Weezer Snuggie

Weezer Snuggie.  Funny.  Need I say more?

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OK, I'll say more.  A few weeks back, Weezer launched their new CD, Raditude, via a new Snuggie commercial.  Genius!  Weezer is known to be a bit qwerky, and they have been known to launch their CDs in the past in strange ways.  However, as a true As Seen On TV Fan, I see nothing strange about teaming up with the most exciting brand of the year.  I can't quite figure out the math to see how I'll get a "free" CD when I have to pay $29.99 for the Snuggie, but I don't think that's really the point.  Almost a million views of the spot on YouTube in less than a month?  I think their goal has been fully accomplished!

New Infomercial Format? - UnReel

UnReel, the "gardening hose management system."  Doesn't sound too exciting.  However, what this spot lacks, it makes up for in creativity.  The "Product Patrol" is on call to review the product in an infomercial format making it seem to be an objective review.  To the host's surprise, the UnReel works just as it promises!  Seems a bit shameless, but I like it.  One could criticize Vince "Shamwow" Offer for being over the top cheesy in selling his products, but it works.  Billy Mays was infamous for his yelling through the television.  But, these hosts are memorable because they are different.  I applaud the creativity of the UnReel team.  They are solving a real, everyday problem, and they are marketing in a new and unique way.  I suspect that viewers will easily see through the "shameless" approach, but it just might be enough to break through the clutter.

What do you think?

UnReel Spot:

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Telebrands CEO on "The View"

The View.  I hate the show, but you gotta love AJ Khubani, the CEO of Telebrands that has made millions of dollars for over 25 years selling products on TV.  Though he has never starred in his own infomercials, he reached recent stardom as a guest and sponsor of the hit show, Pitchmen.  AJ funded several of the hits that came out of Billy Mays' and Anthony Sullivan's show on Discovery channel earlier this year.

Here's a recent interview where AJ "objectively" reviews several of the top as seen on TV products with the cast of The View:


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Happy Birthday Mr. Infomercial!

Celebrating the birth of the infomercial. 60 years ago today (December 3, 1949) VitaMix Machines were first sold on TV. We've come a long way since then in video quality, but you still see tenets from the original VitaMix founder that are present in today's infomercials.

Check out their original infomercial at: http://vitamix.cachefly.net/household/Videos/papa_repost/index.html

Infomercial tips

I've received dozens of emails requesting pointers on launching products on DRTV (i.e. infomercials).  My role is to poke fun at spots that are just plain funny, and also to share some of my favorite infomercials with all of you.  I'm not sure how helpful my posts are to budding entrepreneurs, but my friends at Harvest Group do a much better job explaining how to be successful on TV.

Harvest Group recently posted some instructional videos to help entrepreneurs considering using DRTV to launch their products.  Here are some examples (email readers, CLICK HERE):

What makes a successful infomercial product?


Market Research - Connect to the Consumer:


The Business Side of DRTV / How to Make Money:


Other videos can be found at the Harvest Group YouTube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HarvestGroupDRTV