<P> In Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, Guinness launched a $8 million advertising campaign using the fictional character of Adam King to promote the embodiment of Guinness as a man could be incredibly powerful . The advertising campaign was handled by advertising firm, Saatchi & Saatchi . </P> <P> In Africa, the character of Michael Power has been used since 1999 to boost sales . </P> <P> Today, Guinness' principal television campaign in North America consists of limited animation commercials featuring two eccentric scientists in 19th - century dress complimenting one another's ideas as "brilliant!" </P> <P> Absolut vodka is made in Sweden and was introduced to the United States in the year 1979 . Its launch was a true challenge due to a variety of factors: Sweden was not perceived as a vodka - producing country, the bottle was very awkward for bartenders to use, and vodka was perceived as a cheap, tasteless drink . Absolut's advertising campaign by TBWA exploited the shape of the bottle to create clever advertisements that caused people to become involved in the advertising, and the brand took off . Before Absolut, there were very few distinctions in the vodka category . Today there are regular, premium, and superpremium vodkas each at different price points and qualities . Flavored vodkas have become ubiquitous and may be found commonly at regular and premium price points . </P>

When did they start advertising alcohol on tv