When you have a good thing going, why would you try to change it? Remember the phrase, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it”? I wonder that about a lot of things. One thing that puzzles me is why manufacturers or agencies change an advertisement that is working fine.
Sometimes after watching a flashy commercial complete with all the latest TV hijinks, I ask, “Now what were they advertising?” The delivery gets in the way of the product.
Does anybody remember Ipana toothpaste? This was most popular in the 1950s. A cute little Beaver named Bucky would assume the identity of an engineer, a space cadet, or something else and sing, “Brusha-brusha, brusha with the new Ipana...”.
Who could forget Dinah Shore singing, “See the USA in your Chevrolet…” Of course Dinah is no longer with us so there’s a good reason not to see that particular commercial any more.
Alka Seltzer had some of the cutest and most unforgettable commercials. A little animated guy called Speedy (see how even his name means quick relief?) came out and convinced us that any stomach upset was only a “plop-plop, fizz, fizz oh what a relief it is” away.
Many years ago, before we had a television, Dad eagerly waited for Wednesday and the Wednesday Night Fights on radio. I didn’t care for boxing but I sure remember those commercials. One was for Hamms Beer. I am not a beer drinker and neither was Dad; nor do I recommend it but that company out of Minnesota had some mighty cute ads with memorable jingles. I liked the Hamms Bear and the way he beat an old log for a drum to the song, “From the land of sky-blue waters…” Is Hamms still around?
Another advertiser on Dad’s night of boxing was Gillette Blue Blades. Ingrained in my memory are these words: “To look sharp and to feel sharp too, get the razor that was meant for you…”
More recently, Taster’s Choice coffee had a really creative way of advertising. It was reminiscent of a soap opera; two people met and fell in love over a cup (or more) of Taster’s Choice. It was interesting to see their romance progress. But, where’d they go? Did they get married and have children? Are they grandparents now? I miss those two!
Rhymes or songs, stick with us, they absolutely lodge in the brain and there’s no way of getting rid of them! (And some, I’d like to.) But, there’s no accounting for commercials or who decides what to publicize and how to go about it. I had a really good idea for a commercial once upon a time and mailed it in to a particular company. They politely thanked me but said they had their own group of paid writers to do their work. Well! Huh! Maybe they should get some new, fresh ideas or dust off those wonderful, memorable, catchy old ones! Just think of the sales they lost because they trashed my wonderful, creative plan!
While we are thinking about advertising and memorable clips, let me remind you of my YouTube Book Trailer for Grave Shift. Thanks to everyone who shared the link,viewed the video, and gave Darcy and Flora a try. Just click on https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vj5RvBQSaNc?rel=0″
Let’s see, what sort of jingle could I write to go with that? Something about a letter and Darcy should have known better?
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