If It's Not Entertaining, It's Just Information

A Dummy's Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Mannequin American

If It's Not Entertaining, It's Just Information

Not so long ago, the holy grail in marketing and communications was any tool that "broke through the clutter," by being attention getting, memorable and persuasive.

Today, in the world of the Internet, digital video recorders, mobile devices and myriad other technology ... all in the hands of buyers and employees ... the new holy grail is "multiplied exposure". In other words you want your messages and ideas picked up, shared, played with and assimilated into the lives of those in your targeted audience.

No matter what type of B2B you're in, to reach multiplied exposure, make your message as entertaining (interesting) as it is practical. In this data-packed world, if it's not entertaining, it's just information ... and that's not enough to gain awareness.

The Monsters Won't Eat You

Stride gum mostly just advertises its long-lastingness. But in its latest spot, a father is seen reassuring his daughter that scary monsters won't eat her while she's sleeping. It's not that monsters don't exist, he says; it's just that they're too busy chewing Stride gum to bother eating you. Sick humor that I like, but I don't know if Stride gum customers will appreciate.

You Need a Boyfriend

"If you act now, you'll receive an additional Boyfriend absolutely free!" Click here to see this very funny infomercial selling the advantages of having a boyfriend. After watching the video, even I wanted a boyfriend ... except for the "sex at the drop of a hat," part.

"A Smile is the Best Makeup"

From our friend Gene Mueller: On a show where the women are practically naked, ABC thought this spot was too much for prime time.  It wouldn't let you see this Lane Bryant commercial during "Dancing With The Stars", saying it showed too much. It's since been aired on several channels.  Click here to see the ad and judge for yourself.

You're Going to Thank Me for This One

If you take your laptops to meetings, you're going to love this. If you don't take your laptops to meetings, at the very least you'll be able to annoy cubicle mates to the breaking point.

Ladies and gentlemen, behold the tool of awesomeness called Instants!

This website provides a comprehensive sound board of all of the effects and sound bites that you could ever want, right at your fingertips. If you want to make a point during a meeting with a line from South Park, a rim shot, crickets ... whatever ... just push the right button and get the line or sound that you want. Go forth, and annoy.

Dunham's Worldwide Following

If you've seen Jeff Dunham's recent show you know that as an encore he brings out Bubba and does a bit from a previous DVD. During his encore Jeff says that it's been awhile since he's used Bubba so he takes out some notes to help him remember the routine. The audience's reaction is always the same ... and it's hysterical to watch and to hear.

But would the routine work across the ocean? Here's part of a letter from Walter van der Hoeven (Netherlands) to Clinton Detweiler. Clinton shared the letter on his blog.

"I went to see Jeff Dunham's Identity Crisis tour in Amsterdam the Netherlands last night. He was really great. The newspapers in Holland this morning were praising him on adapting his act to current events in the Netherlands; and the work that would have taken, just for 3 shows in the Netherlands. They also wrote: ‘Memorable events took place last night where ventriloquist puppets were welcomed like rockstars.'

"At the end of the night when Jeff took out his last puppet Bubba J, he explained to the public he did not use this puppet for a while. So he needed a little note with Bubba J's lines. From that moment on the audience was filling in Bubba J's lines, when Jeff asked him questions. Bubba J complained he heard thousands of voices in his head. Jeff told the public it was the weirdest show he ever experienced. The public knew Bubba J's lines better than Jeff himself!"

I guess Walter's letter is proof that humor transcends language barriers. Jeff's humor keeps gaining fans around the world.

Congrats to Jeff on another successful European tour.

The Downside of My Family Tree

I hate to say it, but this may be how I was conceived.