Tom Bodett, Still Kickin’ Butt for Motel 6

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Rod Schwartz

rmalogoIn 1992, Tom Bodett’s “Singing Phone Number” spot for Motel 6 took the $100,000 Grand Prize in that year’s Radio Mercury Awards.

Since then, his radio spots have been Mercury finalists or winners 22 more times, with another Grand Prize win in 2009 for his clever “DVD” spot.

The 2017 Radio Mercury Award winners were announced this week. Heading the list of award-winners: Motel 6.

One of Radio’s enduring success stories, Tom Bodett has been the sole pitchman for Motel 6 for more than 30 years. Throughout three decades of swirling changes in society, culture, politics, technology, and the economy, they’ve kept up with the times without changing their formula for success. One guy reading great copy, same kitchy music, same tagline: “We’ll leave the light on for you.”

Congratulations to ad agency The Richards Group, spokesman Tom Bodett, and client Motel 6. Thanks for keeping us entertained while reminding us of your promise to provide a clean, comfortable room at the lowest price of any national chain.

And to leave the lights on for us.

Unknown's avatar

About Rod Schwartz

Rod Schwartz backed into a lifelong career in radio advertising in 1973 in Springfield, Illinois. He joined the Pullman (Wash.) Radio Group in 1979, where he worked until his retirement at the end of 2022. From 1991 to March 2024, Rod and his family operated Grace Broadcast Sales, providing short-form syndicated radio features to radio and TV stations across the U.S. and Canada. Rod currently operates an independent advertising, marketing, and media consultancy for radio stations, independent business owners and busy professionals, and he continues providing syndicated audio features to radio and TV station clients. More information is available at RodSchwartz.com. An avid photographer, Rod shares some of his favorite images at PalousePics.com and on his Viewbug gallery. See Links for details.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to Tom Bodett, Still Kickin’ Butt for Motel 6

  1. Pingback: Thoroughbred Radio Ad Campaign Races into Hall of Fame | Rod Schwartz's radio advertising blog

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.