Maybe it’s because infomercials are often on late at night, when our cognitive and emotional filters are half asleep…but for some reason they are extremely powerful media that grab attention and don’t let go, plus motivate actions that in the cold light of day seem totally absurd.
How does it “Work”? If only Marshal McLuhan was on hand, we could ask him, no? Part of the package of being a powerful media experience is the “talent” in front of the camera…in this case a certain group we refer to as “salesmen” are used. What would a corresponding talent in online video clips be called? Would the skills of a “salesman” be relevant?
Here’s a bit about one of those “talents” Vince Offer, the ShamWow guy, from Wikipedia.
Then there’s the immortal Billy Mays…can we top this?
JW who ran it on the station says it is all about dicing, slicing and making thousands of julienne fries. Set it and forget it!
Read somewhere that Vince honed his “presentation skills” at flea markets. Should we do a talent hunt at the LC Farmer’s Market, or maybe those people in Sam’s Club who sometimes do a full on schtick to a an appreciative mesmerized audience of dead in their tracks “shoppers”…
“tacos, fettucini, linguine, martini, bikini”
…uh, what?
Well, the Washington State Fair was where we spent many years checking out the “presentation skills”. Hoping to go this year so I will update you on latest.