I Have An Idea

Triple Hits (*entry comes with photo)
April 04|2003

Like I promised earlier, I'm now going to share my today's "INVASION" with you all!
This morning I went to BBDO, Y&R, and Palmer Jarvis. My idea was to insert my personal ad into a well known weekly ad magazine (I shouldn't mention it). Most people get in on monday, but I knew from before, that the little stores get them on early fridays. So I went on a mission... I got off at Bloor and looked for the mags. After going to 3 different stores, the mag hasn't arrived yet (8:15am)! I was getting frustrated because time was running out. I was about to leave this project 'til monday, but I didn't want to dissappoint anyone. So I spotted one more shop, and guess what? They just came in, what a relief!!!! I bought them, went searching for a food-court, and sprayed them down on the first inside page. I know that was a risky manoeuvre, but I had to do it.

Anyway, about the execution: Very direct approach, it definitely stood out in the mag. And the message was quite clear - "Hire Me". I only put -ihaveanidea.org- site on it because I wanted them to log on and find my journals. And I also placed my sponsor's logo and my branding icon (Just a reminder; this is only handed to 3 people, directly).

After I dropped them off, I called each Creative to inform them about what was the purpose of this. I left my phone number, just in case. I'll do a follow-up later on or Monday, the latest.

We'll see what happens,
alek.

alekmarketing (219k image)

"I had no problem with these opinions!"
Posted by alek on April 09/2003

"You can't all be serious. There's nothing original or impactful about this. Sorry, but this gets no points."
Posted by Pedro on April 08/2003

"NICE ONE ALEK!"
Posted by Sookie on April 07/2003

"WOW - Brilliant.

Ad Guy - let us know the buzz around this one from the 3 CD's that got it.

Hey, shouldn't this stunt get Alek some of this magazine's coverage? hmmm.... anyone, anyone out there who can make it happen?...

This is really brilliant - and quite aesthetically pleasing. Nice.

Good going! Keep this up!"
Posted by J on April 04/2003

"Can't wait to hear how well this one works :)

Good Luck!"
Posted by IMHO on April 04/2003

"RIGHT ON Dominique. Thanx for sharing this. I'm sure we can all benefit from your experience!!!
A great example why this project is working out. Among other things, of course. Keep it up."
Posted by alek on April 04/2003

"I like this one. It’s smart.
I just came back from an interview and would like to share the feed-back I got from the CD. The message was clear: Make it easier for me to want to know you.
He had received a few hundreds resumes from a job posting a couple weeks ago. Just sorting out those e-mails is a job by itself! So:
1) Make it personal, add little extras that will make it easily recognizable.
2) Show you know who they are and what they’re about. Show you’ve taken the time to do something especially for them.
3)Make it easy and PRACTICAL. They shouldn’t have to think where they put your promo piece. (How about putting your ad in a different paper stock and add a tab like some advertisers do?)
Keep up the good work, Alek!"
Posted by Dominique on April 04/2003

"My one concern is that I find the copies of Marketing that arrive at my internship rarely get seen by the CD first, or at all. It usually goes to a table in the creative department and sometimes winds up as educational bathroom reading material."
Posted by Spektak1 on April 04/2003

"Alek,

I rolled my eyes at some of your "invasion" tactics, but this one.... brilliant."
Posted by Spektak1 on April 04/2003

"It's all good but the only thing that "kinda bug me" is that it seem like your begging,"
Posted by mitch on April 04/2003

"I like this one too.

Clever. I can't wait to hear what the CD's have to say."
Posted by Corina on April 04/2003

"I like this one. Good job! And I'm glad to hear you followed it up too. Let us know how well it was received."
Posted by Justin on April 04/2003

"That was an ingenious idea. It was well worth the newsstand price of the three copies you purchased. Just think of the cost of placing a full-page ad in that magazine that you dare not speak its name. I only wished you put more thought into the actual piece that you were inserting."
Posted by B on April 04/2003

"That's right Odif. Except, I left the mag with the other daily drop-offs.

I forgot to mention that I attached a look-alike label on the cover, with the Creative's name on it. So, I hope they get it. I should have the photo shortly."
Posted by alek on April 04/2003

"So just so I understand. You glued your ad into a magazine and then hand delivered it to CDs?"
Posted by Odif on April 04/2003