Here's the old animated ZDF Mainzelmännchen. Ask your SO about the change to the new ones in 2003/4? They were used to demark advertising during at least prime time. There are more modern animations now.

i always thought it was way cool that this society made sure to let people know that what followed on the TV was advertising.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin