TV Commercials
Songs 1985 (Agency: J Walter Thompson)
Probably the best TV commercial that BR made in the 80s. Launched in January 1985 as part of BR’s drive to improve
its reputation amongst the UK population, it was the first commercial to feature J Walter Thompson’s new,
optimistic ‘strap line’, “British Rail - We’re Getting There”. Perhaps the most appealing
aspect of this footage is that all the staff featured were BR employees just doing their every day job after the
nationwide customer care training programme. The Travelling Ticket Inspector was a well known and much liked character
with a very unique style!
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Filmed on location at various stations including Kings Cross and Paddington. The sound track of the commercial includes
classic and very appropriate tracks by Diana Ross, Dusty Springfield, Cilla Black, Elton John and, rather topically
now that the group are back together again, Police and Sting with ‘Every Breath You Take’.
Voice over by Hywel Bennett.
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Anecdote - late in 1984 when J Walter Thompson were one of four agencies pitching for the BR advertising account
they turned up, unannounced, at Kings Cross at the start of the Friday evening peak with a full film crew and
entourage. The idea was to shoot the pilot ‘Songs’ commercial as part of their pitch to BR.
This shoot ended up causing a lot of disruption and delays to outgoing services.
In spite of this, JWT won the account and went on to produce some classic advertising for BR.
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