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Why Do We Still Remember Some TV Ads?

Ask a friend to name an ad they remember from years ago. They’ll probably get it in seconds, and might even hum the tune. Now ask them what they watched last Tuesday. Blank. That’s the gap between a forgettable ad and one that sticks.

The good news is that good advertisements on television aren’t about big budgets. They’re about the style you choose to tell your story. Here are seven styles that tend to stay with Malaysian viewers, with made-up sample ideas to show how each one might work.

Note: all the businesses and storylines below are fictional.

Style 1: The Emotional Story

Best for: family brands, banks, insurance, education, healthcare

This is the one that makes you tear up at Raya. Instead of listing features, it tells a small story about family, friendship or coming home. The product shows up quietly near the end.

Sample idea: A grandmother prepares her usual kuih in the kitchen while the grandchildren video-call from abroad. At the end, a simple line: “Some things are best shared at home.” Then the bakery’s name.

The key is to feel real, not forced. One honest moment is better than five dramatic ones.

Style 2: The Funny One

Best for: food and drink, retail, telco, apps, anything light-hearted

Humour gets people to pay attention and share the ad with friends. Malaysians love a good laugh, especially when it’s about everyday situations like traffic, mamak banter and family WhatsApp groups.

Sample idea: A man tells everyone he’ll “be there in five minutes” while clearly still in his pyjamas. His phone buzzes. It’s his friend asking for a ride. The line: “Late again? Order from Rasa Kita, delivered before you finish getting ready.”

A word of caution: make sure the joke doesn’t overshadow the brand. If viewers laugh but can’t remember who it was for, the ad hasn’t done its job.

Style 3: The Customer Story

Best for: clinics, tuition centres, salons, home services, car dealers

People trust people like themselves. A short testimonial from a real customer can carry more weight than any slogan.

Sample idea: A parent explains how her daughter used to dread maths, and how, after a few months at a tuition centre, she now asks for extra practice. A simple on-screen line: “Book a free trial class.”

Keep it honest and specific. A real detail, like a child asking for more homework, is more believable than “great service, highly recommended.” And always get permission from the people you feature.

Style 4: The Problem Solver

Best for: home products, repair services, health products, software

This style opens with a problem everyone knows, then shows your product fixing it. It’s simple, clear and works well when your offer is easy to demonstrate.

Sample idea: A family struggles with a dark, stuffy living room before a big gathering. A quick change of lighting and fans, and the room feels fresh. The line: “Ready for guests in one afternoon.”

If you can show before and after, do it. Viewers understand it instantly.

Style 5: The Festive Special

Best for: almost any brand during Raya, CNY, Deepavali, Christmas and Merdeka

Festive ads tap into something viewers already feel: gathering, giving, travelling home. They often mix warmth with a seasonal offer.

Sample idea: A car service centre shows a family packing the boot for balik kampung, with a mechanic quietly checking the tyres before they leave. “Safe journey starts here.”

Slots in festive seasons fill up early, so book well in advance. And consider whether your ad speaks to more than one community, since Malaysian viewers are diverse.

Style 6: The Nostalgia Trip

Best for: heritage brands, food, snacks, toys, long-running businesses

Nostalgia works because it takes people back. A school canteen, a kampung afternoon, a childhood snack. Familiar music or visuals can do a lot of the work.

Sample idea: A man bites into a familiar biscuit and is suddenly back in a school canteen, queuing with his friends. Back in the present, he smiles. The line: “Still as good as you remember.”

This style suits brands with a long history. If your brand is brand-new, a different style may be a better fit.

Style 7: The Familiar Face

Best for: brands wanting personality: retail, food, services, new products

A recurring character, a mascot or a spokesperson can help your brand feel recognisable. It could be a well-known personality, or a friendly character that becomes the face of your business.

Sample idea: A cheerful “Pak Cik Kopi” mascot appears in every ad, offering a witty tip before telling viewers to try the new blend.

A familiar face builds recognition over time, especially if you run it for months. Just make sure the person or character fits your brand’s tone, and be careful with endorsements, as promises need to be honest.

How to Choose a Style

Not sure which one fits? Ask yourself:

1. What do I want viewers to feel? Trust, laughter, warmth, urgency?
2. Who am I talking to? Parents, young workers, families, older viewers?
3. What is my offer? Easy to demonstrate, or more emotional?
4. What’s the moment? A festive season, a launch or an everyday ad?
5. Will it still make sense on mute? Many people don’t hear the ad properly, so the visuals should carry the story.

You can also blend styles. A festive ad can be emotional and funny. A testimonial can also solve a problem. Just keep one clear message.

A Few Things That Work in Every Style

• Grab attention early. The first few seconds decide whether people keep watching.
• Show your name clearly. A great story means nothing if nobody knows who it’s from.
• One idea only. Don’t try to tell three stories in thirty seconds.
• End with one action. Visit, call, WhatsApp or search.
• Run it long enough. Familiarity grows with repetition.

Finding Your Style

The best advertisements on television don’t try to be everything. They pick one style, one message and one feeling, and do it well. Think about your audience, choose the style that suits your brand’s personality, and keep it simple.

If you’d like to explore which style might suit your business, the team at Avyan is happy to chat. Drop us a message anytime. No hard sell, just a friendly chat about advertisements on television that suit you.

More Than Just a 30-Second Commercial

Say “TV ad” and most people picture the same thing: a short commercial that pops up between a drama and the evening news. That’s one kind, but it’s far from the only one. Brands can sponsor a show, appear inside a programme, or reach viewers on a streaming app.

If you’re thinking about TV advertising for your business, it helps to know what’s on the menu before you order. Here’s a simple look at the main types, the good and not-so-good sides, and how to tell which one suits you.

What Is TV Advertising, Really?

At its simplest, TV advertising means paying to put your message in front of viewers while they watch. That could be on a free-to-air channel, a pay-TV channel, or increasingly, through streaming and connected TV. You pay for airtime or placement, and your brand gets seen and heard in someone’s living room.

What makes TV different from most other media is that it combines moving pictures, sound and story. It’s closer to a mini film than a banner.

The Main Types of TV Advertising

1. Spot ads (commercials).
The classic. A 15, 30 or 60-second ad that plays during a commercial break. Good for launches, promotions and building your name. It’s the most common format, and the easiest to understand.

2. Programme sponsorship.
Your brand is linked to a particular show or segment, like “this programme is brought to you by…”. Sponsors often get short mentions at the start and end of a show, and sometimes around the breaks. It works well for building a steady association with a type of audience, like a cooking show for a food brand.

3. Product placement and in-programme mentions.
Your product appears inside the show itself, in a scene, a challenge or a segment. Done well, it feels natural. Done badly, it feels forced, so it works best when the product genuinely fits the story.

4. Direct response ads.
These push viewers to act right away: call this number, scan this code, WhatsApp us now. They usually include a clear offer and a time limit. Good for sales and sign-ups, as long as the offer is strong.

5. Streaming and connected TV ads.
Ads shown on streaming apps and smart TVs. They can often be targeted more precisely, and the viewing is more on-demand. A good way to reach people who no longer watch traditional channels.

6. Seasonal and festive ads.
These aren’t a separate format, but they’re worth mentioning. Raya, CNY, Deepavali and year-end are when many Malaysian brands go big, because families gather and viewing goes up. Slots fill early, so plan ahead.

The Good Side of TV Advertising

• It’s rich and emotional. Sight, sound and story together make a memorable impression.
• It can reach a broad audience. A single channel can speak to many households at once.
• It builds trust. Many people feel a brand seen on TV is established.
• It supports other media. A TV ad can lift your digital ads, billboards and radio because people already recognise you.
• It suits family decisions. Many purchases, like furniture, food, education and healthcare, are decided by the household together, and TV is often watched together.

The Not-So-Good Side

Let’s be honest about the limits too.

• Production takes effort and budget. A good ad needs planning, scripting, filming and editing, and that’s on top of airtime.
• It’s harder to target tightly. Unless you choose your channel and slot carefully, some of your airtime reaches people who’ll never buy from you.
• Measuring is indirect. You won’t get a click-by-click report. You’ll rely on promo codes, enquiries and “how did you hear about us?”.
• Viewing habits are changing. Some people have moved to streaming and short video, so your audience may be split across screens.
• Ads can be skipped mentally. Viewers might grab their phone during the break, so your ad has to work hard in the first few seconds.
• One short run rarely does much. Like most traditional media, TV works through repetition.

Which Type Fits Which Business?

Here are a few made-up examples to show how the choice might play out. (The businesses are fictional.)

• A new restaurant chain wanting fast awareness: Spot ads on a popular channel in the evening, backed by a festive push.
• A kitchenware brand: Product placement in a cooking programme, where the product naturally belongs.
• A tuition centre targeting parents: Spot ads during family or education slots, with a clear WhatsApp action.
• A smaller local brand testing the waters: Streaming or connected TV, where targeting is tighter and the commitment can be smaller.
• A seasonal retailer: Direct response ads during the festive period, with a clear offer and end date.

The point isn’t that one type is better. It’s that each does a different job.

Questions to Ask Before You Choose

1. What am I trying to do? Build awareness, drive sales or launch something new?
2. Who am I trying to reach? Which language, age group and viewing time?
3. Can I run it long enough? TV needs repetition to stick.
4. Do I have a clear message? One idea, one action.
5. How will I track it? A promo code or WhatsApp keyword helps a lot.
6. What else is in my mix? TV works best alongside other media.

TV Works Better With Friends

Few brands rely on TV alone. Someone sees your ad at home, notices your digital billboard on the way to work, then sees a reminder on social media. Each touchpoint makes the others work harder. Keep your look and message consistent across them.

Choosing Your Screen Time Wisely

TV advertising isn’t one thing. It’s a handful of formats, each with its own strengths, and the right one depends on your goal, your audience and your budget. The trick is to match the type to the job, not to pick the biggest or flashiest option.

If you’re weighing up your options, the team at Avyan is happy to talk it through. Drop us a message anytime. No hard sell, just an honest conversation about which kind of TV advertising might suit your business.

TV Is Not Just for Big Brands Anymore. But It Is Not for Everyone Either

Walk into any mamak at 9pm and the telly is on. Drama, news, football, a cooking show nobody asked for. Everyone is watching something, and somewhere between the shows, a brand is paying for your attention.

So the question every small business owner asks at some point: can I be that brand?

Short answer, yes. Longer answer, it depends on your budget, your timing and what you actually want from it. Let’s go through it properly, so you decide with open eyes.

Yes, Small Businesses Can Do It. The Door Is Not Locked.

There is no rule that says only big names get airtime. A TV station cares that your ad meets its standards and that the booking is paid for. It does not care how many outlets you have.

What has changed is the range of ways in. If you want to advertise on television without a national blockbuster budget, you now have more options than a single expensive prime-time slot. Which is good news, because prime time and a small budget rarely get along.

Where Small Businesses Actually Show Up on TV

Here are the routes most smaller advertisers explore:

• Spot ads in selected time bands. You buy short slots around specific shows or times of day. Off-peak slots are usually kinder to your wallet than prime time, though fewer people watch.
• Regional or niche channels. If your customers sit in one area or share one language, a channel built for that audience can make more sense than a mass-market one.
• Pay TV and streaming platforms. Some let you aim at certain audiences or regions. Availability changes, so ask what is on offer right now.
• Sponsorship or tie-ins. A small brand sometimes backs a segment or a show feature instead of buying plain spots.
• A shorter ad. A tight 10 or 15 second spot can be easier on both airtime and production.

Our read: don’t start with the biggest channel. Start with the one your customer already watches.

The Cost Is Not Just the Airtime

This is where first-timers get caught out. The slot is only one line in the bill. You also need to think about:

• Production. Script, filming, editing, voice-over, music. A clean, simple ad can cost much less than a big concept, but it still needs doing properly.
• Repetition. One airing rarely does much. TV works when people see your ad several times, so your budget has to cover a run, not a single moment.
• Approvals and revisions. Time spent fixing a script is time you are not on air.
• Support afterwards. If TV sends people to your shop, your website or your WhatsApp, those places need to be ready for the rush.

We are deliberately not quoting numbers here. Rates shift by channel, time slot, season and demand, so ask for current rate cards rather than trusting a figure from a random article.

Know the Rules Before You Film Anything

Broadcast ads in Malaysia have to follow content guidelines, and some categories face tighter checks than others. Think health claims, financial offers, food and beverage claims, and anything involving children or religion.

Before you spend money on production, ask the station or your media agency three things:

1. What are the content rules for your product category?
2. How long does approval usually take?
3. What happens if your ad needs changes after filming?

Finding out after you’ve paid for a shoot is a painful way to learn.

When TV Might Be Too Early for You

Let’s be honest, because nobody else will be. TV may not be the right first move if:

• You have a single outlet and customers walk in from only a few streets away. A wide broadcast reaches a lot of people who will never visit.
• You can’t handle a sudden jump in orders or enquiries.
• Your budget only covers one or two airings. That’s closer to a gamble than a campaign.
• You haven’t yet figured out what makes you different. TV is a loud room, and a vague message disappears quickly.

None of this means “never”. It means “not yet”, and there is no shame in that. Radio, outdoor and digital screens can build your name first, and TV can come later when you’ve outgrown them.

A Made-Up Example to Make It Real

Here is a fictional case, just for illustration. Imagine a bakery with six outlets across Johor, all within the same state. Their customers love the bread but half the state has never heard of the brand.

They skip national prime time. Instead they book a short ad on a regional-leaning channel, in a few well-chosen time bands, and run it over several weeks so people see it more than once. The ad is simple: warm bread, a familiar kampung-style setting, one clear message about where to find them.

Notice what they did right. Small area, simple message, repeat exposure, and outlets ready for the extra footfall. That’s the pattern worth borrowing.

Five Questions to Ask Before You Start

Before you sign anything, check you can answer these:

1. Who exactly am I trying to reach, and what do they watch?
2. What is my budget for the whole campaign, not just the airtime?
3. What single action should viewers take afterwards?
4. Is my business ready for more customers than usual?
5. How will I know whether it worked?

If you can answer all five without guessing, you are closer to ready than most. If not, you’ve just saved yourself an expensive lesson.

You can compare other routes in our guide to “television advertising options in Malaysia”, or look at how TV sits next to radio and outdoor billboards before settling on a plan.

Do the Sums First, Then Switch On

TV can absolutely work for small businesses that want to advertise on television, as long as the plan is shaped around your size and not borrowed from a big brand. Start small, aim narrow, repeat your message, and make sure your shop or website is ready for the attention.

Still weighing it up? Send us your rough budget and the area you want to reach. We’ll tell you straight whether TV makes sense now or whether something smaller should go first. Avyan is just a message away on the contact page.

TV Isn’t Just for the Big Brands

Think of the ads you remember from growing up. The Raya ones that made the whole family tear up. The jingle you can still sing in the shower. Chances are, you saw them on TV, probably while eating dinner with your family.

Many business owners assume television is out of reach, too expensive and too complicated. It’s more approachable than you’d think. If you’ve been wondering how to advertise on television without feeling lost, here’s a simple step-by-step guide.

Why Television Still Works

TV is still part of daily life for many Malaysian households. Families gather for the evening news, drama slots, sports and festive specials. A few reasons businesses still use it:

• Sight, sound and story. You can show your product, tell a story and add music, all in one go.
• Shared viewing. Families often watch together, so one ad can reach several people at once.
• Credibility. Many people feel a brand that appears on TV is established and trustworthy.
• Reach. A single channel can speak to a very wide audience, from kampung to city.

Step 1: Set a Clear Goal

Before anything else, decide what the ad is for. Are you:

• Introducing a new brand or product?
• Promoting a seasonal sale or festive offer?
• Getting people to visit a new outlet?
• Building your name over the long term?

Your goal shapes everything else, from the message to the channel. A launch might need a big burst of airtime. A steady brand-builder might run longer at a lighter pace.

Step 2: Know Who You’re Talking To

Malaysia is a mix of languages and viewing habits, so “everyone” is not an audience. Think about who your customers are:

• Which language do they watch in: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil or English?
• Are they young adults, parents, or older viewers?
• When are they home and watching?

A tuition centre targeting parents might think about evening and weekend viewing. A sports brand might think about match nights. The more specific you are, the less airtime you waste.

Step 3: Choose Your Channel and Programme

Not all channels are the same. Broadly, you’ll be choosing between:

• Free-to-air channels, which can reach a wide, mass audience.
• Pay-TV channels, which often focus on specific interests like news, sports, kids or lifestyle.
• Streaming and connected TV, which can suit brands that want a more targeted, digital-style approach alongside traditional TV.

Then think about programmes and time slots. Prime time is popular but busy. Other slots may suit smaller budgets or niche audiences. Listen to your audience first: watch what your customers watch, then match your ad to it.

Step 4: Plan Your Budget

TV costs vary a lot depending on the channel, the time slot, the length of your ad, how often it runs, and how much you spend on making it. Rather than guess a number, share your budget range early with a media partner and ask them to build a plan around it. A smaller, well-planned campaign usually beats a rushed, expensive one.

Two things to ask about:

• What’s included in the airtime package?
• What are the production costs on top of airtime?

Step 5: Create an Ad That Works

A TV ad has a lot to do in a short time. Most run for 15, 30 or 60 seconds, so keep the message tight.

• Open with a hook. You have a few seconds to stop people from reaching for their phones.
• Tell one story. One message, one offer, one idea.
• Show, don’t just tell. Use visuals to do the explaining.
• Say your name clearly. Repeat it, and show your logo.
• End with one action. Visit, call, WhatsApp or search for you online.
• Think about sound. Many people hear the ad from the kitchen, so make sure it works even if they aren’t looking at the screen.

Here’s a made-up example to show the shape. A small bakery, “Rasa Kita”, opens with a family rushing out the door in the morning, tosses in a quick shot of warm bread, a friendly line like “Sarapan siap, kita gerak!”, and ends with the shop name and address. It’s simple, relatable and easy to remember. (The bakery and the line are fictional.)

Step 6: Plan the Schedule

When and how often your ad runs matters as much as how good it is.

• Run it long enough. One airing won’t stick. Repetition is how people remember you.
• Think about timing. Festive periods are busy, so book early if you want a spot before Raya, CNY, Deepavali or year-end.
• Keep the message consistent. Don’t change the ad every week, or people won’t recognise it.

Step 7: Track What Happens

TV isn’t as easy to measure as a click, but you can still see signs of progress:

• Use a special promo code or WhatsApp keyword that appears only in your TV ad.
• Ask new customers, “How did you hear about us?”
• Watch for more searches for your brand name, more calls and more walk-ins while the ad runs.
• Compare these numbers to the weeks before your campaign.

Use what you learn to adjust the next round, whether that’s the channel, the time slot or the message.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Trying to say too much in too little time
• Choosing a channel because it’s popular, not because your customers watch it
• Running the ad for too short a period
• Forgetting a clear call to action
• Skipping the planning and rushing into production

Pair TV with Other Media

TV works even better as part of a bigger plan. Someone who sees your ad at home, then spots your digital billboard on the way to work, then sees you again on social media, is much more likely to remember you. Keep the message and look the same across everything, so each touchpoint adds to the last.

Ready to Roll Camera?

You don’t need to be a household name to advertise on television. You need a clear goal, a defined audience, the right channel and a simple message that people remember. Take it one step at a time, and it gets a lot less intimidating.

If you’d like help working out which channels and slots suit your business, the team at Avyan is happy to chat. Drop us a message anytime. No hard sell, just a friendly conversation about whether you should advertise on television and how to do it well.