DAN O’DAY TALKS ABOUT RADIO

ENTRIES #14, 15, 16: Make A Better "Target" Radio Commercial Contest

by Dan O'Day on March 16, 2009

For those of you scoring along at home, we have 17 more entries in our “Can You Write Better Than This Junk” contest to share between now and Saturday. The following week: The judging begins. (Get ready to vote. Just in case I decide to add the illusion of democracy to this contest.)

Paul Fredricks explains:

“I played off the ‘nature’ theme, since I can’t visualize a motif. Be gentle, I’m still dealing with being discarded by Les Moonves a few months back. Hey Dan, maybe Les would add some of his $18M bonus from last year to the prize pot? I’m sorry, did I say that out loud?”

Paul Fredericks:

Brianna Logan is a student at Mount Royal College.

“I went with the nature angle, hope you like it.”

Brianna Logan

Jessica Seabourne also is a student at Mount Royal College:

“Please let me know what you think. Even it is good or bad, and what I could do to change it.”

Jessica Seabourne

Okay, judges: Unleash the hounds….

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WONDERFUL SPOT BY A "BEGINNER"

by Dan O'Day on March 15, 2009

I’ve created this post for any Radio Advertising Letter subscribers who would like to comment on Hugh McLeod’s remark about advertising, the old-fashioned Christmas sales promotion, my secret for writing effective radio commercials, and/or the terrific spot by Terri Beers in the newest issue.

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BOBBY OCEAN’S SUNDAY RADIO CARTOON: Corporate Radio

by Dan O'Day on March 15, 2009

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ENTRIES #11, 12, 13: Make A Better "Target" Radio Commercial Contest

by Dan O'Day on March 14, 2009

Per the long-standing tradition of This Blog, whenever I need a striking visual to add to my breathtaking prose I turn to my Tuesday Weld archives. This photo is from the film (which I enjoyed even when she wasn’t on-screen), ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA.

We have 21 more entries to consider before rendering the Final Judgment in my groundbreaking, earth shattering (kind of the same thing, no?)…uh, turf tearing “Can You Write Better Than This Junk” contest.

That means 3 per day through Saturday, March 21. With the exception of Sunday — which, of course, is reserved for the solemnly traditional Bobby Ocean Radio Cartoon.

Many of the contestants have remarked that the challenge alone has been fun for them. So when you mercilessly attack their spots, you might want to remember that we’re all at different skill and experience levels. And we’re all trying our best.

Gary Gerber:

Michael Flowers:

Mary Doherty:

Okay, judges, what do you think?

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INSENSITIVE CREATIVITY WARNING Entries #9 & #10: Make A Better "Target" Radio Commercial

by Dan O'Day on March 13, 2009

Two more entries in our “Can You Write Better Than This Junk” Contest. I’m pretty sure one of them will offend some readers.

The first is from Gary Burgess:

Gary explains:

“I no longer work in commercial radio, now that I’m at the BBC – but I thought I’d give this Target competition a go. You might think this is a load of tosh – in which case feel free to delete!

The thrust of the ad is that in a stress-filled world, it might be more cost-effective to fill your home with some soothing and calming furnishings, than spend a fortune on therapy!”

And then there’s this entry from David Sprague:

“This commercial was inspired by practically every trip to Target with my wife. There is no such thing as, ‘I just want to look around for a minute.’ “

Your comments, Dear Readers?

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