RTP2 is broadcasting, on Tuesdays at 9:00 pm, the documentary series “Intervalo para Publicidade”, dedicated to the history of advertising in Portugal. Among the invited experts participating in the project are lecturers from ESCS, Prof. Jorge Veríssimo and Prof. João Barros, highlighting the institution’s role as a reference point in teaching and critical reflection on communication and advertising in the country.

Across its six episodes, the documentary traces the evolution of advertising from street cries and the press to today’s digital landscape, examining the impact of cinema, radio, television, the post-25 April democratisation period, and Portugal’s entry into European modernity. The narrative culminates in the digital revolution, addressing topics such as social media, influencers, artificial intelligence, and the sector’s new ethical and creative challenges.

The participation of lecturers from ESCS is particularly significant in bringing a well-grounded academic perspective into the public sphere, combining research, critical thinking and professional experience. Their contribution helps to historically contextualise advertising in Portugal, as well as to understand its role both as a mirror of society and as a driver of social transformation.

More than a simple retrospective, “Intervalo para Publicidade” offers a reflection on advertising as a space of tension between commerce and culture, art and industry. The presence of lecturers from ESCS in this project highlights the institution’s engagement with contemporary debates on communication, creativity and social responsibility, demonstrating the impact of academic knowledge on the analysis of media phenomena.

The documentary series is available on the RTP Play platform.

Text by the ESCS Communication Service.
Image courtesy of RTP