Why I Love NPR

In the final analysis, advertising, brand engagement, consumer connections, et. al., is about story telling. We tell stories in an attempt to build an emotional bridge to someone who we define as a target.

The default for story-telling in our business has become "the visual." Magazines, TV, YouTube...somehow, it is easier and more compelling to tell a story with through the magic of sight, sound, motion, etc.

In our quest for visual impact, radio, or the art of creating theatre of the mind has been, for the most part, been left by the way-side. Radio is not cool.

But radio done right can be the most engaging of media. I was thinking about this on the way to work this morning. The news stories on NPR are almost always engaging and the "visuals" in my mind, more compelling than anything I would see on CNN. A few weeks ago, a female reporter did a story from inside San Quentin prison and it was the most riveting theatre I have experienced in a long time. I'm providing the link to the San Quentin story...it's worth five minutes of your time.

Various studies indicate that people are 2-3X more likely to remember something they hear than see. Maybe it's time to give radio another look...sorry, listen!

Any NPR lovers out there?

An Ode to Marriage

I don't post videos all that often...but this is worth the investment of time:

Flight of the Concords

"OMG Doug, R U Wearing a Speedo???"

If you didn't notice, 24 of the first 25 swimming Gold Medals have gone to Speedo endorsers (the lone outcast was wearing a polyester leisure suit).

I'm sure the folks at Speedo are thrilled. In fact, they are so giddy that they are planning their first consumer advertising campaign to support the new body suit.

Here's the problem: according to a highly accurate regression analysis I recently completed, 96.4% of all United States citizens SHOULD NOT be permitted in a public place wearing anything emblazoned with the word Speedo.

I actually wore a Speedo once (many years ago) to a public pool and and was held underwater for 8 minutes by two lifeguards and Mrs. Spak #1. Speedos are for people who are serious swimmers. Speedos are not for people who lay on big floaty things and guzzle beer all day.

So, here's the deal: unless you can do the 100 meter freestyle in less than an hour, do us all a favor and stick with the big, baggy, drawstring swim suits sold at Kmart.

Advertiser Video Contest #2,345,672!

Here is the latest addition to the rapidly expanding world of "video contests."

Go to Klondike Contest to see the finalists in the "What Would You Do For a Klondike" contest. I have to admit that I got a chuckle out of a few of these.

I like one of the comments: "This is like a real commercial." Which raises the bigger question: what defines a "real commercial" in today's world of amateur Mad Men?

What's your favorite spot...and do you like Klondikes?

Pass The Explosives!!

Originally written 8/5/08

As part of the chain-wide renovation of its 900+ restaurants, Ruby Tuesday pulled off an interesting stunt today. In TV spots, they promised to blow up one of their oldest locations to introduce their new "It's a whole new Tuesday" campaign.

So, here was the stunt: the Ruby Tuesday's representative is set up across the street from the tired looking Ruby Tuesday's. He hits the detonator and nothing happens. The camera slowly pans left to reveal an O'Charleys restaurant one second before it is destroyed by the blast. The camera pans back to the Ruby Tuesday's guy who is "aghast" at his tragic mistake.

OK, they got me to watch. But they sure didn't make me feel better about Ruby Tuesday's by blowing up an O'Charleys.

Another ideation session run amuck!

Are The Olympics Relevant?

Originally written 8/1/08

When I was young, I loved the Olympics...especially the Summer Games. There was something very authentic about the games, despite the fact that the East German women had more facial hair than I did.

Maybe it was that athletes weren't as revered (or despised in some cases) as those of today's generation. Maybe it was because there was this US/USSR, "us vs them" drama that seemed to serve as the foundation of the games. Maybe it was before 24 hours, global sports and news coverage.

I think my disenchantment with the Olympics started with The Dream Team and the hype surrounding their dominance of the first games to allows pro athletes.

Nonetheless, the Olympic Brand still is strong based on a recent study of the major sporting events. I just wonder if this is residual equity that is driven by those old enough to remember the games when they were interesting. The TV ratings continue to decline and are expected to contiune as such this year.

I'll watch certain events out of curiousity...but not with the same level of interest as years past.

How important are the Olympics to you?