I was talking on the ol’ Facebook with my old childhood chum Paisley Park. (That is not her real name, but since that’s how she prefers to be named on Facebook, that’s how I identify her here.) I posted a photo of me with Chuck McCann, a comic actor who did a series of Right … Continue reading Jingles Work!
In 1998, when I was applying for the position of FM Programming Coordinator at KCOW/Double Q Country, I wrote in my application letter that I could write a 30-second commercial in 30 seconds. This falls under the category of youthful hubris, and/or “Don’t let your mouth write checks your butt can’t cash.” But the truth … Continue reading Twelve Commercials?!!?
I love Christmas, the whole Christmas season. In fact, I love it a little bit too much where home decorating is concerned. I have a wonderful stereo system with turntable, CD, and FM radio. It’s got the Victrola brand name which I like, even though I know whoever’s making these things is 42 degrees from … Continue reading “Take Tea and See”: Freberg for Salada
I have a couple of radio commercials I would like to share with you…but first! As I’m writing this post I am listening to my “Tip Of The Freberg” box set, featuring the brilliant comedy records and radio commercials of Stan Freberg. Freberg was one of the innovators in the use of humor in advertising … Continue reading Mr. & Mrs. Mosquito and Other Stories
Most of our radio advertising clients have a “general” commercial handy. What makes a commercial “general” is that it can play any day of the year and not sound out-of-date. It’s a good thing to have handy during those little pockets of time when there isn’t a specific sale, event or promotion to advertise. Our … Continue reading Shoe Saga
I make a lot of commercials. I write a lot of them, I voice a lot of them, and sometimes old ones are brought back. And sometimes I forget that I did them, and they make me laugh. That’s not a sign of their quality, it’s just an indicator that the same silly things make … Continue reading “Hey Rocky, Watch Me Pull A Running Gag Out Of My Hat!”
Earlier today on Facebook I tapped into my inner wiseacre and discussed this new anti-drug campaign in South Dakota: The internet, as you can imagine, had a field day with it. And I offered my suggestions for alternate state slogans: -South Dakota: Everything you always wanted in a state. And meth.-South Dakota: Great places, great … Continue reading Marketing: Honestly, It’s Not For Everyone
I love writing and producing commercials for Arby’s. For one thing, food is a great subject–everybody eats, and everybody gets excited about where to go for lunch. It’s a fun topic. Over the nearly two decades that I have been “the Arby’s guy” for radio stations in Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana, many of … Continue reading Arby’s 3-Of-A-Kinds
I am a professional songwriter. Okay, stop laughing. But I have written songs! I’m even registered with BMI after I wrote lyrics for “The Board Of Health Blues #87”, a song by hillbilly rapscallions The Riverfront Boys. Most of the songwriting I’ve done has been for commercials. For example, this yuletide offering: Our latest musicale, … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Silly Commercial: The Bean Brothers
How do you make a silly commercial? Well, first you get copy points–the sales information that needs to be included in the commercial. (Or maybe you don’t. In this case we didn’t…this client likes our silly commercials, bless them, and wanted another one using the same information as the last one.) Next is the script. … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Silly Commercial: “Great Moments/Edison”
