Can QVC Succeed with Instant TV Ordering Where Everyone Else has Failed?

QVC Wants to Eliminate Telemarketing Costs with Instant TV OrderingThere’s news out this week the QVC is going to seek one of the tech world’s holy grails of TV advertising…
Read More: Can QVC Succeed with Instant TV Ordering Where Everyone Else has Failed?

Even Cars Can Be Shelf Potatoes. Consider Volkswagon’s Eurovan

Eurovan vacation in Eastern WashingtonTwo and a half years ago I purchased my 2001 Eurovan (Weekender) – a pop top camper that carries 7, sleeps four, hauls 4′ by 8′
Read More: Even Cars Can Be Shelf Potatoes. Consider Volkswagon’s Eurovan

Old Spice? Same old problem. Agencies Need to Learn Business Planning Skills

A few years ago I heard an author speak about his new advertising book. His primary claim was that clients turn down great creative because they are ignorant. Challenging thought.…
Read More: Old Spice? Same old problem. Agencies Need to Learn Business Planning Skills

Tech Products Fail to “Cross the Chasm” Because of Communication

Communication is all-to-often the reason that products don’t make it across the chasm. Yet this is under-reported in the literature, perhaps because it’s easier to blame the technology. Or because…
Read More: Tech Products Fail to “Cross the Chasm” Because of Communication

Eight (8) Reasons Products Sit on the Retail Shelf

Grills like this were on the shelf for nearly 20 years before communication made a breakthrough Grills nearly identical to George Foreman’s lingered on store shelves for nearly 20 years.
Read More: Eight (8) Reasons Products Sit on the Retail Shelf

If a Fact Can’t be Found On the Internet, Does It Exist?

In their recent announcement, the folks at GoogleTV told us they’d make TV programs easier to find by searching the Internet. Of course this is an absurd idea. And this…
Read More: If a Fact Can’t be Found On the Internet, Does It Exist?

Does iPhone 4 Review Say More About Consumer Reports than Apple?

The perception of Consumer Reports is that it’s an organization dedicated to thoughtful reviews that help consumers sort through complicated purchases. And because of thoroughness, neutrality and independence, consumers came…
Read More: Does iPhone 4 Review Say More About Consumer Reports than Apple?

The Unspoken Costs of TV Over the Internet…

The following article in the NY Times suggests that so-called “free” internet services are anything but free (click here)…. Why? Because there’s always a cost. And on the internet,
Read More: The Unspoken Costs of TV Over the Internet…

Snuggie wasn't a new product. So what should brands learn (and not learn) from it's DRTV success?

This is a post on my other blog – “TheShelfPotato”…. Talks about Snuggie AND about the lessons brands should learn about Snuggie. As well as how brands shouldn’t follow
Read More: Snuggie wasn't a new product. So what should brands learn (and not learn) from it's DRTV success?

Snuggie was A Shelf Potato

Why would a shelf potato this cozy want to race out the door? For years, a blanket with sleeves called the Slanket sat on shelves. And it wasn’t alone as
Read More: Snuggie was A Shelf Potato

Marketing Tech Like Consumer Goods: Move Beyond Cool.

Apple is proving that the future requires treating technology like a consumer good. But to get there, we have to start changing our communication And that starts by getting a…
Read More: Marketing Tech Like Consumer Goods: Move Beyond Cool.

Death of the Focus Group? Not When You Make them Productive.

My last post discussed how powerful focus groups are for guiding advertising development. And, why most arguments against them are, frankly, silly. So why do we hear so much negativity…
Read More: Death of the Focus Group? Not When You Make them Productive.

Shelf potato alert – Microsoft Kin mobile phone

By Ben Smith “From half baked spud to dud in 2 months is no way to go through a life-cycle son.” Article: “Death of the Microsoft Kin: A Look at …
Read More: Shelf potato alert – Microsoft Kin mobile phone