What is Gruen on ABC TV?
Gruen is an Australian television show on the ABC that analyses advertising, marketing and branding. Hosted by comedian Wil Anderson, it features a panel of advertising experts who explain how ads persuade people.
The show began in 2008 as The Gruen Transfer, named after the moment when shoppers in a shopping centre become distracted and forget what they came to buy, a concept linked to architect Victor Gruen.
Regular panellists Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft, both advertising executives, became well known for their sharp insights, joined by a rotating guest panellist.
The Pitch
A popular segment, The Pitch, challenges two advertising agencies to create ads for impossible products or causes, such as convincing people to support an unpopular idea. The audience votes for the winner.
The show has spawned spin-offs, including Gruen Nation, which looked at political advertising during election campaigns.
Gruen has won several Logie Awards and is one of the ABC's longest-running and most popular entertainment programs. It has helped viewers think more critically about advertising and spin.
Did You Know?
Victor Gruen was an Austrian-born American architect who pioneered the modern shopping mall.