December 27th (originally broadcast: February 16, 2008)
It’s among the greatest, most inspired, most creative, most spectacular work done in marketing... yet few ever see it. Every year, Ad agencies pull out all the stops to ‘pitch’ their services to prospective clients. This week, Terry O’Reilly takes you inside the boardrooms to share some of the Ad industry’s best, most remarkable, and most disastrous ‘pitch’ stories, and gleans from them a surprisingly handy set of life-lessons.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Old Media, New Media, Borrowed Media, Blue Media
Broadcast Date: December 11, 2008. (Original January 26th, 2008)
Terry O’Reilly tracks a seismic shift in the marketing world: the fall of Television as the “flagship” ad medium, and the rise of a radical new trend: marketing through ideas.
Instead of using advertising to reach teenage males, Burger King created its own series of Xbox 360 games, featuring its “King” character. After two million sales in just five weeks, Burger King equates the number of “brand impressions” to that of 13 Super Bowl ads.
When General Electric wanted to promote its brand at the Beijing Olympics, the tactic it chose was infrastructure. Instead of expensive Olympic advertising, GE helped build a water filtration plant, through which it hopes its brand will resonate for years.
“Ideas” as the hottest new ad medium, this week on The Age of Persuasion.
Terry O’Reilly tracks a seismic shift in the marketing world: the fall of Television as the “flagship” ad medium, and the rise of a radical new trend: marketing through ideas.
Instead of using advertising to reach teenage males, Burger King created its own series of Xbox 360 games, featuring its “King” character. After two million sales in just five weeks, Burger King equates the number of “brand impressions” to that of 13 Super Bowl ads.
When General Electric wanted to promote its brand at the Beijing Olympics, the tactic it chose was infrastructure. Instead of expensive Olympic advertising, GE helped build a water filtration plant, through which it hopes its brand will resonate for years.
“Ideas” as the hottest new ad medium, this week on The Age of Persuasion.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Sport of Persuasion
Broadcast Date: December 4, 2008 (Originally broadcast: January 19th, 2008)
Believe it or not, there was once a time when sports and marketing slept in separate beds. Enter C.C. “Cash & Carry” Pyle, the first modern sports agent.
This week, Terry O’Reilly explains how Pyle changed sports forever, and why marketers so eagerly assume the expense, and the risk, of putting their product in the hands of a star athlete. Then, he’ll give you a peek at the marketing playbook, and show you what distinguishes a ‘star’ from a ‘superstar’.
Believe it or not, there was once a time when sports and marketing slept in separate beds. Enter C.C. “Cash & Carry” Pyle, the first modern sports agent.
This week, Terry O’Reilly explains how Pyle changed sports forever, and why marketers so eagerly assume the expense, and the risk, of putting their product in the hands of a star athlete. Then, he’ll give you a peek at the marketing playbook, and show you what distinguishes a ‘star’ from a ‘superstar’.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
There’s Never a Marques of Queensbury Around When You Need One.
November 27 (Originally Broadcast: January 12th, 2008)
Terry explores the long history of “attack ads” and political dirty tricks, and shows how changing media have changed the nature of election campaigns, from a discussion of issues to an assessment of personalities.
Major campaign ads are assembled by hand-picked “dream teams” comprised of many of the greatest creative minds in the business. Yet somehow these campaigns invariably descend into a paint-by-numbers litany of personal attacks and stratospheric promises.
To voters they’re a blight, but to broadcasters, they’re manna from heaven: prompting hefty airtime buys from warring parties, and fueling news and political panel shows (who respond in kind: giving free airtime to the more incendiary ads.)
Terry explores the long history of “attack ads” and political dirty tricks, and shows how changing media have changed the nature of election campaigns, from a discussion of issues to an assessment of personalities.
Major campaign ads are assembled by hand-picked “dream teams” comprised of many of the greatest creative minds in the business. Yet somehow these campaigns invariably descend into a paint-by-numbers litany of personal attacks and stratospheric promises.
To voters they’re a blight, but to broadcasters, they’re manna from heaven: prompting hefty airtime buys from warring parties, and fueling news and political panel shows (who respond in kind: giving free airtime to the more incendiary ads.)
Friday, November 21, 2008
Do This Or Die
November 20, 2008 (Originally Aired June 21, 2007)
A generation ago, one of the greats of the Ad business, Bob Levenson, wrote perhaps the most remarkable - and least-celebrated - ads in history.
Titled "Do This Or Die", it was both a manifesto and a warning to the Ad Industry.
It was a plea for candour and intelligence among advertisers, and for authentic dialogue with consumers. This week on The Age of Persuasion, Terry O'Reilly explains why today's advertisers ignore this plea at their peril.
A generation ago, one of the greats of the Ad business, Bob Levenson, wrote perhaps the most remarkable - and least-celebrated - ads in history.
Titled "Do This Or Die", it was both a manifesto and a warning to the Ad Industry.
It was a plea for candour and intelligence among advertisers, and for authentic dialogue with consumers. This week on The Age of Persuasion, Terry O'Reilly explains why today's advertisers ignore this plea at their peril.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Future of Persuasion
November 13, 2008 (Originally Aired June 14, 2007)
Advertising is a six hundred billion dollar industry these days - and that doesn't take into account its impact on the products and services it promotes.
But nobody really seems to know where the ad industry is headed.
This week on The Age of Persuasion, Terry O'Reilly explains how marketers are slow to adapt to new technologies. But at the same time, advertising is fast moving away from conventional forms and "messaging."
Advertising is a six hundred billion dollar industry these days - and that doesn't take into account its impact on the products and services it promotes.
But nobody really seems to know where the ad industry is headed.
This week on The Age of Persuasion, Terry O'Reilly explains how marketers are slow to adapt to new technologies. But at the same time, advertising is fast moving away from conventional forms and "messaging."
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Wall of Cynicism
November 6, 2008 (Originally Aired May 31, 2007)
According to one survey, six per cent of North Americans believe the moon landings were faked.
Given that degree of pervasive cynicism, it's not surprising that it's hard to convince people that your brand of laxative, athletic footwear or luxury sedan is worth buying.
This week, on The Age of Persuasion, Terry O'Reilly traces the erosion of people's trust in advertising, media, and institutions - from the early Snake Oil salesmen to Orson Welles' infamous "War of the Worlds" broadcast - the 1938 radio drama that caused a real-life panic.
Terry also explores some of the ways today's marketers try to break through that distrust.
According to one survey, six per cent of North Americans believe the moon landings were faked.
Given that degree of pervasive cynicism, it's not surprising that it's hard to convince people that your brand of laxative, athletic footwear or luxury sedan is worth buying.
This week, on The Age of Persuasion, Terry O'Reilly traces the erosion of people's trust in advertising, media, and institutions - from the early Snake Oil salesmen to Orson Welles' infamous "War of the Worlds" broadcast - the 1938 radio drama that caused a real-life panic.
Terry also explores some of the ways today's marketers try to break through that distrust.
“It’s the Insight, Stupid”
October 30, 2008 (Originally Broadcast in April, 2007)
Bill Clinton’s electoral victory of 1992 owed much to a four word phrase created by advisor James Carville: “It’s the economy, stupid”. It wasn’t an idea, or a slogan, but an insight. Join Terry O’Reilly as shows why an insight is at the heart of modern persuasion, and how insights fuel great ideas, art, and inventions.
Bill Clinton’s electoral victory of 1992 owed much to a four word phrase created by advisor James Carville: “It’s the economy, stupid”. It wasn’t an idea, or a slogan, but an insight. Join Terry O’Reilly as shows why an insight is at the heart of modern persuasion, and how insights fuel great ideas, art, and inventions.
Award in Edgewise
October 23, 2008 (Originally aired April 26, 2007)
Try Googling the phrase “Award-Winning”. Go on; we’ll wait. See? 71 million hits. Join Terry O’Reilly - wait- the “award winning” Terry O’Reilly - as he explores the persuasive power of those two little words in our culture. He’ll play- yes- award-winning ads, and examine the self-congratulatory side of our culture.
Try Googling the phrase “Award-Winning”. Go on; we’ll wait. See? 71 million hits. Join Terry O’Reilly - wait- the “award winning” Terry O’Reilly - as he explores the persuasive power of those two little words in our culture. He’ll play- yes- award-winning ads, and examine the self-congratulatory side of our culture.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Reviving the Brand
October 16, 2008
This week on The Age of Persuasion, Terry O'Reilly tells the stories behind some familiar names. And explains the perils of naming a product too well.
A century ago, a car dealer asked the folks at Daimler if he could name their new car after his daughter Mercedes. That name worked out pretty well.
A half century later, Ford named its new car after "Edsel"- after the son of the company's founder. That didn't work out so well.
This week on The Age of Persuasion, Terry O'Reilly tells the stories behind some familiar names. And explains the perils of naming a product too well.
A century ago, a car dealer asked the folks at Daimler if he could name their new car after his daughter Mercedes. That name worked out pretty well.
A half century later, Ford named its new car after "Edsel"- after the son of the company's founder. That didn't work out so well.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Frontiers and Boundaries
October 9, 2008 (Originally aired April 2007)
It’s no surprise that a lot of today’s Ads would never have aired in our parent’s time. But guess what? Many Ads from the past would never be tolerated today. This week Terry O’Reilly explains how Advertising is a kind of time capsule: reflecting the tastes and tolerances of a given time. And how quickly those tolerances can change.
It’s no surprise that a lot of today’s Ads would never have aired in our parent’s time. But guess what? Many Ads from the past would never be tolerated today. This week Terry O’Reilly explains how Advertising is a kind of time capsule: reflecting the tastes and tolerances of a given time. And how quickly those tolerances can change.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Guerillas in our Midst
October 2, 2008 (Originally aired 29 March, 2007)
Not long ago, the city of Boston was paralysed by a guerrilla marketing stunt: the placement of electronic signs with countdown clocks. Even more surprising was that the stunt was staged by a multi-billion dollar media empire. This week Terry O’Reilly examines why today’s biggest marketers are adopting street-level guerrilla marketing tactics. And he’ll introduce you to early guerrilla marketing pioneers; among them: Thomas Edison and Harry Houdini.
Dozens of electronic signs like this one, were hung beneath an overpass in Boston.
Not long ago, the city of Boston was paralysed by a guerrilla marketing stunt: the placement of electronic signs with countdown clocks. Even more surprising was that the stunt was staged by a multi-billion dollar media empire. This week Terry O’Reilly examines why today’s biggest marketers are adopting street-level guerrilla marketing tactics. And he’ll introduce you to early guerrilla marketing pioneers; among them: Thomas Edison and Harry Houdini.
Dozens of electronic signs like this one, were hung beneath an overpass in Boston.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Leaving Your Mark
September 11, 2008
Originally aired February 15, 2007
The Prime Minister has one. So do Microsoft, the CBC, and the Pope. They’ve all got a form of logo: a visual symbol, trademark or emblem that distinguishes who they are. Join Terry as he tells the stories behind some of the great logos and trademarks, and shows how today’s brand innovators are “translating” them into sound and even attitude.
Originally aired February 15, 2007
The Prime Minister has one. So do Microsoft, the CBC, and the Pope. They’ve all got a form of logo: a visual symbol, trademark or emblem that distinguishes who they are. Join Terry as he tells the stories behind some of the great logos and trademarks, and shows how today’s brand innovators are “translating” them into sound and even attitude.
A Sense of Persuasion
September 4, 2008
Top brands are discovering that the best way into your imagination may be
through all five of your senses. Join Terry O'Reilly this week on The Age
of Persuasion as he explores the new trend of 'celebrity' fragrances',
examines the century-old connection between music and colours, explains why
Kellogg's hires a team to refine the "crunch" of its cereals, and
shows how three drops of vanilla can help sell a quarter-million-dollar home.
Top brands are discovering that the best way into your imagination may be
through all five of your senses. Join Terry O'Reilly this week on The Age
of Persuasion as he explores the new trend of 'celebrity' fragrances',
examines the century-old connection between music and colours, explains why
Kellogg's hires a team to refine the "crunch" of its cereals, and
shows how three drops of vanilla can help sell a quarter-million-dollar home.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Season Finale - Six Remarkable Brands
June 21, 2008
All the things that capture your eye- and you imagination- in the world around you have one thing in common: they’re all brands. In the Age of Persuasion season finale, Terry O’Reilly examines six remarkable brands- and not just ‘brands’ in the consumer sense. Among them: a media icon, an athlete, a rock & roll band, a toy, a city, and a 500-kilogram land mammal. He’ll explain the brand strength behind each, and explore what makes them remarkable. By studying them, Terry explains how this can deepen our understanding of how, and why, people prioritize some things over others.
All the things that capture your eye- and you imagination- in the world around you have one thing in common: they’re all brands. In the Age of Persuasion season finale, Terry O’Reilly examines six remarkable brands- and not just ‘brands’ in the consumer sense. Among them: a media icon, an athlete, a rock & roll band, a toy, a city, and a 500-kilogram land mammal. He’ll explain the brand strength behind each, and explore what makes them remarkable. By studying them, Terry explains how this can deepen our understanding of how, and why, people prioritize some things over others.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Persuasion in the Niches
June 14, 2008
Times ‘wuz that the goal of any marketer was to sell “big” brands to the widest possible audience. This week, Terry O’Reilly explains how the days of “one size fits all” brands are vanishing; replaced by specifically targeted “niche” brands. He’ll trace this trend to the growth of “specialty” media; Gay/Lesbian/Bi radio stations, for instance, provide a platform for a new generation of “niche” marketers. He’ll also show how many of the mighty mainstream brands- such as the Model T- even the iPod- began as “niche” products.
Times ‘wuz that the goal of any marketer was to sell “big” brands to the widest possible audience. This week, Terry O’Reilly explains how the days of “one size fits all” brands are vanishing; replaced by specifically targeted “niche” brands. He’ll trace this trend to the growth of “specialty” media; Gay/Lesbian/Bi radio stations, for instance, provide a platform for a new generation of “niche” marketers. He’ll also show how many of the mighty mainstream brands- such as the Model T- even the iPod- began as “niche” products.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Advertising as the New Sugar Daddy
June 7, 2008
When money runs short- more and more people are turning to advertising to pay the bills. Charities, artists, athletes, even governments and school boards are turning to “corporate partners” - offering advertising exposure in exchange for much-needed money. This week Terry O’Reilly explains how Advertisers became the “sugar daddies” of the 21st Century- and traces “sponsorship” back through the centuries.
When money runs short- more and more people are turning to advertising to pay the bills. Charities, artists, athletes, even governments and school boards are turning to “corporate partners” - offering advertising exposure in exchange for much-needed money. This week Terry O’Reilly explains how Advertisers became the “sugar daddies” of the 21st Century- and traces “sponsorship” back through the centuries.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Frontiers and Boundaries
May 31, 2008
It’s no surprise that a lot of today’s Ads would never have aired in our parent’s time. But guess what? Many Ads from the past would never be tolerated today. This week Terry O’Reilly explains how Advertising is a kind of time capsule: reflecting the tastes and tolerances of a given time. And how quickly those tolerances can change.
It’s no surprise that a lot of today’s Ads would never have aired in our parent’s time. But guess what? Many Ads from the past would never be tolerated today. This week Terry O’Reilly explains how Advertising is a kind of time capsule: reflecting the tastes and tolerances of a given time. And how quickly those tolerances can change.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Selling War
May 24, 2008
A century ago, when a nation called, men came running. Today, men and women need a reason why they should wage war. This week, Terry examines the complex, changing, relationship between persuasion and war. He’ll look at ways advertisers mobilized to help Canada in two World Wars, how the impromptu “Christmas truce” of 1914 endangered the ‘idea’ of World War I, and he’ll examine and the fascinating variety of advertising approaches nations use to recruit soldiers today.
A century ago, when a nation called, men came running. Today, men and women need a reason why they should wage war. This week, Terry examines the complex, changing, relationship between persuasion and war. He’ll look at ways advertisers mobilized to help Canada in two World Wars, how the impromptu “Christmas truce” of 1914 endangered the ‘idea’ of World War I, and he’ll examine and the fascinating variety of advertising approaches nations use to recruit soldiers today.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Myth of Mass Marketing
Saturday, May 17, 200
It was ad giant Fairfax Cone who said "there is no such thing as a Mass Mind. The Mass Audience is made up of individuals, and good advertising is written always from one person to another. When it is aimed at millions it rarely moves anyone." “Mass Marketing” allows advertisers to reach millions of consumers at once- but at a cost. The greater the audience, the ‘cooler’, more distant, and less personal the relationship between marketer and consumer becomes. Terry examines the power of the sort of one-on-one selling that turned the “Fuller Brush” company from a $75 investment to a multi-million dollar empire, and he’ll show creative ways advertisers find to relate to a “mass” audience, one person at a time.
It was ad giant Fairfax Cone who said "there is no such thing as a Mass Mind. The Mass Audience is made up of individuals, and good advertising is written always from one person to another. When it is aimed at millions it rarely moves anyone." “Mass Marketing” allows advertisers to reach millions of consumers at once- but at a cost. The greater the audience, the ‘cooler’, more distant, and less personal the relationship between marketer and consumer becomes. Terry examines the power of the sort of one-on-one selling that turned the “Fuller Brush” company from a $75 investment to a multi-million dollar empire, and he’ll show creative ways advertisers find to relate to a “mass” audience, one person at a time.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Emotion
May 10, 2008
This week Terry O’Reilly explains why so few advertisers use “facts” to build their brand, and why the best way to win a consumer’s business is through the heart. He’ll show how even low-interest products use emotion to build their brands, and he’ll explain how emotion has driven sales of a popular breakfast cereal for three generations.
This week Terry O’Reilly explains why so few advertisers use “facts” to build their brand, and why the best way to win a consumer’s business is through the heart. He’ll show how even low-interest products use emotion to build their brands, and he’ll explain how emotion has driven sales of a popular breakfast cereal for three generations.
Monday, May 5, 2008
“It’s the Insight, Stupid”
May 3, 2008
Bill Clinton’s electoral victory of 1992 owed much to a four word phrase created by advisor James Carville: “It’s the economy, stupid”. It wasn’t an idea, or a slogan, but an insight. Join Terry O’Reilly as shows why an insight is at the heart of modern persuasion, and how insights fuel great ideas, art, and inventions.
Bill Clinton’s electoral victory of 1992 owed much to a four word phrase created by advisor James Carville: “It’s the economy, stupid”. It wasn’t an idea, or a slogan, but an insight. Join Terry O’Reilly as shows why an insight is at the heart of modern persuasion, and how insights fuel great ideas, art, and inventions.
Monday, April 28, 2008
In Defence of Advertising
April 26, 2008
After thirty years of hearing "I hate advertising", Terry's springing to the
defence of his industry. Will he argue that all advertising is great? No.
But he will make a case that maybe, just maybe, it doesn't suck as much as
some people like to think.
After thirty years of hearing "I hate advertising", Terry's springing to the
defence of his industry. Will he argue that all advertising is great? No.
But he will make a case that maybe, just maybe, it doesn't suck as much as
some people like to think.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Strategy of Persuasion
April 19, 2008
How did General Isaac Brock and the great chief Tecumseh capture Fort Detroit in 1812- though outnumbered nearly two-to-one? The same way today’s brands nestle themselves in your brain: strategy. This week, Terry O’Reilly examines one of the most vital- and least understood- facets of the world’s $600 billion marketing industry.
How did General Isaac Brock and the great chief Tecumseh capture Fort Detroit in 1812- though outnumbered nearly two-to-one? The same way today’s brands nestle themselves in your brain: strategy. This week, Terry O’Reilly examines one of the most vital- and least understood- facets of the world’s $600 billion marketing industry.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Crowd Control
April 12, 2008
This week, Terry O’Reilly explores the evolving relationship between marketers and audiences, and how modern media have made audiences the product, and advertisers the buyer. While all art craves an audience: in the age of persuasion, ad-driven media exist for the purpose of procuring an audience, and delivering it to advertisers. Terry examines the business of audience research, and explains how studies of “demographics” and “psychographics”, are giving way to a new classification: social “tribes”.
This week, Terry O’Reilly explores the evolving relationship between marketers and audiences, and how modern media have made audiences the product, and advertisers the buyer. While all art craves an audience: in the age of persuasion, ad-driven media exist for the purpose of procuring an audience, and delivering it to advertisers. Terry examines the business of audience research, and explains how studies of “demographics” and “psychographics”, are giving way to a new classification: social “tribes”.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Award in Edgewise
April 5, 2008
Try Googling the phrase “Award-Winning”. Go on; we’ll wait. See? 71 million hits. Join Terry O’Reilly - wait- the “award winning” Terry O’Reilly - as he explores the persuasive power of those two little words in our culture. He’ll play- yes- award-winning ads, and examine the self-congratulatory side of our culture.
Try Googling the phrase “Award-Winning”. Go on; we’ll wait. See? 71 million hits. Join Terry O’Reilly - wait- the “award winning” Terry O’Reilly - as he explores the persuasive power of those two little words in our culture. He’ll play- yes- award-winning ads, and examine the self-congratulatory side of our culture.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Advertisers as Censors
March 29, 2008
According to author C. Edwin Baker, “Advertisers, not governments, are the primary censors of media content... today." Terry O’Reilly respectfully disagrees - and this week he’ll explain why.
According to author C. Edwin Baker, “Advertisers, not governments, are the primary censors of media content... today." Terry O’Reilly respectfully disagrees - and this week he’ll explain why.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Royal Jelly
March 22, 2008
In the Age of Persuasion, as in all things, some are more equal than others. This week, Terry O’Reilly looks at a handful of gifted individuals- and singular ad agencies- who have done more than change advertising- they’ve changed popular culture. They are the savants, the gifted, the elect- those with ‘royal jelly’. And they cause a $600 billion industry to un-learn everything it had learned about the craft of persuasion.
In the Age of Persuasion, as in all things, some are more equal than others. This week, Terry O’Reilly looks at a handful of gifted individuals- and singular ad agencies- who have done more than change advertising- they’ve changed popular culture. They are the savants, the gifted, the elect- those with ‘royal jelly’. And they cause a $600 billion industry to un-learn everything it had learned about the craft of persuasion.
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Trouble with Big
March 15, 2008
In our grandparent’s time, “big” was a good thing. “Biggest” was what every brand wanted to be when it grew up; the biggest corporations were benevolent captains of industry. Today, “big” is a curse. The biggest brands become the targets of critical books and documentaries, anti-globalization protests and YouTube ridicule. This week, Terry O’Reilly examines the growing hostility directed at the world’s top brands, and how some are finding ingenious ways to be both big and lovable.
In our grandparent’s time, “big” was a good thing. “Biggest” was what every brand wanted to be when it grew up; the biggest corporations were benevolent captains of industry. Today, “big” is a curse. The biggest brands become the targets of critical books and documentaries, anti-globalization protests and YouTube ridicule. This week, Terry O’Reilly examines the growing hostility directed at the world’s top brands, and how some are finding ingenious ways to be both big and lovable.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Reviving the Brand
March 8, 2008
This week Terry O’Reilly explores ways marketers breathe new life into dying brands. He’ll show you how brands such as Special ‘K’ have hiked sales- not by changing their product, but by changing the ‘idea’ of their product. Then he’ll show you how Hollywood celebrities have used the same principle to re-invent- and resurrect- their careers.
This week Terry O’Reilly explores ways marketers breathe new life into dying brands. He’ll show you how brands such as Special ‘K’ have hiked sales- not by changing their product, but by changing the ‘idea’ of their product. Then he’ll show you how Hollywood celebrities have used the same principle to re-invent- and resurrect- their careers.
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