Advertising dollars are scarce in the best of times. Competition is always fierce. But in today’s economy, can any businessperson afford to squander his limited advertising budget?

You wouldn’t think so.

There have never been more places for advertisers to gamble with their ad dollars.  Those who are attracted to novelty (“the grass is greener”) are especially vulnerable to salespeople with a new gimmick and a slick pitch.  The sheer number of competitors for local ad dollars is matched only by the mind-numbing stupidity of some of these new alternative forms of advertising.

For instance, over the past few years I’ve watched and winced at the efforts of one company whose business is selling video ads—visual display only, no speech or sound—that run on video monitors mounted on the wall of a grocery store opposite the check stands.  I’ve seen these things in stores throughout the region, including my favorite local supermarket here in town.

Nothing wrong with these stores.  They’re simply providing space and receiving compensation for hosting the monitors, which are operated and maintained by the ad company.  For the supermarket, it’s just good business—leasing a little space to a third party helps pay the bills, while providing a service to their customers, whether it’s a Redbox DVD dispenser, a Coinstar machine, or a carpet cleaner rental depot.

But my interest in this particular enterprise is that of a working advertising professional. I note and observe these things with a critical eye, always wondering, How’s this working for the advertiser, compared to alternative forms of advertising?

The video monitors are mounted eight feet or so above the ground, spaced 20 or 30 feet apart at the end of the checkout lanes (see photo below).

I’ve stood around paying close attention to see if anyone even glances at these things, let alone watches them long enough for an impression to register. Drives me crazy to see all the advertisers they’ve bamboozled, including a few regular radio advertisers but more than a few who have never spent a dime on radio. Isn’t anybody calling on them?

Here’s a view from the vantage point of Suzy Shopper, the captive consumer, standing in line waiting to be checked out. Presumably, instead of watching her groceries being scanned and rung up by the checker, while engaging in a brief, pleasant verbal exchange, Suzy’s head will turn 90 degrees and her eyes will be fastened upon the monitor, as she checks out all the wonderful ads. (Assuming it’s turned on. It’s been dark on more than one occasion.)

Some of the advertisers who’ve bought this package did so on the basis of a telephone pitch; others had the privilege of visiting with the salesperson face-to-face.  Either way, they sign up for a 3- or 6-month contract and wait for the results to come flooding in.

And wait.

And at the end of the contract, they bail.

Based on my observation over the past three years or so, and corroborated by advertisers I’ve talked to about their experience, the renewal rate appears to be: ZERO.  No measurable response, no return on investment…no renewal.

It’s painful to think about all the ad dollars that have been wasted on this garbage “medium.”

However, at the very least it provides an opportunity for a conscientious Radio advertising professional to help a business in dire need of better advice.  What similar opportunities exist at this moment in your market?

If you’re in the business of selling radio advertising these days, you’re presumed to be in the business of providing solutions to your advertisers’ business problems—increasing traffic, creating awareness, helping to ring the till.

Looking for someone to help?  Start talking to any business you see spending money on:

Newspaper display ads
Classified ads
Newspaper inserts and flyers
Weekly “shoppers” and other print publications
Cable TV
Broadcast TV
Magazines
Billboards
Mobile phone ads
Email coupons
Sports programs
Sports pocket schedules
Sports schedule posters
Concert/Event programs
City maps
Concert programs
Yearbooks
Backs of tickets
Bumper stickers
Direct mail
Door hangers
Yellow Pages ads
White Pages ads
Website banners
Search ads
Sponsored links
Bus stop bench ads
Airport panel ads
Hotel window boxes
Mall kiosks
Supermarket video displays
Movie theater ads
Bowling alley score-sheet ads
Restaurant menu ads
Advertising specialties (pens, key chains, etc.)

Undoubtedly I’ve only skimmed the surface.  What other competitors have you run into in your market?  Please feel free to share them by means of the Comment function below.

My friend Phil Bernstein in Portland, OR – a former Clear Channel superstar and now a road warrior with Jim Doyle & Associates sent me these:
-signs in the men’s room
-urinal cake advertising (really!)
-bill stuffers
-airline tray ads
-ticket back advertising

And in typical Phil fashion, he added:  “And our single biggest competitor … doing nothing.”

Amen.

With this post, my radio advertising blog has moved from its former location to this more robust WordPress platform.  If you create, sell, or invest in radio advertising for your business, I welcome your readership and participation. Thanks for visiting! -Rod