Key Ingredients of an Automotive Spot, Part II: What’s the Ideal Automotive Spot Length?

The subject of the ideal automotive spot length should be closely examined before executing a monthly advertising campaign. It is certainly an important factor when predicting and, ultimately, gauging the effectiveness of conveying the intended message to the target audience. Here at JKR Automotive Advertising & Marketing, we’re often asked about this very thing.

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, there are factors to consider when determining the proper duration.

Radio and television spots are generally either 15, 30 or 60 seconds long and, of course, vary in price depending on duration, among other factors. So … should a dealer opt for a longer spot that allows for more information; or should they choose a shorter spot that could perhaps be given more airplay due to the cheaper rate? Let’s discuss!

Pros and Cons of a :15 Spot
One of the unique uses of a 15-second spot is utilizing them as “bookends”. It’s essentially a 30-second spot broken up into a pair of 15-second ads, which helps combat a frequency issue with a dealer whose budget might be smaller than some others. On the negative side, research has shown that the recall abilities of consumers are lower with a :15 spot than that of its longer counterparts.

Pros and Cons of a :30 Spot
For starters, the obvious: A 30-second spot will be less expensive to air and produce than a 60-second spot, and 30 seconds is ample time to get your message across in many instances. In the case of an automobile dealer with co-op guidelines to follow, it may be difficult to get all pertinent information into a spot, add in the elements to make it co-op eligible, and still achieve some degree of creativity.

Pros and Cons of a :60 Spot
Other than price, there really is no downside to a 60-second spot. They provide more room for creativity and storytelling. Advertisers can take their time to develop a narrative, engage viewers emotionally, and captivate their attention for a longer duration. The extra half-minute can be particularly impactful for campaigns with a specific target audience or spots requiring specific co-op terminology to be compliant.

What’s the Answer?
Ultimately, the best length for an automotive spot length – Radio or TV – depends on the specific circumstances, budget and objectives of the advertising campaign. If you’re unsure what’s best for you, give JKR Automotive Advertising a call today at (321) 397-0777 and we’ll help you come to the correct decision.

In our next blog, we’ll continue highlighting the elements that make up a great automotive advertisement. This time, we’ll take a closer look at automobile dealers who choose to be the spokespeople for their stores.

JKR Automotive Advertising: We Move Cars.