Many years ago during my radio days, I would substitute host for a popular oldies show "Sunday Night At The Oldies." This was late 1980's and we were still spinning actual records for our music, as compared with digital music libraries that stations have in place today.
When we set up the turntable, the rpm's were actually slightly excellerated. It may have been explained as to why, but I honestly don't remember the reason. As I read today's issue of The Wall Street Journal I am reminded of this practice and may have found out why this was done.
Forward (pun intended) to today, and cable channels are speeding up their programming to fit more commercials. As the cable world continues to fragment, ratings have dropped meaning to delivery the needed impressions, cable networks are having to deliver more ads.
It has been common practice to eliminate or at least limit intro and ending credits. Law and Order normally has a 1 minute 45 second intro, but it is only 24 seconds on cable today. But now programmers are playing with the speed of the actual show.
Does Jerry Seinfeld sound a little high pitched on TBS? Probably so, as they are using this technology to speed up the episode. My favorite example of this is with the Wizard of Oz. The munchkins are already with squeeky high voices. They are using the technology for this movie, making the voices even higher.
As the audience / programming revolution continues, the business side of programming will have to continue getting creative to squeeze out the audience and the revenue necessary.
A couple stories on this topic:
http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/speeded.asp
http://www.wsj.com/articles/cable-tv-shows-are-sped-up-to-squeeze-in-more-ads-1424301320 story is behind the WSJ paywall.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Saturday, February 7, 2015
What the Super Bowl taught me about being a better person, stronger businessman
It has been a week since Super Bowl 49. The game was excellent; but for me the halftime entertainment and the commercials were average. But that is not my observation from the big game. I think a lot of people could learn lessons to help better themselves in their lives through some key events that happened.
This is not about Pete Carroll's play calling decision, though I would have run it. I grew up in a family that spouted the Woody Hayes philosophy to passing the football (Hayes was the long time head coach at Ohio State University). Hayes is quoted as saying that when you pass the football, "only three things can happen, and two of them are bad."
This is about Malcolm Butler, the New England Patroit defender who intercepted the Seahawk's pass in the end zone to secure the win for the Patroits. On my drive into work the day after the game, ESPN's Mike & Mike secured what I think may have been one of the first interviews with the newly minted football hero.
What struck me most about the conversation was the path that Butler had taken to get to the iconic game. He didn't get recruited by the big programs out of high school, didn't get drafted once he was done with college and didn't get the mega-signing bonuses that you see and hear about all of the time. Malcom Butler comes from very humble roots, and not that long ago.
The next time you visit a local Popeye's for some chicken, look around. Probably not the place you'd expect to find a Super Bowl champion, but that is where Butler found himself just a few years ago. After two years of high school football in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Butler attend the football powerhouse of Hinds Community College. And he was kicked out, and ended up at Popeye's working part time. Eventually he made his way to West Alabama, a division two football program.
When asked about his path to the Super Bowl, the ESPN announcers asked him if he ever thought that this could happen. His response was something everyone should pay attention to and try themselves. Butler talked about never giving up, and always striving to improve and get to the next level. That obviously applies to football players, but what about for you? For me? Too many times the obstacles in front of us can make it appear that the goal is just too far away, too unobtainable. Working at Popeye's after getting kicked out of school in 2009, it would have been easy for Butler to give up. But he didn't, and climbed the mountain to reach the ultimate in football.
But his amazing story isn't done with that!
In the interview on ESPN, they asked him about the iconic play which is considered by many as the greatest single play in Super Bowl history. Butler told the story of how they have practiced that very play during the week in preparation for the game. In fact, he failed in the practice and the scrimmage team beat him and completed the pass.
It is very important to practice. In sales, very few salespeople role play enough to practice their pitch and learn from their mistakes. But Butler did. The practice taught him what to look for, and he adjusted in the real game and made the catch that brought the championship to New England.
Never giving up and always strive to get to the next level in your personal development. Keep practicing and learning how to do your job or whatever the task right. Make your mistakes in practice so that when the spotlight shines you are ready to sieze the moment.
This is not about Pete Carroll's play calling decision, though I would have run it. I grew up in a family that spouted the Woody Hayes philosophy to passing the football (Hayes was the long time head coach at Ohio State University). Hayes is quoted as saying that when you pass the football, "only three things can happen, and two of them are bad."
This is about Malcolm Butler, the New England Patroit defender who intercepted the Seahawk's pass in the end zone to secure the win for the Patroits. On my drive into work the day after the game, ESPN's Mike & Mike secured what I think may have been one of the first interviews with the newly minted football hero.
What struck me most about the conversation was the path that Butler had taken to get to the iconic game. He didn't get recruited by the big programs out of high school, didn't get drafted once he was done with college and didn't get the mega-signing bonuses that you see and hear about all of the time. Malcom Butler comes from very humble roots, and not that long ago.
The next time you visit a local Popeye's for some chicken, look around. Probably not the place you'd expect to find a Super Bowl champion, but that is where Butler found himself just a few years ago. After two years of high school football in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Butler attend the football powerhouse of Hinds Community College. And he was kicked out, and ended up at Popeye's working part time. Eventually he made his way to West Alabama, a division two football program.
When asked about his path to the Super Bowl, the ESPN announcers asked him if he ever thought that this could happen. His response was something everyone should pay attention to and try themselves. Butler talked about never giving up, and always striving to improve and get to the next level. That obviously applies to football players, but what about for you? For me? Too many times the obstacles in front of us can make it appear that the goal is just too far away, too unobtainable. Working at Popeye's after getting kicked out of school in 2009, it would have been easy for Butler to give up. But he didn't, and climbed the mountain to reach the ultimate in football.
But his amazing story isn't done with that!
In the interview on ESPN, they asked him about the iconic play which is considered by many as the greatest single play in Super Bowl history. Butler told the story of how they have practiced that very play during the week in preparation for the game. In fact, he failed in the practice and the scrimmage team beat him and completed the pass.
It is very important to practice. In sales, very few salespeople role play enough to practice their pitch and learn from their mistakes. But Butler did. The practice taught him what to look for, and he adjusted in the real game and made the catch that brought the championship to New England.
Never giving up and always strive to get to the next level in your personal development. Keep practicing and learning how to do your job or whatever the task right. Make your mistakes in practice so that when the spotlight shines you are ready to sieze the moment.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Super Bowl advertising price tag is about $4.5 million for a :30 spot for the game this Sunday
"If you build it, they will come" is a phrase most closely associated with the sport of baseball, and specifically the movie Field of Dreams. But that phrase is also appropriate when discussing the ever-growing success of football's Super Bowl coming up this weekend.
In good economies and bad, the total amount of advertising spending has had a steady increase year after year. This year will prove to be no different. The NFL has stumbled on an event, #49 this Sunday when New England plays Seattle, that is amazing thing to watch unfold.
The biggest audience, the best creative and the tension of an event combines into a marketers dream. The beauty of the Super Bowl is that the event means different things to different people. For me, the event is the game even if I am an advertising and marketing professional. But for many people, probably the majority that tune in each year, the event is the advertising and creativity on display.
The Wall Street Journal has compiled some great insight on the marketing associated with the Super Bowl. This year, a :30 spot in the game went for $4.5 million dollars. The mix of advertisers has changed over the years, including less automotive this year. There is no shortage of takers for the limited inventory to reach 100 million Americans. Click here to read the Wall Street Journal article written by Steven Perlbert and Willa Plank.
In good economies and bad, the total amount of advertising spending has had a steady increase year after year. This year will prove to be no different. The NFL has stumbled on an event, #49 this Sunday when New England plays Seattle, that is amazing thing to watch unfold.
The biggest audience, the best creative and the tension of an event combines into a marketers dream. The beauty of the Super Bowl is that the event means different things to different people. For me, the event is the game even if I am an advertising and marketing professional. But for many people, probably the majority that tune in each year, the event is the advertising and creativity on display.
The Wall Street Journal has compiled some great insight on the marketing associated with the Super Bowl. This year, a :30 spot in the game went for $4.5 million dollars. The mix of advertisers has changed over the years, including less automotive this year. There is no shortage of takers for the limited inventory to reach 100 million Americans. Click here to read the Wall Street Journal article written by Steven Perlbert and Willa Plank.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Can American consumers not handle an emotional advertising message?
If you go looking for trouble, eventually you are going to find it. This week, people on that quest has focused on McDonald's and a TV ad that they ran last weekend during the NFL games and on the Golden Globes. I was watching the football games last week and saw the ad as it ran. I had a reaction as well, but much different than those seeking controversy.
Click here to view and decide for yourself!
The TV spot in question showed a montage of McDonald's restaurant message signs, and the messages that they have conveyed over the years with a children's choir singing "Carry On" in the background. Most were very personal and touching, but a few placed focus on national tragedies. "We Remember 9-11" and "Boston Strong" were two that people found offensive.
Not only did I not find it offensive, I found it to be a moving tribute. I recall thinking at the time that this was McDonald's 2015 version of the classic Coke commercial "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing". Very positive, and a great branding commercial.
American's are funny about TV commercials. Perhaps we want to be moved to buy something but do not want to be moved emotionally. Is that possible? Sexual content is commonplace in commercials in Europe and Australia, but largely taboo in the U.S. And now a simple image within a McDonald's commercial is too much for some.
The AP's Candice Choi did an article about the reaction. You can get more details at: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mcdonalds-walks-fine-line-signs-170028992.html
Click here to view and decide for yourself!
The TV spot in question showed a montage of McDonald's restaurant message signs, and the messages that they have conveyed over the years with a children's choir singing "Carry On" in the background. Most were very personal and touching, but a few placed focus on national tragedies. "We Remember 9-11" and "Boston Strong" were two that people found offensive.
Not only did I not find it offensive, I found it to be a moving tribute. I recall thinking at the time that this was McDonald's 2015 version of the classic Coke commercial "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing". Very positive, and a great branding commercial.
American's are funny about TV commercials. Perhaps we want to be moved to buy something but do not want to be moved emotionally. Is that possible? Sexual content is commonplace in commercials in Europe and Australia, but largely taboo in the U.S. And now a simple image within a McDonald's commercial is too much for some.
The AP's Candice Choi did an article about the reaction. You can get more details at: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mcdonalds-walks-fine-line-signs-170028992.html
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Newspaper protects the First Admendment and scores a marketing win at the same time
To say that it is tough to publish a newspapers these days is a big understatement. The pressure comes from many different angles: owners/stockholders who want to make more money, digital competitors trying to take audience and diminished use of traditional print by consumers just to name a few.
Add in a crack-pot politician threatening to go against the First Admendment of the Constitution, and you've got the situation being faced by the Frederick News-Press in Frederick, Maryland. Local councilman Kirby Delauter decided recently to threaten court action if the local newspaper printed his name. Nevermind the Constitution which protects the press or any other rational thought, Delauter felt he was above the Bill of Rights.
Delauter has since apologized for threatening the reporter and the newspaper. But the lesson learned is in the reaction that the newspaper had to the initial issue. Their editorial, which they actually released online prior to print, was intended to achieve two goals; both of which they knocked out of the park in my opinion.
First, they wanted to send a message to Delauter, and any other hack politician for that matter, that the Constitution still matters, and the local newspaper still matters. My guess is this stand has been a huge win for the News-Press in their local marketplace. Like the politician or not, people tend to rally around when an official tries to bully people, or institutions in this case.
Also, this has been a huge plus for the newspaper with marketing. I'm in Indiana blogging about this, and found out about this situation from a local TV station. The web traffic they have been able to harness from this on some level has to mean money. More than money is the opportunity to show staffers and advertisers the power of their digital platform.
To truly appreciate the creativity put into the situation, you need to read the official editorial published about four days ago. You can read it on the Frederick News-Press website, at: http://m.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/kirby-delauter-kirby-delauter-kirby-delauter/article_da85d6f4-fa3c-524f-bbf6-8e5ddc0d1c0a.html?mode=jqm
It is a great editorial with some hidden jabs in it. For instance, if you take the first letter of each paragraph they form the name of the politician, Kirby Delauter.
Brilliantly done. Kudos.
Add in a crack-pot politician threatening to go against the First Admendment of the Constitution, and you've got the situation being faced by the Frederick News-Press in Frederick, Maryland. Local councilman Kirby Delauter decided recently to threaten court action if the local newspaper printed his name. Nevermind the Constitution which protects the press or any other rational thought, Delauter felt he was above the Bill of Rights.
Delauter has since apologized for threatening the reporter and the newspaper. But the lesson learned is in the reaction that the newspaper had to the initial issue. Their editorial, which they actually released online prior to print, was intended to achieve two goals; both of which they knocked out of the park in my opinion.
First, they wanted to send a message to Delauter, and any other hack politician for that matter, that the Constitution still matters, and the local newspaper still matters. My guess is this stand has been a huge win for the News-Press in their local marketplace. Like the politician or not, people tend to rally around when an official tries to bully people, or institutions in this case.
Also, this has been a huge plus for the newspaper with marketing. I'm in Indiana blogging about this, and found out about this situation from a local TV station. The web traffic they have been able to harness from this on some level has to mean money. More than money is the opportunity to show staffers and advertisers the power of their digital platform.
To truly appreciate the creativity put into the situation, you need to read the official editorial published about four days ago. You can read it on the Frederick News-Press website, at: http://m.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/kirby-delauter-kirby-delauter-kirby-delauter/article_da85d6f4-fa3c-524f-bbf6-8e5ddc0d1c0a.html?mode=jqm
It is a great editorial with some hidden jabs in it. For instance, if you take the first letter of each paragraph they form the name of the politician, Kirby Delauter.
Brilliantly done. Kudos.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Smarter retailing by businesses to target consumers without discounting too much in advertising messages
January 1 is always a highly optimistic day for all of us. A clean slate of a year in front of us, and hopefully perspective on the past year. Here's to a happy and prosperous New Year for us all.
Looking ahead to 2015 for marketing and advertising, one of the big trends to come will be the use of data to target advertising messages even more than we've seen in the recent past. This past holiday shopping season has several examples in it which I believe are big signs for the future.
The best example is Kohl's, at least in my household. It seems like we get Kohl's offers weekly through direct mail, in addition to their inserts in the daily newspaper. The direct mail often has the peal away sticker with a discount coupon. The longer you go between making purchases on your Kohl's credit card, the larger that discount sticker; topping out at 30% off I believe. While I don't have inside information on how Kohl's does their mailing and discount patterns, it seems obvious to me that they have tied in their marketing database with their credit card database, taking consumer spending habits and blending them with discount offers.
Kohl's is certainly not alone.
The Wall Street Journal's Shelly Banjo had a great article on how retailers are targeting offers to consumers to not only lure shoppers, but to also increase profit margins, average sale and more. The Wall Street Journal article is behind a paywall, but you can read it on Yahoo Finance.
Smart retailing will get more people in the store, but will also keep average sales higher since they are not offering deep discounts to consumers that are willing to pay full retail price. From the article:
A fifth of online shoppers are considered true “discount junkies,” people who make purchases only when plied with discounts, according to new data from AgilOne Inc., which works with 150 retailers to analyze customers’ purchases and predict their behavior. About 15% of shoppers generally pay full price for items and don’t bother searching for sales.
It is hard to predict what 2015 will have in store for us. I do believe retailing will continue to see difficulties, despite a solid retailing holiday season. As old-line retailers like Sears / K-Mart struggle to find black ink on their ledgers, smart retailing like described in this article might be a way to increase sales, traffic and profitability.
Looking ahead to 2015 for marketing and advertising, one of the big trends to come will be the use of data to target advertising messages even more than we've seen in the recent past. This past holiday shopping season has several examples in it which I believe are big signs for the future.
The best example is Kohl's, at least in my household. It seems like we get Kohl's offers weekly through direct mail, in addition to their inserts in the daily newspaper. The direct mail often has the peal away sticker with a discount coupon. The longer you go between making purchases on your Kohl's credit card, the larger that discount sticker; topping out at 30% off I believe. While I don't have inside information on how Kohl's does their mailing and discount patterns, it seems obvious to me that they have tied in their marketing database with their credit card database, taking consumer spending habits and blending them with discount offers.
Kohl's is certainly not alone.
The Wall Street Journal's Shelly Banjo had a great article on how retailers are targeting offers to consumers to not only lure shoppers, but to also increase profit margins, average sale and more. The Wall Street Journal article is behind a paywall, but you can read it on Yahoo Finance.
Smart retailing will get more people in the store, but will also keep average sales higher since they are not offering deep discounts to consumers that are willing to pay full retail price. From the article:
A fifth of online shoppers are considered true “discount junkies,” people who make purchases only when plied with discounts, according to new data from AgilOne Inc., which works with 150 retailers to analyze customers’ purchases and predict their behavior. About 15% of shoppers generally pay full price for items and don’t bother searching for sales.
It is hard to predict what 2015 will have in store for us. I do believe retailing will continue to see difficulties, despite a solid retailing holiday season. As old-line retailers like Sears / K-Mart struggle to find black ink on their ledgers, smart retailing like described in this article might be a way to increase sales, traffic and profitability.
Friday, December 26, 2014
15 tips for business and leadership offered up by Pope Francis
Just before Christmas, I wrote about how I don't offer up the traditional memo any longer. I have great respect for the memo that Warren Buffett offered up to managers within Berkshire Hathaway, which proved that there is still a place in business for a well written memo from the top.
Hours after writing that post, I heard about another great memo for business leaders that was offered up over the past few days. It came from a much different source that business icon Buffett, but is quite possibly more relevant. It was the annual Christmas address from Pope Francis to the leaders of the Roman Catholic church, and what he called 15 ailments that are plaguing the Curia.
As I listened to a debate rage on Fox News about the thoughts of the Pope, I was struck that his concerns with the leadership at the Vatican were concerns most people would have about their own workplace. Once I got home, I did an online search and found an article written by Inc. Magazine's Graham Winfrey (twitter @GrahamWinfrey) that took a similar look at the business applications to the concerns expressed by the Pope.
Pope Francis touch on the following areas of concerns, which are most likely applicable to your operations on some level:
False indispensability
Workaholism
Corporate disillusionment
Perfectionism
Poor communication
Forgotten mission statement
Excessive competition
Institutionalization
Office gossip
Brownnosing
Isolationalism
Disgruntled-employee syndrome
Materialism
Office cliques
Power-hungry employees
Hours after writing that post, I heard about another great memo for business leaders that was offered up over the past few days. It came from a much different source that business icon Buffett, but is quite possibly more relevant. It was the annual Christmas address from Pope Francis to the leaders of the Roman Catholic church, and what he called 15 ailments that are plaguing the Curia.
As I listened to a debate rage on Fox News about the thoughts of the Pope, I was struck that his concerns with the leadership at the Vatican were concerns most people would have about their own workplace. Once I got home, I did an online search and found an article written by Inc. Magazine's Graham Winfrey (twitter @GrahamWinfrey) that took a similar look at the business applications to the concerns expressed by the Pope.
Pope Francis touch on the following areas of concerns, which are most likely applicable to your operations on some level:
False indispensability
Workaholism
Corporate disillusionment
Perfectionism
Poor communication
Forgotten mission statement
Excessive competition
Institutionalization
Office gossip
Brownnosing
Isolationalism
Disgruntled-employee syndrome
Materialism
Office cliques
Power-hungry employees
Often I have said that churches need to think and act a little more like a business. That statement will not always sit well with some, and I don't suggest that a church must act like a business all the time. Acts of faith and spiritual callings do not fit into a business concept every time. But the list provided by Pope Francis is very translatable to the business world, and leaders (from the church and businesses) would do well to give consideration to the pitfalls laid out in his message.
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