The Age of Persuasion

Season 4: “Slogans”

Posted by Age of Persuasion on February 05 at 03:12 PM

Airs on Radio One:
Saturday 6 February, 2010 10am
Monday 8 February 2010 11:30am

The word slogan- (which by the way, is a word ad people never, ever use) derives from the Gaelic “slaugh gairn”, meaning “cry of the host,” or “battle cry.” Slogans were once an advertising staple- the brief, pithy line that embodies a brand and its promise- from “A Little Dab’ll Do Ya” to “Trust your Car to the Man Who Wears the Star,” to- dare we say- “Canada Lives Here.” But nowadays, as Terry O’Reilly explains, the slogan is dying out, as major brands turn from words to sentiments, emotions and icons.

Listen to this episode as streaming audio (runs 27:30):

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Season 4: “Persuasion Fail”

Posted by Age of Persuasion on January 29 at 02:55 PM

Airs on Radio One:
Saturday 30 January, 2010 10am
Monday 1 February 2010 11:30am

Search the words “Commercial Fail” on YouTube, and you quickly learn that advertising mishaps are funny, bizarre, and prolific. This week, Terry O’Reilly takes a break from his customary celebration of great advertising, and offers a tour of some of the great train wrecks of his industry. From Burger King’s disastrous “Where’s Herb”, to a lesser-known, and spectacularly unsuccessful margarine commercial featuring- yes- Eleanor Roosevelt.

Listen to this episode as streaming audio (runs 27:30):

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Terry O'Reilly also on Q on Monday

Posted by Age of Persuasion on January 22 at 04:55 PM

Terry O'Reilly, ad expert and broadcaster, talks about his book, an irreverent look at the industry, called "The Age of Persuasion: How Marketing Ate Our Culture."
10 am and 10 pm on Radio One!

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Season 4: “Heroes & Villains”

Posted by Age of Persuasion on January 21 at 06:25 PM

Airs on Radio One:
Saturday 23 January, 2010 10am
Monday 25 January 2010 11:30am

Just as Lex Luthor makes Superman more heroic, and Moriarty makes Holmes more brilliant, heroes are defined by the villains they face. In marketing- a brand is often defined by the problem it solves- or the rival brand it’s up against. This week Terry O’Reilly shows how strong villains, problems, obstacles and rivals play a vital role in building up a ‘hero’ brand. And he’ll explain how comparison ads can turn rival ‘hero’ brands into villains.

Listen to this episode as streaming audio (runs 27:30):

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Season 4: “Pitchmen”

Posted by Age of Persuasion on January 13 at 05:10 PM

Airs on Radio One:
Saturday 16 January, 2010 10am
Monday 18 January 2010 11:30am

Maybe it’s the DNA. Or too much caffeine at a young age. What is that special gift that enables great pitchmen to part us from our money? And what is that part of us that wants to be pitched? Hold on to your wallet: this week Terry O’Reilly looks at the natural born pitchmen- from the travelling medicine shows of the early 20th Century, to the late-great Billy Mays. He’ll explain what separates the true pitchmen- such as Vince “Slap-Chop” Shlomi, from high-octane celebrity spokespeople, such as Priceline’s William Shatner. And he’ll chronicle the pitchman’s ouster from prime time broadcast to the low-rent districts of shopping channels and infomercials.

Listen to this episode as streaming audio (runs 27:30):

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