123 words – "Death Laugh"

I hope I am on my deathbed. Well first point, I would not have been killed in a plane crash – which would suck. The last 120 feet, the impact zone from nose to tail, well that would be shocking – but the first 33,000 feet would really suck.

So assuming I have a deathbed, I hope I laugh at myself for all the things “in life” I worried about but that were really bullshit. Like what some people thought of me or my sometimes overreaction to nonsense.

Why do I hope this? Because I will die laughing and that seems like a pretty good way to go. No regrets, huge mistakes with lots of lessons learned, taught some and loved by those who matter.

***

What is “123 words?

Much of my writing is 1,000+ words of CONTENT RICH – oh so 2014 Marketing. Some of it good, some so boring it is painful to write let alone read. I am so tired of seeing articles written that focus on “the 5 reasons why you should do this” OR “the 8 ways you can do that.” It has it place, but how about something whipped out in minutes – no research, off the top of your head and where you cannot use the RETURN key - - no backspace – no changes – what you think hits the paper; oh I mean screen. No changes – because all thoughts should be captured. Why 123? The first one I wrote was 123 words. Seems to work for me.

WOW

The first time I wrote the initial "123" the word count was 123. Ok – fine. BUT – and I am not kidding – for fun I did a word count on the description above. Remember – no return key – no changes. Guess what - - 123 words.

Edward DuCoin

856 304 2800

ed@orpical.com

Sex in the Workplace

For years, sex and sensuality in advertising were implied and because they were exceptionally effective they continue to be powerful advertising tools. Relaxed censuring has made sexual advertising far more prevalent and overt. The problem that comes into play is determining the line between acceptable and excessive.

Obviously there are ads for items like lingerie, jeans, perfumes and body creams that might genuinely require graphics to be somewhat sexual in order to be effective. Even that warm and fuzzy feeling we’d get every time we saw the Anheuser Busch Clydesdales romping through the snow wishing us season’s greetings have proven less enticing than a beach party, during which cold beer is quenching the thirst of a great looking bunch of guys and girls in bathing suits.

Here’s another interesting fact…today not only does sex sell, but we actually sell sex. Everything from condoms to erectile dysfunction medications has a platform. Having said that, the mention of possible side effects like: going blind, hearing loss, nausea, dizziness and a permanent erection, might cause a Viagra ad to frighten more would be fornicators than it satisfies. And who casts the men for the erectile dysfunction commercials? They are creepy looking.

Do I approve of sex in advertising? Yes, within reason. I am committed to producing the most successful campaigns for my clients and if that means content with sexual overtones we will “do it.” In doing so, however, there are two directives I insist be followed: I will never objectify a gender, culture or socio-economic group and I insist on a tasteful presentation of the material.

So the simple answer is yes, sex sells. Explicit or implied, sex in advertising is here to stay. As advertisers we can do our part to keep sexually driven campaigns inoffensive as possible. Ultimately the results will be revealed at the register.

Now that I am done writing this I am heading out for a burger!

Edward DuCoin - 856 304 2800 - Orpical Group

Want Proof?

I wrote a very good article about advertising clients 8 days ago. It had 20 page views on my blog (that I do not post to often).  In 6 minutes - the SEX articles got more hits.