HMV: A history of ads and logos

HMV has called in administrators, putting some 4,500 jobs at risk and possibly bringing an end to one of Britain’s best-known brands. Marketing Week takes a look back at some of the high-street chain’s best known adverts and logos from the last century.

1920s

HMV50sAd

The brand’s iconic logo of Nipper the dog was first used on the company’s advertising in the 1920s and was used on the front of its first ever store on Oxford Street when it opened in 1921.

1940s

HMV50sAd

An advert the retailer ran to promote its electrical household goods range.

1996

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq2KzTM541o

HMV ran an advert to promote compilation CD ‘The Absolute 90s’ featuring tracks from bands Wheezer, White Zombie and Dinosaur Junior.

2006

HMVGromitad

The brand ran a print advert featuring music group The Gorillaz as part of its wider ‘My Inspiration’ campaign.

2007

HMV50sAd

HMV refreshed its icnoic Nipper the dog and gramophone logo and introduced its ‘Get Closer’ strapline.

2007

HMV50sAd

HMV’s replaced Nipper with Aardman animation’s Gromit character on its logo for three months to support children’s promotion in-stores.

2007

The retailer ran a silent video which appeared on outdoor screens in shopping centres across the UK.

2009

HMV ran an advert to promote its range of romantic films such as Titanic and Casablanca as part of a tactical Valentine’s Day promotional push in 2009.

2011

HMV unveiled its first TV ad dedicated to its expanded technology offering.

2012

HMV launched a series of animated TV ads to spark sales ahead of the Christmas trading period.

 

 

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