An Outside Review of Radio

While I haven’t stayed away from criticizing local radio advertising, here’s something from outside of the Idaho Ad Agencies Blog:

Dum adds: Weight Watchers, Body Wraps & Saturn — Don over at Idaho Radio has a few critiques about a few of the more recent spots that have been on the air as of late.

My two cents worth — it is this kind of continually bad advertising on the radio that has led to the fact that, on average, only 1% of the listeners are paying attention to a given commercial.

In regards to Don’s comments about the Zamzows spots — those spots work, even with Jim Zamzow doing the voice work, because they aren’t trying to explicitly use the spot to sell something. They’re offering advice on lawn care, pet care, etc. and what you may hear on the radio is the same information that Rick will tell me the next time I go into the Zamzow’s on State Street. Is it all part of some grand marketing plan? A little, perhaps. But more than that, it is Jim, and the rest of the Zamzow’s staff, offering up some good advice, telling the Zamzow’s story, and offering a subtle reminder that they’re the place that where you can get everything that you need. Call it neighborly advice that doesn’t have to try to sound like “neighborly advice.”

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Anonymous Job Openings in Boise

I came across a couple of anonymous job openings posted on the Boise Craigslist site this morning:

Marketing Concept/Copywriter – Looking for a copywriting concept pro.
Art Director/Graphic Designer – Looking for an experienced designer who can create just about anything.

Anyone care to shed some light on who might be doing the hiring?

UPDATE: I received a tip that these are positions at Rizen Creative in Boise.

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Es/drake work recognized

Es/drake’s work for the Idaho Commerce & Labor’s Division of Tourism has been recognized at the national level.

The 2006 Idaho Travel Guide was named the best travel guide in the U.S. by the Travel Industry Association of America. More information about the recognition can be found here.

Congratulations to the folks over at es/drake for the nod.

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Calling all students

Chevy announced last week that it has invited students to participate in The Chevy Super Bowl Ad Challenge, which will allow a team of 2-3 students to create a concept for a spot to be aired during the Super Bowl in February 2007.

John January wrote up a great recap on how the whole creative process might play out over at the American Copywriter blog. Coming from the creative/agency point of view, I think John is spot-on in his assessment of what will happen. That being said, however, I’d still encourage any interested student to take a look.

Registration must be completed by September 22nd, and submissions are due by October 13th. Its high pressure on a short timeline, but that’s life in the advertising business.

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Now this is the kind of attitude to have

So this story isn’t necessarily marketing or advertising related, but it does involve a local business, and its just too good not to share.

I just read on The Idaho Statesman’s website that the women’s fashion boutique store Ishi is going to be closing. Business concerns were a factor in the decision, of course, but the very last line in the article sums up a fantastic attitude to have:

“Every year I would say, next year I’ll have more time to garden and spend time with my husband Pete,” she said. Now, it’s here. “I’m creating my next year.”

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