Bookseller and Stationer, dated November 2nd 1968:
A PROMOTIONAL and advertising campaign to boost the SWORD range of space-age toys from Century 21 Toys Ltd. is being launched throughout the country during November.
The campaign will embrace trade, provincial Press and children's comic advertising, advertising on millions of bus tickets and competitions for both retailers and consumers.
It starts in Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow in November when millions of bus tickets in these three key cities will carry advertisements for SWORD toys.
Early in December the 280, 000 circulation comic TV 21 will carry a "Design a new SWORD toy" competition with a first prize of a hovercraft trip to France.
Advertising is planned for TV 21, Eagle, Valiant and Buster, and Century 21 Toys are holding a national window display contest with separate classes for retailers and special display staff.
I asked in the comments, "Why those cities?" Shaqui had this to say: "Birmingham was the heart of 'ATV Land' which, according to some who worked on 'TV21' gave the higher percentage of reader feedback, probably owing to the Anderson series receiving a greater profile in its native region. Can't speak for the other two locations though."
I asked in the comments, "Why those cities?" Shaqui had this to say: "Birmingham was the heart of 'ATV Land' which, according to some who worked on 'TV21' gave the higher percentage of reader feedback, probably owing to the Anderson series receiving a greater profile in its native region. Can't speak for the other two locations though."
Totally amazing Toad! What a super find! Well done! Wonder if a new SWORD toy was designed? And could it be that one or two of those bus tickets survived? Brilliant yet again Toad. PS. Did TV21 actiually run the 'design a SWORD toy' competition?
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ReplyDeleteThere was no such competition in TV 21, and I suspect there were no such bus tickets either. I'm willing to bet the competition for retailers was just as pie-in-the-sky too. Hence my header expressing scepticism.
ReplyDelete(By the way, why those cities? I'm surprised London wasn't on there. Or Manchester for that matter. Why those three? Were they perhaps the only cities which had advertisements printed on bus tickets?)
But my sceptical views might be wrong, at least about the tickets and that window display competition. I hope so, very, very much! I wonder how we would go about finding out? Who knows, maybe that window display with the Moonbase, seen by Andy (wasn't it?). was one such entry?
So, thinking caps on for ideas how to find out. Like, are there people who collect bus tickets? Maybe they would know? Are there museums devoted to such? Would the bus companies for those cities be able to help? (Perhaps one or more has kept some historical records?)
Where would competition for retailers be announced?
Once mOre th toad brings home the bacon! What a fabulous piece of info! Top flight research!
ReplyDeleteGIYF! There are loads of links for "Bus Ticket Collections". And many seem to be from exactly the right period…
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
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