Category Archives: Uncategorized

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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The Speech Therapist In Your Pocket

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Rod Schwartz

You and I take the sounds of our words for granted. We don’t even give them a second thought. Having learned our alphabet as kids (to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, possibly our earliest exposure to the power of … Continue reading →

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Putting Your Phone Number in a Radio Ad is a Bad Idea. Here’s Why.

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Rod Schwartz

You’re not one of those advertisers who puts their telephone number into their radio ads, are you? Good. Didn’t think so. Because you know better. You chuckle at the mental image of somebody pulling over as they’re driving down the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Copy, Copywriting, Jingles, Professional Services Advertising, Proofreading, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Copywriting, Radio Production, Slogans and taglines, Storytelling, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Picture-Perfect Palouse

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Rod Schwartz

The Picture-perfect Palouse – a slideshow featuring photos of the Palouse, captured while on drives and walks in Palouse Country throughout the year.  First-time visitors to the Palouse region describe our unique Palouse landscapes as peaceful, tranquil, different from any other … Continue reading →

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A Modest Proposal for Radio

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Rod Schwartz

 Do Most Radio Ads Suck? Jeff Sexton is an ad writer, and a damn good one. He occasionally teaches ad writing at Wizard Academy and is himself one of the Wizard of Ads® Partners. I subscribe to Jeff’s blog and … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Casting Talent, Client-voiced commercials, Communication, Consistency, Copy, Copywriting, Problem-solving, Professional Services Advertising, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Copywriting, Radio Production, Radio Sales Cafe, Sales, Sales & Marketing, Storytelling, Uncategorized, Voice Acting, Voiceover | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Testimonial Ads Earn High Marks from the Wizard of Ads®

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Rod Schwartz

Most people reading this blog know who Roy H. Williams is. The Wizard of Ads®, founder of Wizard Academy and the American Small Business Institute, author of the best-selling Wizard of Ads® trilogy and co-author with partners Jeffrey and Bryan … Continue reading →

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Tom Bodett, Still Kickin’ Butt for Motel 6

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Rod Schwartz

In 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 … Continue reading →

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