Make ads that match your story

We’ve all seen ads that try to stretch the reality of the product (infomercials anyone?)
This, in my opinion, is because not enough has gone into the story of the product and the ad is left trying do all the heaving lifting (and we all know that ads do a terrible job persuading consumer loyalty to [...]

Seinfeld & Gates Microsoft Ad #2

Okay, so I may not have been the biggest fan of the first ad (it was kind of like the first few seasons of Seinfeld - it was alright).
However, this second ad (more like a webisode at 4:30 minutes) is much better in terms of the entertainment value. I’m still a [...]

Beyond mediocre advertising

Mediocre advertising tries to teach by way of your rational brain.

Remarkable advertising tries to inspire you to become by way of your emotional heart.

Cruel to fool or rules the school?

What do you think?

Hat tip to Boing Boing

Turning off the consumer side of your brain

Why is it when it comes time to think of marketing gimmicks strategies we end up turning off the consumer side of our brains?
Remember the last time you received an unsolicited e-mail? Do you read it? When was the last time you responded? - Exactly. So why will it magically work for you now?
Do [...]

Seinfeld on Marketing: Speed Dial

I’m back from the Holidays and it’s time for more Seinfeld on Marketing. In this episode, Jerry is talking with George about his relationship with the latest girl he is dating:

JERRY: I had like a so-so date with Valerie, now I’m number nine on the speed dial.
GEORGE: So?
JERRY: So? I used to be [...]

It’s Ironic

We know from Marketing 101 and Reis and Trout’s book, Positioning, how important it is to stand for the something in the prospect’s mind. For example:
Volvo = safety
FedEx = overnight delivery
Apple = differently innovative technology
When it comes to marketing’s own backyard, we have a problem. Many people (I’d even say many good [...]

Seinfeld on Marketing: Old school marketing techniques

It’s Friday…so you know what that means, right? Seinfeld on Marketing. I have felt bad as of late that I have neglected some of the other characters of Seinfeld. I hope to rectify this wrong doing today. In this episode, Jerry is talking with his father about going to a family [...]

Seinfeld on Marketing: Having a feel

Happy Seinfeld on Marketing day to you all! In this episode, there really is no need for a setup, so jump on in the pool:

KRAMER: What’s today?
NEWMAN: It’s Thursday.
KRAMER: Really? Feels like Tuesday.
NEWMAN: Tuesday has no feel. Monday has a feel, Friday has a feel, Sunday has a feel…

Does Tuesday not [...]

Leaking internal speak

While driving to work today, I saw three consecutive billboards for APX Alarm - a national home security system company located in Provo Utah. The three billboards read:
Billboard #1:
APX ALARM
Billboard #2:
congratulates its employees
Billboard #3:
for the 125,000+ accounts this summer!
Putting aside for a moment the “self speak” oozing from these billboards, my attention quickly focused [...]