Category Archives: Advertising (General)

Effective Advertising and the Law of Exclusion

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Rod Schwartz

Your business is defined principally by what-you-sell or what-you-do. Are these the only things you talk about in your advertising? May I suggest that you are also defined by what you won’t do or sell, by what you exclude. The principle … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Communication, Copy, Copywriting, Demonstration (demo) tapes, Positioning | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Advertising and the Two Gateways to the Brain

Posted on February 18, 2017 by Rod Schwartz

Which is more powerful, the eye or the ear?  If you could keep just one of these two senses, which would you choose? Strange questions to ask, but stay with me for a moment. We don’t give much thought to our … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Communication, Consistency, Consumer behavior, Copy, Copywriting, Demonstration (demo) tapes, information overload, Jingles, Magazine, Newspaper, Positioning, Print, Problem-solving, Professional Services Advertising, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Copywriting, Radio Production, Sales, Sales & Marketing, Slogans and taglines, Storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Speaking of “Word of Mouth…”

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Rod Schwartz

“Word-of-mouth” is not advertising.  It’s a personal recommendation.  It starts with someone being deeply impressed by a product or service, so much so that when an opportunity arises, he or she tells another person about it. With this in mind, may I offer you a … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Communication, Copy, Copywriting, Internet, Problem-solving, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Copywriting, Sales, Sales & Marketing | Leave a comment

Penetrating the Consumer Brain

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Rod Schwartz

The goal of all advertising is simply to penetrate the human brain*, the seat of all our thoughts, emotions, and choices. My goal as an advertising professional – and yours as a business owner – is to make your company the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Communication, Copy, Copywriting, Internet, Magazine, Management, Newspaper, Positioning, Print, Problem-solving, Professional Services Advertising, Promotions, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Copywriting, Radio Production, Sales, Sales & Marketing, Slogans and taglines, Storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Ten Most Common Mistakes in Marketing

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Rod Schwartz

Many years ago the Wizard of Ads®, sometimes known as Roy H. Williams, published a best-selling business book in which he discussed the Twelve Most Common Mistakes in Advertising. His insights were praised by advertisers and advertising professionals alike. Eventually … Continue reading →

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Fishy Business: “Stop Running That Ad!”

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Rod Schwartz

The customer was obviously upset. She complained to the supermarket owner: I was listening to news talk 1150 and heard your advertisement for “Fresh Atlantic Salmon”.  I just wanted to let you know you are pushing a product that almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Awards, Branding, Business, Communication, Consumer behavior, Copy, Copywriting, life lessons, Management, Positioning, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Copywriting, Radio Production, Sales & Marketing, Shop Local, Storytelling, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

On Selling Soap (Meet My New Friend, Duke Cannon)

Posted on January 17, 2015 by Rod Schwartz

I made a new friend this past Christmas, thanks to my wife. His name is Duke Cannon. Duke sells soap, about which we’ll talk more in just a bit. Did you know that Soap-selling has a storied history? Andrew Pears (b. … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Communication, Consumer behavior, Copy, Copywriting, Internet, Jingles, life lessons, Madison Avenue, Magazine, Newspaper, Positioning, Problem-solving, Productivity, Radio Advertising, Sales, Slogans and taglines, Storytelling, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

“If I don’t go, I don’t get”

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Rod Schwartz

After an extensive Internet search, I’ve concluded that I may be in possession of the only extant copy of the Warner & Swasey Company’s remarkable collection of American Business Ads, published 40 years ago under the title: “1776-1976 What has … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Communication, life lessons, Magazine, Management, Newspaper, Positioning, Print, Productivity, Sales, Sales & Marketing, Slogans and taglines, Storytelling, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Radio Is Dead. Long Live Radio.

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Rod Schwartz

CBC’s “Under The Influence” radio program, hosted by Terry O’Reilly, recently devoted an entire show to illustrate, in Mr. O’Reilly’s words: “…the incredible creativity happening in radio advertising around the world today.” First stop: Hanover, Germany, where a music school … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Communication, Consumer behavior, Copy, information overload, Internet, Ogilvy, Problem-solving, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Production, Storytelling, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Tale of Two Lawyers

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Rod Schwartz

It should not surprise you that my favorite business success stories are those having to do with the client’s skillful use of radio advertising. I never tire of these stories nor fail to learn something useful when reviewing them, whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Client-voiced commercials, Communication, Consistency, Consultants, Copy, Copywriting, Internet, Pay-per-click, Professional Services Advertising, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Copywriting, Radio Production, Sales, Sales & Marketing, Storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment