The Portland Media Documentary

To start with, a disclosure — an interview with me appears in this documentary. The American news media world underwent some seismic changes between 2009 and 2011. These changes happened everywhere… big markets and small markets; big companies and small companies; radio, TV, and newspaper. The catalyst for all this… the hero or the villain […]

Why Subtlety Doesn’t Work Anymore

A couple of years ago, author/public speaker/comedian Andy Nulman wrote a blog post discussing his challenges as he gets up in front of an audience: “The Internet has changed everything. It has contracted attention spans to an almost ridiculously-microscopic measure, and has sung the swan song for the concept of subtlety. For example, the old ‘speaker’s adage’ […]

Does Relentless Advertising Work?

One answer to this question comes from a study conducted a few years ago by the Stanford University School of Medicine and Packard Children’s Hospital. According to AdAge.com, kids 3 to 5 years old were fed two sets of identical foods — some in McDonald’s wrappers and some wrapped in plain paper. They overwhelmingly preferred […]

Cheap Marketing Tip: Give Your Common Product an Uncommon Name

You can buy brussel sprouts just about anywhere. But only at Seattle’s Pike Place Market can you buy… By the way, if you’d like to buy some 30-second Messages of Prosperity Generation, give me a call. And if you have a name for radio commercials that’s better than that one, I’m open to suggestion. Leave […]

Home Improvement Advertising Case Study: Energy Guard

As one of Milgard Windows’ top dealers, Energy Guard Windows and Doors has a lot to offer — great products, 27 years of expertise, and first-class installation. For several years, Energy Guard has held Smart Home Seminars where homeowners can learn everything they need to know about replacing their windows. I’ve sat in on the […]