What Spartan Women Can Teach Us About Advertising
Chroniclers say their goodbye was a short, “with it or on it.” The “it” was the Spartan shield.
Say Cheese Now Smile
When you set a course to entertain, persuasion can still be a destination. The limerick can be your vehicle. It’s persuasion with the top down. The clown car body encases a Honda engine (colorful, but reliable).
Cubicalls: Press Pause
"Is this that transactional-relational thing?" “I think so. Her business should be relational." “Why?" "We’ve been taking Buffy to our groomer for 10 years. You ever bathed and brushed a Bichon? Our groomer isn’t the cheapest. But I never miss an appointment."
Hands Up…Who’s Hiring?
"Mike, look, the post office is hiring,” Bob tipped his head at the encased poster, “but you're past the age limit." "Hey Bob. Yeah, you wouldn't get away with a recruitment ad like that these days." Mike smiled.
Cubicalls: The Cancellation
"Yeah, they were on for 6 months. But they don't want to renew. Some employees bought the business. She said they'd think about it in the spring.” "What business?" "That HVAC outfit. We had some great ads."
Sowing Rhetoric, HARVesting Attention
In another post, I lauded Paul Harvey’s “So God made a farmer” speech for its message. Mining it for rhetorical ore in this post feels a little sacrilegious…almost like making an ad out of it. Wait. I didn’t mean that.
Not a Farmer? Check Your Heart!
Dear Intrepid Entrepreneur, if you have the heart of a farmer, you're already a success. What? Explain! On Super Sunday, February 3, 2013, Dodge aired this legendary ad. Take two minutes and listen.
Bee Aware – The Magic of the Misspelled Word
One misspelled word charged my life. My fifth-grade brain was warehousing words in preparation for the fifth-grade spelling bee. The lower reaches were easy. The harder words were shelved on tippy toes and ladders.
A Helping Grand or How to Start a Movement Revisited
On November 19th, the owners of our local radio stations in our small city began sharing some of Santa PAC-man’s cash with its two primary clients: listeners and advertisers.
The Bard, the Beatles, and Beyond
McCartney rocks and Shakespeare roles and both showmen move their audiences with antithesis. Steal a gift from Paul and Will. Use antithesis in your writing.
The Remarkable Taste Text
Roy H. Williams says, "Advertising is a tax we pay for not being remarkable." Dixon melons are sliced into juicy, axiom-proving-bites. Besides their remarkable taste, Dixon melons are available only for a limited time in small quantities.
The Verb’s the Thing
“No One OutPizzas the Hut” What does that say to you? Does it refer to taste? The dining experience? Carry out or delivery? It says it all.
Seek a Hire Power
Powerful recruiting radiates from employee perspectives, multiple, authentic voices, implied meaning, and indirect targeting. First, start with Rule One.
No script? No problem.
When she came to record her public service announcement (PSA) about how she saved her home from wildfire, she had no script. “No problem. Let’s talk. I’ll turn on the microphone.”
Collaboration in Campaign or How Fudd became Bud
Sometimes in creative corners, collaboration is a four-letter word, like “Nyet.” But, recognizing a good idea and building on it is a resounding, “Da” (Sounds like DUH.)