Freaking Marketing

Marketing Teams Should See the Michael Jackson Film

robertrosenthal — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:35:43 PDT

"The show we create here has to have people leaving and not being able to turn it off. They shouldn't be able to go to sleep. They have to see the sun come up and still be talking about it."...

Direct Marketing Legend Succeeded by Failing ... and Failing

robertrosenthal — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:18:17 PDT

You're looking at one of the most profitable direct response ads -- ever. It was conceived and written by Joe Sugarman, living legend of our Facebook group. Over the years, Joe sold around 20 million pair of BluBlocker sunglasses. These...

If at First You Don't Whup the Direct Response Champ ...

robertrosenthal — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:50:13 PDT

"Beating the control" is the art and science of defeating a reigning direct marketing champion: measurable advertising that's been victorious in projectable split-run tests, or advertising that's never been tested head-to-head but has run at an acceptable profit. Some "control"...

"You're Right -- It'll Be a Blown Test. Don't Tell the Client."

robertrosenthal — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:29:28 PDT

One day, while working at an agency I'd rather not name, an account executive showed me a direct mail test grid for a consumer client. I wasn't on that particular team but liked seeing how everyone's tests were structured. As...

Bad vs. Good Consultants

robertrosenthal — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:21:41 PDT

Bad consultants focus on short-term agendas. Good consultants effect long-term change. Bad consultants care about looking good. Good consultants care about being good. Bad consultants push what's comfortable. Good consultants push what's important. Bad consultants seek validation. Good consultants seek...

Obama is #1 Celebrity on Google/Freaking Marketing List

robertrosenthal — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:15:52 PDT

Remember the McCain campaign ad that mocked Obama as "the biggest celebrity in the world?" According to Google, McCain was absolutely right. Check out this exclusive Freaking Marketing tabulation using the world's biggest search engine. (Number of Google results are...

Headline of the Times

robertrosenthal — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:00:50 PDT

Usually, advertisers aren't this honest till it's time for the GOBS (Going Out of Business Sale). Looks like they've been in business a long time. Hang in there, guys.

Pick Your Favorite National Organization for Marriage Parody Ad

robertrosenthal — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:18:23 PDT

I was going to write at length about the NOM ad's poor production quality, dishonest use of bad actors ("I'm a California doctor who must choose between my faith and my job"), and third-rate script with unbelievable lines like "My...

After April 28, Direct Response Concepts Will No Longer Suck

robertrosenthal — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:33:14 PDT

Check out my free 45-minute Webinar, Sweet Emotion: Using Psychological Concepts to Achieve Better-than-Ever Direct Marketing Outcomes. Get the whole scoop here.

Come to My Talk this Wednesday and Say "!@#$ the Recession"

robertrosenthal — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:18:23 PDT

Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired about marketing in this economy? I've got just the thing. This week (Wednesday, April 15, 9:00-10:30am to be exact) join me at the the Microsoft Seminar Facility in Waltham, MA for "Great...