Tag Archives: branding

“Make Us Famous”

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Penetrating the Consumer Brain

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 , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fishy Business: “Stop Running That Ad!”

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

“If I don’t go, I don’t get”

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

Professional Voice-over and Narration for…Five Bucks?

The post at Radio Sales Cafe, from a Chicago-area radio guy, read: “5 DOLLARS! Check me out on FIVERR” Intrigued and a bit skeptical, I clicked on the link. Sure enough, there he was. Chicago-area radio announcer will cut your … Continue reading

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Communication, Consultants, Copy, Copywriting, Disclaimers, graphic design, Jingles, Problem-solving, Productivity, Professional Services Advertising, Promotions, Radio Advertising, Radio Commercials, Radio Copywriting, Radio Production, Radio Sales Cafe, Sales, Sales & Marketing, Uncategorized, Voice Acting, Voiceover | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“If I Don’t Go, I Don’t Get”

“If I Don’t Go, I Don’t Get” This ad was written in 1975 for The Warner & Swasey Company of Cleveland, Ohio, manufacturer of heavy industrial equipment and machinery, the latest installment (at that time) in a series of 1000 … Continue reading

Posted in Advertising (General), Branding, Business, Communication, Copy, Copywriting, life lessons, Magazine, Management, Newspaper, Positioning, Print, Storytelling, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I’d Like to “Buy Local” But… (Guest Blog)

Thanks to my generous and talented friend Blaine Parker for letting me share his insights with you.  This article originally appeared in his “relentless weekly screed,” otherwise known as Hot Points.  Get your free subscription here. As many of my … Continue reading

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

The Best Steak Marinade Ever

A great steak needs nothing but a bit of salt and pepper. Having grown up in Chicago, I know the taste and buttery texture of a great corn-fed beef steak.  We never marinated them.  Never had to. Now I live … Continue reading

Posted in Branding, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

An Expensive Lesson on the Value of Branding (Guest Blog)

{Thanks to the irrepressible Phil Bernstein of Portland, OR for this insightful post on the value of brand advertising, reprinted here with his permission.} Recently I met with the Executive Vice President of a phone and Internet company in the … Continue reading

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

Jelly Bean Branding

Betcha didn’t know that April 22nd was Jelly Bean Day. Or that jelly beans have been around since at least the time of the Civil War. As kids, we ate our fill of them every Easter season.  Then they’d pretty … Continue reading

Posted in Branding, Communication, graphic design, Sales & Marketing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment