Authors Posts by John Scott G
John Scott G
John Scott G, an admitted word nerd, writes books, plays, screenplays, and political commentary. Author of "Area Code 666," "Secret Sex," and "Ambient Deviant Speedmetal Polka," Mr. G also writes under the pseudonym Gerald Laurence. Every day he happily rubs a few phrases up against each other to create sparks in your brain. You're welcome.
PR Blunders: Avoiding Mistakes in Marketing and Publicity
COLUMN: How Not To Write A Press Release. There have been many articles on this topic, but this may be the only one written by someone who works as an editor and writer. Using real-life examples, Scott G examines some ins, outs, dos and don'ts of public relations and publicity. 
Mad Men May Save the 30-second Commercial
COLUMN: The one-hour drama, 'Mad Men,' part of AMC channel's original programming, has many attributes and can be quite entertaining. Scott G says what's truly intriguing about the series isn't in the show but during the commercial breaks. 
In Praise of the Product Demonstration
COLUMN: Dating back to the days of cave dwellers, the humble product demonstration can be one of the most persuasive sales techniques. Scott G examines this method of selling in the light of today's new media realities. 
Smile, You’re on the iPhone
COLUMN: With the nation's collective craving for Apple's iPhone, the product seems poised for the most consumer-friendly product launch in marketing history. Scott G speculates about that little 'camera' button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. 
Carl Doesn’t Know Jack or Dick
COLUMN: Dick Sittig, the marketing genius behind the Jack-in-the-Box ad campaigns, has created a commercial concept so powerful that he now has rival Carl's Jr. helping him spread the word. How? By being so funny and acerbic that Carl's is trying to sue for relief. 
Take Aways: What Consumers Learn From Ads
COLUMN: Advertising and marketing executives say their business is art, craft and science, and Scott G admits that may be true about a third of the time. Consider a few current ad campaigns that leave potential customers exhilarated or puzzled, intrigued or disgusted. 
Ad Industry Thinks You Are an Idiot
COLUMN: Scott G often works in the advertising industry and he's frequently appalled by what he sees, as when large corporations insult your intelligence with misleading marketing, or when they treat you like absolute morons with super-silly or saccharine-sweet ads. 
Ideas, R.I.P.
COLUMN: A manifesto entitled 100 Ways to Kill a Concept is currently bouncing around the Internet. It is being sent in anger, frustration and/or glee by anyone who has ever had the misfortune to present an original idea to a boneheaded boss or calcified committee. Scott G lauds author Michael Iva for his horrific hundred. 
Smart People in Advertising – Please Step Forward
COLUMN: Curiouser and curiouser, weaker and weaker, stupider and stupider. That describes much recent advertising from major brands. Clogging the airwaves with badvertising is nothing new, but it does seem as if idiocy is lately on the rise. Scott G lists a few of his least favorites from the past couple of weeks. 
Superliminal Advertising
COLUMN: Sponsored messages worm their way into entertainment and news. Tracking of consumer purchases allows for precise targeting of those messages. Computerized production technology enables marketers or government agencies to control what you see and when you see it. Scott G plays George Orwell by putting these 3 ideas together.
