Generally, yes. People still read a TV ad as a sign that a business is established and serious.
Why TV feels trustworthy
- Every ad is checked. Clearcast reviews every TV ad before it airs, and claims need evidence. Social ads go through much lighter checks.
- It costs real money. Viewers know a TV campaign isn’t cheap. A brand on TV must be doing well enough to afford it.
- The setting. Your ad sits between programmes people chose to watch, on the biggest screen in the house. Not between a meme and a stranger’s holiday photos.
“As seen on TV” still works on packaging, websites and sales calls for a reason.
Social still has a job
Social is quick, cheap to test and precise with targeting. It’s where people check you out after seeing your TV ad, and where you can keep talking to them.
Better together
The two work best as a pair. TV builds the trust and the fame. Social and search pick up the interest it creates. When we make a TV ad, we usually shoot the social versions on the same day, so the same message turns up everywhere and each bit of spend makes the other work harder.