Author Archives: Rod Schwartz

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 Appliance Dealer Loves April 1st. Here’s why:

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Rod Schwartz

Every year at this time, Don Frei, the co-owner of Howard Hughes Appliance, Television, and Sleep Shop in Moscow, Idaho, and I collaborate to create radio commercials that will run heavily on every radio station in town for just one … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Meet Your Listeners/Customers Where They Are

Posted on December 18, 2021 by Rod Schwartz

by Roy H. Williams This article was originally published in Williams’ Monday Morning Memo (10/4/21) and reprinted in RadioInk (11/8/21). Understanding the distinction between transactional and relational customers is vitally important for business owners and advertising professionals alike, and no … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Harness the Power of a Five-Second Ad

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Rod Schwartz

I sold my first five-second radio commercials back in 1975. For the record, that’s thirty years before Clear Channel would proclaim “Less Is More” and with great fanfare begin offering five-second “adlets” or two-second “blinks.” Twitter founder Jack Dorsey had not … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

WHAT GOOD WRITERS DO

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Rod Schwartz

Good writing makes us feel deeply. If you’ve ever loved a canine companion, these words will reduce you to a puddle. And you will feel richer for having read them. Because good writing touches our emotions. Good writing also paints … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Radio Mercury Awards – #ThirtyYearsinYourEars

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Rod Schwartz

2021 marks a milestone for the Radio Mercury awards. For 30 years, these awards have recognized exceptional audio advertising created by advertising agencies, production companies, and radio stations across America. The Mercury is to radio commercials what the Oscar® is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Remembering Rush Limbaugh

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Rod Schwartz

So much has been written and said about Rush Limbaugh recently in the wake of his death at age 70. Much more will be said in the weeks and months ahead, as his millions of listeners and fans mourn his … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Client-voiced commercials, Communication, Copy, Copywriting, Paul Harvey, Rush Limbaugh, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What POTUS Can Teach Us About Marketing

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Rod Schwartz

Editor’s Preface: The following article has drawn more response than any we’ve ever run. Heading into what is likely to be the most contentious political contest in recent history, a number of readers have asked about this piece all over … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Communication, Copy, political advertising, Positioning, Slogans and taglines, Storytelling | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ask the Wizards – Marketing Advice from the Wizard of Ads® and partners

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Rod Schwartz

Business owners and radio marketing executives get answers to their questions on marketing in a COVID-19 world by Roy H. Williams (the Wizard of Ads®) Ryan Deiss (founder of DigitalMarketer.com), and Daniel Whittington (Chancellor of Wizard Academy). Send your questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Client-voiced commercials, Communication, Consultants, Copy, Copywriting, life lessons, Positioning, Problem-solving, Professional Services Advertising, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Copywriting, Radio Production, Sales, Sales & Marketing, Shop Local, Slogans and taglines, Storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ask the Wizard of Ads® – Free Now!

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Rod Schwartz

Roy H. Williams, the Wizard of Ads®, and Wizard Academy Chancellor, Daniel Whittington, recently announced that they will be offering weekly one-hour videos, in which they answer advertising and business questions submitted to them by email. It’s a generous offer … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Client-voiced commercials, Communication, Copy, Copywriting, Grace Broadcast Sales, Positioning, Problem-solving, Professional Services Advertising, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Copywriting, Radio Production, Sales, Sales & Marketing, Storytelling | Leave a comment

What Businesses Need From Local Radio Right Now

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Rod Schwartz

What do businesses, especially those closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,  need from their local radio stations right now?  A relevant advertising message that addresses the new reality of closures, quarantines, business not-as-usual.  At minimum, the information businesses need to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Client-voiced commercials, Communication, Consistency, Grace Broadcast Sales, Positioning, Problem-solving, Professional Services Advertising, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Copywriting, Radio Production, Sales, Sales & Marketing, Shop Local, Storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments