Infomercials- So Bad They're Good?

I'm not a hipster commercial snob (if such a creature exists), I love written, shot, produced commercials that are so good you're embarrassed that they make you feel something.

Cannon's "Inspired" commercial from last year is a great example:

But I have to admit, I also have a real love from commercials that fall into the "so bad their good" category. Terribly cheesy and repetitive, I am a sucker for their blatant sales pitch. If you're selling a miracle cure, a "as seen on TV gadget, or a short-time fad- you don't have the time or money fool around with branding.

Lemonade Day Indianapolis is Saturday, May 19th!

What is Lemonade Day?

Lemonade Day is a free, Greater Indianapolis Area initiative to teach youth how to start, own and operate their own lemonade business.

Launched in Houston four years ago, Lemonade Day has expanded to Indianapolis, spearheaded by local entrepreneur Scott Jones, known for leading ChaCha as one of the fastest growing mobile and online properties.

How does it work?

On Saturday, May 19^th, children will set up their lemonade stands across Indianapolis and surrounding areas learning important life skills while having fun. Prior to Lemonade Day, kids register via a “Caring Adults” through the Lemonade Day Indianapolis website, or through one of the partner organizations such as the YMCA or the Girl Scouts. Then, kids work through lesson plans with a caring adult about how to start a lemonade business.  Kids get to keep the money they earn on Lemonade Day, and they are encouraged to spend a little, save a little, and share a little. Last year, over 10,000 Greater Indianapolis Area kids participated with an Average Gross Revenue per stand of $133, for a Total Gross Revenue of $1,330,890. Of that amount, the children of Indianapolis donated back to the community over $600,000!

What ages participate, and what is a “Caring Adult?”

Kids Pre-K through high school can participate, through the sweet spot involves first through sixth graders. A “Caring Adult” might be a parent, grandparent, or teacher- this person will work with the child to prepare for and participate in Lemonade Day.

What do kids learn?

Every child who registers gets a FREE bright yellow backpack containing two workbooks: one for the child and one for the adult. These books teach important life skills: Setting Goals, Business Planning, Finding an Investor, Site Selection, Advertising, Building a Stand, Purchasing, Making Lemonade, Setting Up, Running the Business, Accounting, Banking and Giving Back.

Can I still get involved?

Absolutely!

• TO PARTICIPATE: Kids and adults can register online at http://indianapolis.lemonadeday.org/
• TO VOLUNTEER: Register through the VolunteerSpot Website or email Jami Marsh at jmarsh@thinkforwardfoundation.org
• TO SPONSOR: Email Jami Marsh at jmarsh@thinkforwardfoundation.org or call 317-691-2507

Don't forget to support the budding entrepreneurs of Greater Indianapolis by visiting lemonade stands on Saturday, May 19^th! Find a Lemonade Day Stand near you!

AdWeek's 30 Freakiest Ads of 2011

Tim Nudd, compiler of brilliance and weirdness (mostly weirdness) for AdWeek, has assembled the 30 Freakiest Ads of 2011. Every single one of them are worth your time (although some of the PSAs are pretty tough to watch), but my favorites for style and bizarreness are:

Suntory "Rickey" by Denstu (Tokyo)

Final Word on PSSS- WebTastic!

The final thing I must point out about PSSS is their website. If you're into online marketing, you constantly read about interacting with your customers- building online community, delivering value.

This is something Jon does extremely well. Go to his website:

Interview with the Owner of Prairie State Semen Supply

Following up on my previous post on Prairie State Semen Supply, I emailed owner Jon Fisher, who graciously agreed to answer a few questions. Read on to hear Jon's extremely practical (and witty) approach to marketing.

Not Featured in AdWeek- Prairie State Semen

I went to the Indiana State Fair three times last week, and as always, it lived up to the hype (at least, in my household, there is a lot of hype surrounding it). The Peking Acrobats were amazing, the ladies thoroughly enjoyed the lumberjack demonstration, and I gorged myself on fair food and superlatives: World’s largest boar, Indiana’s biggest pumpkin, and Brian Alano's most amazing Lego models of IMS and Lucas Oil Stadium.

Lego Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Lucas Oil Stadium

But the best of the best, the cream of the crop, the most superlative was

Angie's List CEO Masterfully Manipulates Mayor for Millions?

The IBJ's Kathleen McLaughlin reported yesterday that Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle convinced the city of Indianapolis to give his side business, Henry Amalgamated, $4.6 Million to buy property that he could then lease back to Angie's List.

You are a fool if you think the U.S. will default and/or NOT raise the debt ceiling!

Lots of chatter about the possibility of the U.S. defaulting if the debt ceiling isn't raised. This is completely absurd for two reasons:


1. Default is a legal term to describe a failure to make payments on a loan or debt. As Brian Westbury points out in his video, the U.S. takes in more than enough cash each month to make its debt payments (and has done so for the last 60 years). If the debt ceiling isn't raised- the government is not going to default on its debt.

Garbage In, Garbage Out

Lots of survey data getting thrown around lately- what good are the results if the questions are garbage? Here's a screenshot from a survey from the Air National Guard:

Indiscriminate Drilling by AWNs- your neighborhood could be next!

According to Wikipedia, AWNs are drilling all over the country- without congressional oversight or approval. Even more suspect, they are only conducting night operations.