+43 664 81 97 894 - the hotline for radical, innovative and sustainable strategies.

HERZBLUAT
Management consultancy
Marketing &
Advertising agency

Salzburg, Austria

+43 664 81 97 894 - the hotline for radical, innovative and sustainable strategies.

HERZBLUAT
Management consultancy
Marketing &
Advertising agency

Salzburg, Austria

The history of political communication and election advertising in Austria shows numerous changes and developments that are crucial for the dynamics of the political landscape and the voting behaviour of citizens.

This blogpost gives an overview of the development of political advertising in Austria from 1946 to the present day, analyses the underlying methods and strategies and examines what has changed, what has remained the same and what impact these developments have had on voters.
In addition, a comparison is made with other European countries to find out whether Austria has a special position in this respect.

Changes and constants from 1946 to today

Political and election advertising in Austria compared over time

Beginnings, television age, internet age - the three time periods

The beginnings: 1946-1960s

After the Second World War, Austria's political landscape was characterised by two-party dominance, with the Austrian Socialist Party (SPÖ) and the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) holding most of the political power.

During this period, election advertising was mainly limited to posters, leaflets and newspaper advertisements, while radio and cinema advertising did not yet play a major role.

The Television Age: 1960s to 1980s

With the advent of television in the 1960s, election advertising changed fundamentally. Television advertising became an important platform for political messages and enabled parties to present their causes to a wider audience.

This period also saw the emergence of the first political talk shows, which gave voters a more direct insight into the candidates' personalities and positions.

The Internet Age: 1990s - Today

Another paradigm shift in political communication occurred with the introduction of the internet in the 1990s.

The web offered parties and candidates an even wider reach and enabled a more targeted approach to the electorate.

In recent years, the importance of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for election campaigns has increased enormously.

Change and impact

Change and continuities

Despite technological development, some aspects of political advertising in Austria have remained the same.

These include, for example, the emphasis on personal characteristics of candidates and the use of symbols and slogans to convey political messages.

However, the strategies and methods used to convey these messages have changed greatly over time.

Impact on the electorate

The constant evolution of political advertising also affects the voting behaviour of citizens.

On the one hand, the new communication channels enable better information gathering and more direct access to political content.

On the other hand, the abundance of information and the possibility of targeted addressing in social media can also lead to an echo chamber effect, where only opinions and information that confirm one's own views are consumed.

Comparison with other European countries

Compared to other European countries, the development of political advertising in Austria shows both similarities and differences.

In general, technological developments, especially television and the internet, have similar effects on political communication across Europe.

Election posters - an Austrian specificity

A specific difference in Austria, however, is the strong presence of billboard advertising in the election campaign.

While posters are increasingly losing importance in other countries, they are still an important part of the political advertising landscape in Austria.

Political advertising and election advertising in Austria - what is the summary?

Political advertising in Austria has changed a lot over time, mainly due to technological innovations.

From the beginnings with posters and leaflets to the television age and the digital revolution, the way political messages are spread has changed fundamentally.

The effects of these changes on voters are manifold, ranging from better information to echo chamber effects.

A comparison with other European countries shows that political advertising in Austria has both similarities and differences, with the strong role of poster advertising being particularly noteworthy.

Overall, political advertising in Austria remains an exciting field that will continue to be shaped by technological developments and changing communication habits. It remains to be seen which new trends and methods will establish themselves in the future and how they will influence political events and the voting behaviour of Austrians.