Life's for sharing

Have you seen the T-Mobile ad with all the people dancing on Liverpool Street station?

As psychologists will tell you, anything that moves along with you, feels as though it is somehow part of you e.g. your clothing, your car. There is a feeling of great one-ness when other people do the same thing at the same time as you do e.g. having sex, marching armies.

Anyone want to join me dancing in the street?

Watch the dance on YouTube.

Ads I wish I'd written (part 6)

"I in 5 people have dandruff. 1 in 4 people have mental health problems. I've had both."

So says Ruby Wax in a Government 'Time for Change' print ad to end mental health discrimination.

Read about the campaign.

The text seems simple, doesn't it. Short and sweet. And poignant.

But it couldn't have been written without a considerable amount of inspiration and research.

Another reason why copywriters don't charge by the word!

There's no such thing as bad publicity

I'm often telling my clients that 'bottom-up' testimonials sell you far better than 'top down' marketing-speak*. And that customer reviews are becoming increasingly important as sales tools e.g. Amazon and Tripadvisor.

But what do you do if you get a bad review?

Pub owner challenges mystery reviewer to a duel.

With a great sense of humour like that, I bet the pub gets more custom now!

* That's why testimonial writing is one of the services I provide.

Is this topical or what?

From the Australian Daily Telegraph 22/1/09 (with thanks to Wilbur).

So what can small business-owners learn from this? It's always wise to keep an eye on what's happening in the media, and see how you can turn the news to your advantage.

Gimme a break

I don't like the Take a Break ad. But then, I don't much like the magazine, either.

Longer lasting sex is BANNED

Quite right too!



Read all about it on www.guardian.co.uk.

Top tip Media placement is key. This ad might be fine in Viz, but not on the High Street. Sanpro ads are OK in Woman magazine, but not on CeeBeebies. And, if you provide training for ex-service personnel, like my newest client, advertising in the army resettlement magazine makes perfect sense. As they say in marketing and in the military, it's all about targeting.

'Bad ad' sent to me by a well-wisher

MOT???