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On this episode, we’ll spend some time discussing the latest on COVID-19 and how the media uses tactics like “lumping” to persuade people’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
Episode 109: The World’s First Advertising Man
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On this episode, we’ll be discussing a little known book written by famous advertising legend Bruce Barton back in 1925 called The Man Nobody Knows. In it, he depicts Jesus Christ as a man’s man; not the meek, effeminate figure many of us have learned about in Sunday School.
Barton described Christ as the world’s first advertising man, whose parables sparkled as models for modern jingle writers.
We’ll be discussing why this book is so important in understanding influence and persuasion.
Featured Beer
On this episode, I’ll be having a Wells Banana Bread Beer. This dark golden colored ale has a malty aroma that is complemented by the gentle nose of banana. While not a beer I’d pick on a regular basis, I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor of this beer. It offers a crispness, that balances its aroma perfectly.
Sean is having a Full Grown Man from Tupps Brewery. This robust stout is brewed with yuge amounts of dark roasted malts. It pours with a nice medium brown head that lingers well after it hits the glass.
Episode 108: How He Grew a Security Business to $14 Million a Year Using Direct Mail
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On this episode, we welcome Joe Ferdinando, founder of Building Security Services in New Jersey. Joe will be sharing how he used “lumpy mail” to help him grow his security guard company to a $14 million a year business.
In 1982, Joe founded Building Security Services, Inc. after already running a successful commercial janitorial company. Starting with his existing, loyal customer base, he grew his company to provide premium security services in New Jersey and New York.
Joe will be sharing some great stories and important lessons on not only growing a multi-million dollar business with direct mail but also establishing a track record of long term success.
Why Advertising Makes Us Unhappy
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On this episode, we’ll be discussing a number of random topics. One topic of discussion centers around a recent article in the Harvard Business Review by Nicole Torress entitles Advertising Makes Us Unhappy.
The article focuses on the research of professor Andrew Oswald and his team at the University of Warwick. Their research concludes that when companies pour more money into advertising each year, people become less satisfied and even feel their own accomplishments, belongings, and experiences are less adequate. The research findings are similar with social media.
We’ll be discussing this article and dissecting it with our own thoughts. Is Advertising really the culprit, or are there other factors this research misses?
We’ll be discussing this and also why our social security numbers can prime us to make irrational buying decisions.
Featured Beer
On this episode, I’m having a delicious Macchiato Espresso Milk Stout from Abita Brewing Co. It’s a smooth brew that combines the rich flavor of roasted coffee with a full-bodied stout. This beer is like tasting a cold frappuccino. It makes a good first impression with a strong coffee aroma and a taste of dark roasted malt and a subtle milky sweetness.
Sean is having a Peanut Butter Cup Stout from Odd Side Ales. Has a peanut butter candy on the aroma and initial taste. The taste is comprised of light roast, & sweet milk chocolate.
Enjoy the show and cheers!
Episode 103: Why Trump Will Win Re-election (in a Landslide) in 2020 – A Lesson in Persuasion, Rhetoric, and Charisma
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On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing a topic that is being talked about a lot this week – Donald Trump’s re-election chances for 2020. Given that Trump has been Acquitted in the Senate following an enormously popular state of the union address, there’s plenty of reason for optimism with his supporters.
However, we recorded this podcast a few days ago before his SOTU and acquittal. Our discussion on this episode centered on two things – Trump’s mastery of persuasive rhetoric and charismatic ability to engage, and stir up his base of supporters. Based on these attributes, we believe Donald Trump is a shoo-in for reelection in 2020.
If you have any doubts about Trump’s ability to persuade, I highly recommend Scott Adam’s recent book Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Don’t Matter.
In doing some show prep, Sean dug up a great article we’ll reference on what Aristotle can teach us on Trump’s rhetoric.
Featured Beer
On this episode, I’m having an Amber from Abita Brewing Co. It’s a Munich style lager brewed with pale and caramel malts and German Perle hops. The Amber is Abita’s most versatile beer for pairing with food and has been voted “best beer” in numerous New Orleans reader polls.
Sean is having another No Collusion Russian Imperial Stout from Strange Land Brewery. This beer has been aged for nine months in bourbon barrels. And like Trump’s case, no collusion was found to have occurred at any point during the production of this brew.
Enjoy the show and cheers!
Episode 101: How to Influence Prospects, Multiply Sales, and Promote Your Brand – Interview with Craig Simpson
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On this episode, Craig Simpson joins us on the show to talk direct marketing over some pints of beer. Craig is the co-author of The Advertising Solution and The Direct Mail Solution (co-authored with Dan Kennedy).
Craig has managed thousands of direct marketing campaigns and has grossed hundreds of millions in revenue for his clients over the past 20 years. He is the owner of Simpson Direct, Inc., an Oregon-based direct marketing firm, and a respected speaker/presenter on the topic of direct mail.
Today we’ll be discussing some of the best direct marketing lessons straight from Craig’s book, that get prospects to LISTEN, RESPOND, and BUY.
These time tested methods come from marketing legends like David Ogilvy, Gene Schwartz, Gary Halbert, John Caples, Robert Collier, and Claude Hopkins.
Enjoy the show and cheers!
