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** All Articles after 10/15/03 can be found in the Advertising Blog **

Direct Mail's Deadly Sins
How much junk mail do you receive each day? Do you read it? Toss it? Now put yourself in the shoes of your direct mail recipients. Avoid direct mail mistakes or your materials will end up in the trash too.

Review: The Copywriter's Handbook
Want to start a career as a copywriter but aren't quite sure how to begin? The Copywriter's Handbook could be the right tool for you.

High Profile Lawsuits - The Ultimate Publicity
Companies involved in lawsuits can find themselves getting more exposure than they normally would. Take a look at some high-profile lawsuits that have created national publicity for plaintiffs and defendants.

Ford Sinks $100 Million into New Ad Campaign
The launch of the next Ford F-150 has Ford Motor Company spending more than $100 million in a new campaign, Ford Motor Division's largest advertising tab in the automaker's history.

EarthLink Sues Spammers
EarthLink Inc. has filed a federal lawsuit against 100 people for sending unsolicited Email. Most of the accused are located in Alabama and Canada.

Promoting Your Book
Authors want to write, they don't want to promote. But to generate sales, you have to get out there and aggressively promote your work. The latest installment of the Ask Apryl feature shows you how.

Blackout Hits Advertising Industry
Advertisers across the country are scrambling to find out how much the biggest blackout in U.S. history affected them.

Celebrity Endorsement Deals Gone Astray
Kobe Bryant's not the first endorser that's come under fire. Advertisers have to watch out for themselves when it comes to celebrity endorsers. From Madonna to Magic, take a look at some of the other celeb endorsement deals that have gone astray.

Kobe Bryant's Endorsement Deals
From the day Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault, his endorsement deals have been in question. Take an in-depth look at each of his deals and what companies have to lose or gain by having him as their spokesman.

How to Land an Interview with an Ad Agency
Whether you're pursuing an ad agency position as an account executive or a copywriter, you have to land that face-to-face interview before you can get the job. Help increase your chances.

How to Create a Freelancing Contract
Freelance copywriters and graphic designers should have contracts in place to protect themselves as well as their clients. This how-to shows you step-by-step how to create a contract.

Advertising Trivia Challenge #10
Think you know the ad game? From old commercials to new slogans, test your advertising knowledge and see where you rank.

How to Plan a Newsletter
You've learned the fundamentals of creating a newsletter. Now it's time to learn the most cost effective way to getting your newsletter in print and getting your advertising message to consumers.

How to Create a Newsletter
Need to create a newsletter? Don't know where to start? This how-to walks you through the process.

Product Placement Hits the Airwaves
New TV shows are taking advantage of product placement to help pay for expenses. Find out who's cashing in on the extra exposure.

U.S. Companies Battle Boycott During War
As the nation looks for the war to end, U.S. companies find themselves fighting a new battle. Boycotts in various countries are cropping up, causing advertisers to rethink their ad strategy.

Advertisers Yank Spots in Wake of War
Networks and other media outlets find themselves in a crunch as advertisers pull spots during the war. But the industry could be looking up in the near future.

Speculation: It Can Get You a Job
Breaking into the advertising industry may seem impossible. But a little speculation can get you in the door and on your way.

Become a Card Shark
Play with a full deck when dealing with your own card pack ad campaign. The printing process and gauging your results are two of the most important steps.

Dealing Your Hand
Continuing the card pack series, find out how you can create effective card pack advertising.

Playing Your Cards Right
Get in on card packs and reach your target audience through a low cost advertising medium.

Pop-Ups: Annoying But Good
Pop-up ads don't have many fans. Or do they? A new study has surprising results.

Testing Your Idea
Is that great advertising idea really going to be the one to increase your sales? Test your concept before diving in.

Getting Customers in a Crunch
Time's running out and you need extra customers now. These perks can turn those potential customers into paying customers.

Agency Warns Against Time Machine Use
Ad agency warns Meredith Broadcasting Group that commercial time won't be paid for if the Time Machine is used.

Time Machine: Ethical or Cheating?
When network affiliates use a time machine to squeeze in extra ads, it's highly frowned upon. But is it ethical or cheating?

That's a Wrap
Car wraps are becoming a popular, low-cost means of advertising. And it benefits both the clients and the everyday driver.

Review: Pour Your Heart Into It
Get the story behind Starbucks's success and apply it to your own marketing campaign. Plus, tips on building and establishing your brand from scratch.

The Value of a Newsletter
Newsletters allow you to keep in touch with your customers and sell your products at the same time.

The Power of Press Releases
Need brawn on a budget? Meet the power of press...And it's FREE!

Attack of the Flavored Soft Drinks
Your favorite soft drinks are getting a dash of flavor added to them. And the market's getting flooded with new ads as a result.

But I Have a Great Idea
You've got an idea for a great advertising campaign. So what do you do with it?

Oh Brother, It's Big Brother
Another round of Big Brother is underway. But is CBS playing the advertising game to its advantage?

You Just Can't Do It All By Yourself
If you find your work days getting longer and your personal time getting shorter, don't be shy about seeking additional help.

Review: Words That Sell
Have advertising materials to write? Get a jumpstart with this tool to effective writing.

Creating a Plan of Action
Just as a new company creates a business plan, a new agency needs one too. Even if you're a freelance copywriter or graphic designer, you need a plan of action as well.

Top Picks for Starting Your Own Ad Agency
Ready to start an ad agency? Now what do you do? Use these top picks to get your agency off the ground.

From Pink Slip to Freelancing Success
Don't let the pink slip turn you blue. Use it as your key to being your own boss.

Small Budget Advertising
Whether you're just starting a business or you're on a budget diet, find out the many ways you can bypass high cost advertising.

Get Into Advertising
So you want to be in advertising? Problem is, you don't even know where to start. Grab your pencils, you're about to take a crash course in advertising.

Catalog Copy
It's an art form of sorts. Find out how to get the most out of your catalog copy with these Dos and Don'ts.

POP Goes Your Advertising
Can you honestly say you've never made a last minute purchasing decision? Point of purchase materials are your ticket to capitalizing on the impulse buyer. But you have to know how to select a POP supplier first.

Advertising Trivia Challenge #9
Did you watch Super Bowl XXXVI? Find out how well you know this year's commercials.

Before You Buy a Television Commercial Package
Ready to get a commercial produced for your company? Don't get lost in a flurry of questions. Find out what you need to know before you buy a television commercial package.

Top Books for PR Pros
Need a little kick in your PR? From business owners to individuals in the spin game, these resources are a must for getting free exposure for your product or service and keeping yourself clean in the public's eye.

Top Books for Business Owners
Statistics show nearly one in 25 Americans is in the process of starting a business. Don't get lost in the masses. Use these top books to get your ad campaign on the right track and give your business a big boost.

Review: Ice to the Eskimos
Whether you're in the advertising business or you're an entrepreneur, this book details the perks of the business. Find out if you can benefit from Ice to the Eskimos.

Before You Buy Advertising Books
Entrepreneurs often rely on advertising books to launch their business. Before you buy, find out what you should look for to make your ad campaign successful.

Selling Yourself to Get Clients
Selling yourself to find freelance clients is the single most important aspect of getting your career off the ground. Find out how to find clients and how you can seal the deal.

Getting Your Freelance Start
Ready to branch out on your own? Use these tips to begin your new freelancing career path.

Top Books for Copywriters
Copywriting takes talent. Enhance your skills with these top Guide Picks.

If You Build It, They Will Come
Or will they? All business is moving toward e-business. Is your ad campaign ready for the Internet?

How to Create a Flyer
Need to advertise something but don't have a lot of cash? Flyers are an inexpensive way to reach a wide audience.

Your Marketing Plan
Starting a new business? Redeveloping an old one? Your marketing plan is a carefully calculated tool that can boost sales and increase profits.

Madison Avenue Takes a Back Road
The tragic events surrounding the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, have the advertising industry bracing for huge financial losses. In the wake of consumer fears and extreme sensitivity to the issue, advertisers have to focus on a smooth transition back to business as usual.

New Business Ad Solutions
How do you get a new business off the ground especially when it's on the Web? Ask Apryl shows you how to get the most out of your ad campaign when you're on a budget diet.

Targeting the Student Demographic
Launching a new business aimed at college students? Ask Apryl tackles the student market with low-cost advertising solutions.

Advertising Trivia Challenge #8
Over the years, your favorite athletes have endorsed everything from soda to athlete's foot products. Now it's time to put your knowledge to the test. What products have some of the most popular athletes pitched?

Advertising Vs. Public Relations
Looking to enter the world of public relations? Get ready to shatter some popular myths.

Big Brother Could Bring Big Bucks
CBS hoped for higher ratings this go-around. Take an in-depth look at how the show could pull in additional revenue through advertising.

Advertising Trivia Challenge #7
Step back in time to jingles of the '80s. Get the answer right and you can even hear the jingle.

Laughing All the Way
When Ray Owens created the AOL Virus Hoax and sent it to his JokeADay.com mailing list, he had no idea the joke would cause such widespread panic. Now, this unexpected publicity stunt has him laughing all the way.

Making Your Advertising Personal
No matter what your advertising medium, drive your message home by making it personal. Because nobody wants to buy a product from someone who sounds stuffy and unfriendly.

When Advertising Works Too Well
Can it happen? One major company proved it can when it had to pull a popular commercial. The ad worked so well, the company couldn't keep up.

Advertising Trivia Challenge #6
How well do you know current ad campaigns? Find out if you're an advertising genius or just a wannabe.

Advertising the Abortion Pill
A new educational campaign featuring RU-486 is sparking controversy in the advertising world. Some publications are refusing to run the new ads. Others say the readers should decide.

Ready for Radio?
In your car. At home. At work. We all listen to the radio. Is your ad campaign ready to hit the airwaves?

Advertising Trivia Challenge #5
Can you identify a company's product/services just by seeing a logo? This month's trivia challenge puts your logo knowledge to the test!

Survivor II: Surviving Madison Avenue
The latest castaways are looking to land some advertising deals off of their time in the Outback. Will they survive or will they be voted off Madison Avenue?

Snapple Gets Sexy
What do you get when you cross a banana with an apple? It's not a bad joke. It's Snapple's new ad campaign.

Advertising Trivia Challenge #4
Are you a music fan? Advertising fan? This month's challenge will have you singing so you can figure out what famous songs have been featured in certain ad campaigns.

Firestone's Recovery Lesson
Regaining the public's trust is not an easy task after your customers have died from using your product. But there's one company out there that defied the odds and regained its market share.

Firestone Rides on its New Ad Campaign
The tire manufacturer's trying to shake its deadly image. Parts 1 and 2 of this feature give you complete details on the company's new ad campaign and relives Firestone's previous problems that may sound familiar.

Better Pizza? Bigger Lawsuit.
Papa John's claims to have better ingredients and a better pizza. But Pizza Hut feels differently and filed a false advertising lawsuit against its competitor. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ended that case. And one company was shocked by the results.

Sizzle & Stirring It Up
Stars of yesterday are making their way back on the air. They're featured in a new ad campaign that has the advertising industry taking notice.

Layoffs, Recession Fears & You
Big name agencies give employees a ticket to the unemployment line. Recession fears cause companies to re-evaluate their ad strategy. From ad pro to business owner, discover the high-impact results of the trickle down effect.

Advertising Trivia Challenge #3
Time to test your knowledge of celebrity endorsements. Just how well do you know your favorite celebrities and the products they promote?

Your Call to Action
Why isn't the phone ringing? Maybe it's your call to action. Use these techniques to boost sales and get those phones ringing.

Capitalizing on Creative
Morning person. Night owl. Creative levels peak at different times of the day. Use these five fundamentals to get the brightest ideas out of your employees.

Revisiting Ads After Earnhardt's Death
The death of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt has rocked the racing world. Now advertisers prepare to tiptoe toward the future without leaving the legend behind.

Advertising Trivia Challenge #2
What did the first brochure promote? Who pitched Wendy's in the mid '80s? Time to test your ad knowledge.

Great Xpectations
The XFL kicked off its premiere season. So what can advertisers expect? Go behind the hype and take an in-depth look at the league, ratings, advertisers and even the WWF curse.

Super Bowl XXXV Sideline Wrap Up
Humor was the common theme during this year's Super Bowl ads. But is it enough to sell consumers? Time to review the stats on this year's Advertising Bowl.

Super Bowl XXXV Preview
Baltimore vs. New York isn't the only game in town. Advertisers are suiting up for the big game as well.

Advertising Trivia Challenge #1
Who is Eva Savelot? What product does John Madden endorse? Find out how well you know your advertising.

General Motors - On the Road to Recovery?
GM put the wheel lock on Oldsmobile. Now the company faces a whole new battle.

Paying the Bills
Who likes getting bills? Use these strategies and it could be your customers.

Unleash Your Ad Dollars in Newspapers
Don't tighten your ad budget just yet. There's one advertising medium that's not seeing an increase in spending. And now it's time for you to benefit.

Friends in the Eye of Survivor's Storm
Two shows. One night. Millions of dollars in advertising. Just who will win the ultimate immunity challenge?

Offline Advertising for Your Online Presence
Drive traffic to your site by using traditional advertising techniques as your chauffeur.

The Future of Advertising
Interactivity is changing the face of advertising. What's in it for you?

Howdy Partner!
Major companies partner with each other to produce low-cost, highly-effective advertising. Now you can too.

Television Advertising - Sights, Sounds and Sales!
No matter what the size of your company, TV is a very affordable and effective advertising medium. Examine the key components your commercial needs to be successful.