University of Colorado Boulder

Designing Breakthrough Timed Commercials

University of Colorado Boulder

Designing Breakthrough Timed Commercials

Dan Ligon

Instructor: Dan Ligon

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Create effective timed advertisements for television, radio, social media, and online video using strong concepts, scripts, and clear storytelling.

  • Study the history of classic and modern commercials to learn how timing, structure, and performance create breakthrough advertisements.

  • Create commercials designed to stand out, hold attention, and communicate memorably in fast, time-limited media formats.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Recently updated!

March 2026

Assessments

19 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Designing Breakthrough Advertisements and Commercials Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

Timed commercials are a different kind of advertisement. The exist for moments in time then are over. We will study and explore the different kinds of timed commercials you may be tasked to make, highlight some of the basics and the challenges of production. And discover how writing scripts for live announcer reads applies to social media and influencer maker.

What's included

12 videos4 assignments

While they may feel old-fashioned, Live Announcer Reads and spot radio commercials are alive and well thanks to social media influencers and podcasters. Both mediums tap advertisements that are "audio only," sometimes pre-recorded, sometimes read live. This modules takes you through the history of radio commercials and live announcer reads, and gives you exercises and best-practices to create better scripts and spots for both.

What's included

9 videos5 assignments

Long form advertisements also known as branded entertainment present a different challenge to designers, namely how does one keep audiences engaged and entertained for more than a few minutes? And testimonials, the next best thing to word-of-mouth advertising, have to be based in truth, thanks to to the abuses of some less-than-forthright advertisements from years past. How to think about and design these timed commercials, and make them break through the clutter, will be the focus of this module.

What's included

12 videos4 assignments

For many decades, the reigning king of advertisements was the TV commercial. Few advertisements are more visible of effective. We'll explore the history, the creativity, and the challenges associated with designing TV commercials. And we'll discover methods and technique to craft original tv commercials of your own. And we'll delve into how these advertisements are finding new life on social channels and streaming services. Finally, we'll explore the watch-outs and opportunities when producing TV commercials on your own.

What's included

14 videos5 assignments

The Final Challenge: Ideate, write and pitch your concept for your very own television commercial.

What's included

1 video1 assignment

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Dan Ligon
University of Colorado Boulder
1 Course 255 learners

Offered by

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¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.