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STV ITV Taggart

Broadchurch and Taggart go down the same creative route, three years apart

By Jennifer Faull, Deputy Editor

The Union

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broadchurch article

May 15, 2013 | 2 min read

One doesn’t have to be a police detective to work out that the ad creative for these two crime dramas is remarkably similar.

Back in 2010, The Union devised this campaign for long-running STV drama series Taggart, aiming to create a visually striking campaign “that shook the apathy out of a cynical audience and helped reposition Taggart” and make it as credible as it was back in 1984.

The Union digitally draped police tape over iconic landmarks throughout Glasgow, where the TV show is based, which proved a hit with the audience as Taggart saw a 35 per cent increase in viewing figures shortly after.

Ian McAteer, chairman of The Union told The Drum: "imitation is obviously the greatest form of flattery and I'm proud that we go there with such a great idea first."

Cut to three years later, and hit ITV show Broadchurch appears to have gone down the same creative route. In the promo ads for the series, lead character David Tennant can be seen standing in front of the fictional seaside town which has been covered with blue police tape. To The Drum's knowledge, The Union was not involved in the development of Broadchurch's campaign. They have not yet responded to our request for a comment. The Drum has also contacted STV and ITV and is awaiting response.
STV ITV Taggart

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