Anyone who’s ever played the video game Breakout is familiar with the paddle, rows of bricks and the little ball that bounces to and fro.
The fun part happens once you get the ball to break through the uppermost layer of bricks and the ball ricochets like crazy… smashing everything in sight.
There’s an advertising version of this I call space ad breakout.
A control comes on the scene and produces staggering response for the advertiser — so he does more of it.
Last week, I passed on Stauer’s costume jewelry ad, “Greek God Invents Free Love,” which has turned up almost everywhere over the last few weeks, including “The Enquirer.”
Stauer tests voraciously and this month they’re playing some serious Breakout.
I just got Newsmax magazine delivered a few days ago and noticed they have 3 times as many insertions as last month.
Newsmax, if you’re not familiar with it, is a monthly U.S. magazine for conservative armchair politicians.
Its purpose?
“Help me to preserve the illusion of my sanity, health, wealth, political and religious beliefs in 100 pages or less.”
The magazine was partially the impetus for a forthcoming piece, “Crypto-Nazi Copywriting.”
And I love it… for its print advertising!
But seriously, these print ads are worth checking out, specifically for the offers. Whether one reaches the control status of Greek God remains to be seen.
Alex Gurevich pointed out the potential pitfalls of free + shipping offers. I’m neither a lawyer nor play one on TV… just telling you what I see.