The Best Episodes of Gruen
Last Updated: Nov 2, 2018
The Gruen Transfer is about advertising, how it works, and how it works on us. It decodes and defuses the commercial messages that swirl through our lives, with the help of a panel of ad industry experts. From Season 5 the show was renamed "Gruen Planet" and expanded the topics covered to include political and commercial "spin" as well as advertising. In 2015 it was re-named again as simply "Gruen"
#1 - Burgers
Season 2 - Episode 10
In this episode : How Do You Sell: Hamburgers, Ad of the Week: GE sexy mine workers, The Pitch: Make Australians give up their public holidays
9.40
#2 - Diets
Season 2 - Episode 5
In this episode : How Do You Sell: Weightloss, Ad of The Week: Sexual Abuse, The Pitch: The GFC's effect on CEOs
9.20
#3 - Cereal
Season 2 - Episode 6
In this episode : How Do You Sell: Breakfast Cereal, Ad of The Week: The Million Project, The Pitch: Cosmetic Surgery for Children
9.17
#4 - The Pope
Season 7 - Episode 4
As he tours the USA, Gruen looks at Pope Francis as a brand, & all the brands who are cashing in on him; the stuffed-crust pizza wars; & a pitch to restore our faith in politicians, from the next generation of creatives.
9.00
#5 - Religion
Season 3 - Episode 9
9.00
#6 - Airlines
Season 3 - Episode 12
Wil Anderson, Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft are joined by Matt Eastwood and Bridget Taylor on the final episode for this series. On How Do You Sell? we look at airlines and On the Pitch - NZ and Australia One Country.
9.00
#7 - Infomercials
Season 3 - Episode 11
9.00
#8 - Yourself
Season 2 - Episode 8
In this episode : How Do You Sell: Yourself, Ad of The Week: Coca Cola's Health Claims, The Pitch: Cane Toads For Pets
9.00
#9 - Razors
Season 3 - Episode 8
8.75
#10 - Road Safety
Season 1 - Episode 7
Wil, Todd, and Russel are joined by Bridget Taylor and Dan Gregory to decide what kind of commercial endorsement would be appropriate for John Howard, How Do You Sell... road safety ads, The Pitch: Invading New Zealand, Ad of the Week: Cheap warehouse ads & the Gruen Beauty Shouty Ad. The show finishes with a parody of a shouty ad, for 'Power Thirst'.
8.75
#11 - Online Dating & Apple Watch
Season 9 - Episode 2
The 100th episode of the show that unpicks the dark arts of advertising, branding & spin. How to sell online dating when the product is you. A new Apple Watch campaign which is a matter of life & death. The Pitch smashes brand avocado & a look at who we were & how far we've come in Ads You Couldn't Make in 2017.
8.75
#12 - MasterChef
Season 3 - Episode 3
How do you Sell? Exploring how advertising sells MasterChef and how MasterChef sells you. Raking in cash through ad sales, product placement and merchandising. The Pitch: Western Australia should become it's own country Ad Crunch: Analysing a provocative World Wildlife Fund ad, what does this piece of communication acheive and how effective is it.
8.75
#13 - Red Meat
Season 2 - Episode 9
In this episode : How Do You Sell: Meat, Ad of The Week: Speight's Beer, The Pitch: Fat Pride
8.75
#14 - Insurance
Season 3 - Episode 10
8.67
#15 - 3D Television
Season 3 - Episode 5
How do you Sell Televisions? The biggest purchase most people will make after a house and car how do they get you to buy their brand? The Pitch: Urine Ad of the week: McDonalds introduction of the Mighty Angus and the Gand Angus campaine was their most successful launch. What made sale increase to the tune of an extra $2 million a week?
8.67
#16 - Feminine Hygiene
Season 1 - Episode 6
Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft and guests Jane Caro and Matt Eastwood make up this week's panel. The segments are What's This Ad For? a French crime channel ad. How Do You Sell... feminine hygiene products. The Pitch for child labour. Ad of the Week: Ricky Ponting's many endorsements.
8.67
#17 - Cleaning Products
Season 3 - Episode 1
How do you Sell? Exploring the techniques and tactics agencies use to sell their Cleaning Products. The Pitch: Save the Blobfish Ad of the week: An indepth discussion of how the Government and Mining Industry have tried to sway public oppinion through their advertising.
8.67
#18 - Undies
Season 1 - Episode 2
Wil Anderson hosts The Gruen Transfer with regular panelists Russel Howcroft and Todd Sampson, and guest panelists Jane Caro and Darryl Parsons. Segments include a competition between two advertising agencies to make an ad for a holiday in Baghdad. Ads critiqued this week: Agent Provocateur - Proof Holeproof - Nothing Bonds - Mash Antz Pantz - Sic 'Em Rex Underdaks - Airport Emporio by Armani - David Beckham Calvin Klein - Mark Wahlberg Ecko Unltd - Still Free Pakistan International Airways - Twin Towers
8.62
#19 - Petrol
Season 2 - Episode 4
In this episode : How Do You Sell: Petrol, Ad of The Week: Damage Control, The Pitch: Synchronised Swimming for Aussie Men
8.60
#20 - The World Cup
Season 3 - Episode 2
How do you Sell? Adidas vs Nike, talking about the techniques and tactics agencies have used to sell their products in and around the World Cup. Time Tunnel:From 1981 hello sexy Nix. The Pitch: Visit Asbestos Ad Crunch: An indepth discussion of Daniel Cox's ad to help make people wear seatbelts, how does this film work and what makes it so affective.
8.60
#21 - Beer
Season 1 - Episode 1
Wil Anderson hosts the first episode of The Gruen Transfer. The panel discuss why beer ads work, the beauty industry and the segment "The Pitch" includes a competition between two advertising agencies to make an ad for whale meat.
8.50
#22 - Supermarket Bag Ban & Unpacking ASMR
Season 10 - Episode 10
On the final Gruen for 2018, the supermarket bag ban - was it a big PR win or a spectacular fail? Unpacking ASMR - an online trend with big brands riding on its coattails. Plus a Pitch to persuade us to abandon banks forever.
8.50
#23 - Smoking
Season 2 - Episode 7
In this episode : How Do You Sell: Tobacco, Ad of The Week: Cruelty to Actors, The Pitch: Bring 2012 Olympics to Australia
8.50
#24 - Australia
Season 2 - Episode 1
In this episode : How Do You Sell: Australia, The Pitch: Nuclear Power, Ad of The Week: CareerBuilder.com
8.50
#25 - Banks
Season 1 - Episode 3
his week's panel included regulars Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft along with guest panelists Bridget Taylor and Matt Eastwood. Ads discussed were: "Transport for London - Moonwalking Bear"; the ads from the four biggest banks in Australia; Chevrolet - Tahoe Anti-Ads; and "Philadelphia Cream Cheese - New Girl in Heaven". The pitch was to make celibacy sexy.
8.50