These are rare examples of the posters supplied to newsagencies by magazine publishers to be displayed outside paper shops to promote sales. They date from the late 1980s and illustrate which Australian and international TV personalities were popular at that time. Soap stars and game show hosts dominate the headlines on these particular posters,which provide a graphic illustration of the rising popularity of the Grundy soap 'Neighbours' at this time.

'TV Week' is a popular magazine that lists the week's television programs and contains articles about shows and personalities. Launched in 1957 as 'TV-Radio Week', the magazine was soon renamed 'TV Week'. Late in 1958 the magazine included coupons for its Melbourne readers to vote for the first 'TV Week awards', which were presented early the following year, when Graham Kennedy was named 'TV Star of the Year'. He later named the awards 'the Logies' in honour of John Logie Baird. The Gold Logie was introduced in 1960 and first won by Kennedy. In 1961 the awards went national, with state and national awards. The Logies are still Australian television's annual awards.

'TV Week' is a medium by which television public relations and marketing people propagate publicity about personalities and programs. If Australia has a distinctive television culture, then 'TV Week' is its voice. It remains the country's leading television magazine and continues to run the Logie awards. Most Logie award winners are determined by the votes of 'TV Week' readers.

Peter Cox
Curator, Australian history & society
June 2010

The posters were printed by Southdown Press, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 1987 and 1988.

The advertising posters were collected by the donor in 1987 and 1988. He worked for a stationer in Balmain and, while commuting to work, noticed the posters displayed at a city newsagency. He asked the newsagent to give the posters to him and picked one up each week. Each poster had been displayed outside the newsagency for a week, which accounts for the slightly weathered condition.

Advertising posters (9), 'TV Week', paper, printed by Southdown Press, Melbourne, Australia, 1987-1988

Nine portrait-format advertising posters designed for 'TV Week' magazine to be displayed on newsagency billboards. Each poster features a colour photographic image of one or two Australian television personalities and has headlines relating to various soap opera storylines printed on the front. The posters are printed on white newsprint.

Made: Southdown Press Pty Ltd; Melbourne, Victoria; 1987 - 1988

See part records.

2010/57/1

1987 - 1988