I’m not sure it was as good as the first effort, but still very worthwhile viewing. Gotta admire the chutzpah of the Tourism Folks who seized the moment to put Rockford on the radar!
Posts Tagged ‘advertising’
Rockford, Illinois Part Deux
Thursday, March 10th, 2011Talking to your audience
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011I wish we were able to deliver something half this amazing for a “Dont Text and Drive” campaign we’re working on in Hooterville. This is simply genius stuff and talks directly to the target audience with substantial impact…for virtually no budget. Click the link and be impressed.
Life in the Small Shop
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011I’ve been horrible blogger, posting nothing for some time. But far more important matters have had to come before this indulgence.
I lost my mother last September and am now in “charge” of caring for an almost 96 year old, and still quite sharp, grandmother. (She has stayed with me during the Blizzard of the Century and I now know that constant chatter DOES run in the family.)
My colleague (and BFF) just lost his mother at a very young 71 years. She was the kind of woman I can only hope to be.
In our Small Shop, indulgences are set aside to keep the plates spinning. We are just four people who all possess a particular set of skills, with an army of independent contractors at the ready. There isn’t another person or department to write the spot, shoot the video, design the ad, or file the paperwork. We are each an entrepreneur in our own right, depending on the skills of the other to make it all go. We need each other to survive.
Although I’ve never worked in a big agency, I imagine there may be a lot of time wasted stepping around big egos. Who has time for this? We have customers to steer through a clients door. There are clients who must be led, taught, scolded, loved, and tended to. Whether its in Hooterville or nationwide, is the objective really so different?
So blogging will take a back seat as real life whirls by. We must be accountable to one another because the business plan depends on it.
I’m the cute one on the right.
Selling Stupid
Friday, November 12th, 2010Over the last several months (hell, maybe years) the performance of those folks who sell local media time and space has become so inept, it’s like a bad sitcom. Imagine the fat, lazy Network TV girl who always asks “What are we running this month?” while she chomps her gum. The radio girl who quite openly uncrosses her legs in front of male clients, hoping to usurp any rational decision. Then there’s the really obese Cable girl who takes a fiendish delight in pointing out a $2 error. But the really interesting douchebag of recent note is the newspaper salesguy. He’s all passive aggressive, refusing to accept the fact that being the agency means WE place the buy, not his designer pal in the clients office. “You’re not my client. They’re my client.” Really? His emasculation is on the calendar.
I started by selling radio many years ago…before the FCC screwed the broadcast industry by allowing anyone a license to broadcast. My sales manager preached the problem-solving approach to selling a client. Is there any other way?
So, Dear Time-and-Space-Sales Guys/Gals: Don’t breeze into my office without an appointment. Do NOT pitch me a 2 by 3 space on the Pet of the Month page. I do NOT want to buy 15 spots during School Safety Week. Do Not tell me EVERYONE listens to your pathetic little radio station. And DO NOT ever, ever say to me, “You mean you don’t want to put your client in front of the 750 attendees of the Cooking School we’re hosting?”
Just because you’re in Hooterville doesn’t mean you have to sell like it.
Are YOU Dog Enough?
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010Thanks to sullieseverything for this find. Such a sweet spot. I love the British.
My Political Year
Thursday, October 28th, 2010If you’re in advertising, in any size market, you gotta be excited when November 3rd arrives. Political Ad Season is despised by just about everyone I’ve met…in and OUT of the business. The money spent is a testament to the size of the egos and amount of power to be had … no matter what level – even a small town. It makes me sick considering my local women’s shelter has just had to cut two more beds and turn away more women and their kids.
This is the first time in 28 + years we’ve been deluged by politicians. Media buying, copywriting, video shooting, audio taping, meeting, checks flying, e-mailing, phone calling, pre-empting (“You got bumped. Would you let us put you in Monday Night Wrestling?”)…it goes on. While none of the ones we worked with are bad people, I wouldn’t want them as regular clients.
The political marketing process on this level (and maybe others, though I doubt it) is “shoot from the hip, last minute decisions, a large amount of posturing, and waaay too many Indians.” Ya know, guys, if it’s that important, then why didn’t you spend more time planning….it’s not like you didn’t know when it was going to be November 2nd.
We don’t formulate the “message”, we just make it look good. We didn’t have anyone as titillating as Christine O’Donnell, (what an opportunity-this is my FAVORITE one) but we hope our guys win Tuesday. Then we can get back to work.
Real Estate Masturbation
Monday, October 11th, 2010I’m trying to sell my house on my own. Maybe I should hire this guy. Birth certificate available on request. Seriously? (VIA)
Small town political
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010I havent posted lately due to a) overwork b) charity wine tasting events c) a sudden rush of local politicians wanting our services d) all of the above. I’ve always assumed there is a special voodoo when it comes to political advertising. But is there?
Many politicians are attorneys. I sat in a room with three of them, listening and watching as they reasoned their way to each conclusion. It was interesting for a minute, until I realized none of them REALLY knew what they were talking about. Like all clients, they were basing marketing decisions on their own personal experience, rather than looking at a broader, objective and researched view. (Yes, even in Hooterville we’re a Nielsen market and have data to drive SOME decisions.) And I understand the “sale” in politics is a person, an ego, and subsequently, power, money and control. So it’s important….although no more important to our furniture client than selling that sofa. But I digress.
Anyway, their critique of the first pass was hysterical.
“His delivery was too light and airy…it needs to be more of a hemorrhoid moment. Why is he smiling? He’s running for JUDGE, for Gods sake.”
“We HAVE to reshoot. The sagging bag under my neck is awful…can’t you adjust the lighting?”
“My wife doesn’t like the shot of me walking up the stairs.”
“Didn’t the shot of me walking the dog work out?”
“We’re in GO MODE. When can we be on the air?”
Settle down, gentlemen. My meter is running.
Braininajar
Thursday, September 16th, 2010This is better than the Ray Lewis effort, which I thought was waaaay lame.
“Unspeakable horror.” HA!
Which demo is this exactly??
Friday, September 10th, 2010I assume this person has money to spend on some of my clients products and services…he/she can afford a fancy haircut.
