Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Restless Heart and the Hope of Christmas

Posted on December 15, 2025 by Rod Schwartz

“Merry Christmas!” This universal Christmas greeting permeates our interactions with others during this season of comfort and joy, happiness and good cheer. Here we are, living in the freest, most prosperous nation on earth, a fact made even more marvelous … Continue reading →

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On Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2025 by Rod Schwartz

“In everything give thanks.…” The apostle Paul’s simple exhortation is easy enough to understand but often found difficult to practice, especially when we’re faced with suffering or setbacks to our health, our finances, our work, or a relationship that’s become … Continue reading →

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The Problem with A.I. “Humans”

Posted on August 18, 2025 by Rod Schwartz

I’ve been noticing a trait common to all the AI-generated “humans” in the video ads I see online—and they’re ubiquitous these days—including those made using the images and audio of real people: they all come across to me as being … Continue reading →

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Sam Dial’s Thanksgiving Commercial

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Rod Schwartz

My jewelry store client kicks off the holiday season—which accounts for up to a third of his annual sales—with a special commercial that he runs the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Are you thanking your customers—publicly? In your own voice? … Continue reading →

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The 100 Most Valuable Brands

Posted on July 24, 2023 by Rod Schwartz

From Visual Capitalist, the top 100 brands in 2023, ranked according to value. Amazon, Apple, and Alphabet’s Google lead the pack, and U.S. companies comprise half of this year’s top brands. According to VC: Amazon ranks number one globally with its … Continue reading →

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On Creativity – lessons from LA Gear, Jesse Stone, James Bond, and the Bible)

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Rod Schwartz

“That’s really creative—I like it!” For an ad writer, getting that kind of reaction to a new spot or campaign idea brings joy-joy feelings. But what makes someone creative? Is it innate or learned behavior? What exactly is creativity? I … Continue reading →

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“Make Us Famous”

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Rod Schwartz

Early in his snarky, whip-smart analysis of what advertising can and cannot do for a business or brand, veteran adman Bob Hoffman asks:  – Why do some actors get million dollar fees for appearing in movies while other equally good actors get … Continue reading →

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The Era of the Ear

Posted on May 1, 2022 by Rod Schwartz

“…there is virtually no waking moment that isn’t now an OTL (opportunity to listen) to some form or other of third-party content.” – Charles Vallance Despite the many constraints of lockdowns and pandemic living, there are two parts of us … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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