The Three Essential Ingredients for Successful TV Advertising

Stew Birbrower is interviewed by George Alger on the the basics of advertising and successful TV commercials. This brief excerpt from the interview highlights some of the most fundamental points, including:

1) Catch their eye
2) Penetrate their mind
3) Warm their heart

He also notes that music is a big part of the … Read the rest

Soap, Sex, and Cigarettes

The above video illustrates the evolution of advertising from early newspaper ads in colonial times to today’s online advertising.

The video is hosted by Jared Bauer, who explores the topic of “Why Our Ads Are Different Now,” referencing the history of advertising from the book: Soap, Sex, and Cigarettes by Juliann Sivulka.

The book’s … Read the rest

Direct Response Copywriting Formula

Direct Response Marketing is designed to generate an immediate response from consumers. This includes measuring each consumer response or purchase and attributing it to specific advertisements. This is different than ads that drive consumers to retail locations. Instead, consumers buy the product or service directly from the seller and usually via the ad (“call now,” … Read the rest

Scientific Advertising

You’ve learned some things about marketing. Maybe you’ve checked out some internet articles, watched some videos and/or read some marketing books.

But how many ‘old’ marketing books have you read?

I’ve read a bunch of books over the years and continue to do so as much as possible. And although I have a few favorites, … Read the rest

How to Think About Video Ad Sequencing

For newer (inexperienced) marketers, I’ve observed a belief in the “holy grail” concept of advertising in general and video advertising in particular. In other words, the ever-hopeful anticipation that one ad concept or video will turn an under-performing business into a behemoth of success.

To make matters worse, there are occasional examples of ads … Read the rest

Tijuana Flats

15sec VIDEO EXAMPLE: Social media video. Features motion graphics of titles, as well as accent elements surrounding products for emphasis. Additionally, visual effects added, such as brief flashes of “glow” and “brightening” in products shots (still photos) to make them more animated and vibrant.… Read the rest

Clothes To Wear For A TV Interview

Even if you’re the kind of person who pays little attention to what you wear on a day-to-day basis, it’s useful to know a few things about the nature of clothing as it relates to TV and video.

Bear the obvious in mind: cameras, computer monitors and TV screens are not people, they’re machines. And … Read the rest

Seth Godin: The Difference Between Advertising and Marketing | Inc.

Seth Godin presents his perspective on the difference between marketing and advertising, emphasizing the importance of storytelling.

You and I may each agree or disagree about what he has to say about advertising but most pro marketers would likely consider his comments on marketing to be apt.

Nevertheless, Godin doesn’t really describe in real … Read the rest

Good Advertising Psychology (True? Or Not?)

Although the above video represents what it considers as “good” advertising, it would be better described as “big budget” advertising and particularly “big brand” advertising.

It breaks down advertising into two camps:

  • Ads that focus on the quality of the product (thinking)
  • Ads intended to arouse an emotional response (feeling)

The above video primarily … Read the rest