The END of "March Madness" for another 11 months!

[argytunes]

I don't know about the rest of you...but I can hardly wait until Tuesday, April 1st!

If I had a dollar for every audio or video reference to MARCH MADNESS---I would be a multi-billionaire! ;D

How long is it is going to take for car and furniture dealers, supermarkets and other advertisers to drop this FOOLISH TERM? It's old, it's tired, and it's a "come-on" for businesses that really aren't offering anything extraordinary---except for making many of their employees look (or act) stupid in front of a camera or microphone! :-[

argytunes

 

[12 In a Row]

I look at from another angle.

Car dealers, furniture stores, supermarkets and others spent LOTS of money advertising March Madness on TV and radio. Thats a good thing for all us.

 

[argytunes]

But 12 in a row...

Do you honestly believe that the consumer can tell the difference between one "March Madness" sale over another? Unless you give each ad a use of the phraserating from "CLEVER" to "EXTREMELY STUPID!"

argytunes

 

[mistermicrophone]

But 12 in a row...

Do you honestly believe that the consumer can tell the difference between one "March Madness" sale over another? Unless you give each ad a use of the phraserating from "CLEVER" to "EXTREMELY STUPID!"

argytunes

I think 12's point is that people are actually advertising and spending money on our industry that is hurting. While it is the job of the AE's to make sure they are buying the right stations and in the right dayparts, it's not the AE's job to create the sale name for the client. If they come in and say "we're gonna run a March Madness sale", as copywriter and /or production director, you write the best ad you can (if it's even produced locally to begin with).

 

[argytunes]

Point well made, mistermicrophone!

Assuming a radio or television station has a competent copywriter (or an AE who doubles as one)...you'd think that person could be a little more creative than fall back on the term: "MARCH MADNESS?"

Wouldn't it be great if a car dealer or furniture store hussler completely lost it on camera? The final 5 seconds of the ad would feature him (or her) being carted off in a straight jacket with the spokesperson screaming the words: I'M NOT CRAZY! THESE MARCH SPECIALS ARE HERE UNTIL THE 31ST...BUY 'EM BEFORE I GO BESERK!"

argytunes

 

[mistermicrophone]

Assuming a radio or television station has a competent copywriter (or an AE who doubles as one)...you'd think that person could be a little more creative than fall back on the term: "MARCH MADNESS?"

Huh?? I think you missed my point. If Jim @ "Jim's Super Stuff Emporium" calls his sale the "March Madness Sale", how does this become the AE or copywriter's fault?? If Jim calls his sale that and the copywriter DIDN'T use the name in the spot, said copywriter should be fired because Jim will take his cash and go elsewhere to spend it!?!

 

[12 In a Row]

Mr. Mic, you got it!

Yes, creative would love to have a client "hand us the keys and say, you drive."
However, most of the folks writing the checks have their own ideas about what they want to call their sale.

We can possibly suggest a different twist.
If they have thousands to spend, you smile and take their money or they will go elsewhere.
Besides, most ad agencies handle the creative.

 

[Oldbones]

Assuming a radio or television station has a competent copywriter (or an AE who doubles as one)...you'd think that person could be a little more creative than fall back on the term: "MARCH MADNESS?"

Wouldn't it be great if a car dealer or furniture store hussler completely lost it on camera? The final 5 seconds of the ad would feature him (or her) being carted off in a straight jacket with the spokesperson screaming the words: I'M NOT CRAZY! THESE MARCH SPECIALS ARE HERE UNTIL THE 31ST...BUY 'EM BEFORE I GO BESERK!"

I'm sure it's been done, though I'm guessing it's more than a little politically incorrect these days. :-\

Really, is trying to cash in on the "hoop"-la surrounding the college basketball playoffs any different than building a promotion around the Superbowl® or President's day? Is anyone really so naive as to think they're getting any better a deal on a new car in February than any other time? Of course not, but the car dealers think so and are willing to put large amounts of $$$ in our coffers to get their (annoying) message across.

 

[argytunes]

Oldbones...

You re-emphasized my point! "March Madness" Deals are rarely better than what the consumer would get during the other 11 months?

The only exception MIGHT be with automobiles or small trucks that require $40-$75.00 to...err...tank up! :

argytunes

 

[WLYNWAZNgm]

... and if you notice , in the fine print, that the great deal is X% off the
"manufacturers' suggested retail selling price" - how good a deal are you
really getting? Just look at places that have "going out of business sales"
that go on for, say, 20 YEARS...

 

[mistermicrophone]

Oldbones...

You re-emphasized my point! "March Madness" Deals are rarely better than what the consumer would get during the other 11 months?

The only exception MIGHT be with automobiles or small trucks that require $40-$75.00 to...err...tank up! :

argytunes

...but the same thing can be said about ANY sale at ANY time of the year. Once again, just be happy people are spending money on our stations!!