From the category archives:

AS SEEN ON TV NEWS

Consumer Reports Magazine Scrutinizes the Infomercial Pitch

by Theresa January 19, 2010

I thought this was kind of funny… I saw this on the news the other night. Consumer Reports Magazine has labeled infomercials as the quote “Rodney Dangerfields of advertising”. You know…that psychological thrill ride that dramatizes every little problem in our life. Then those sneaky infomercials offer that AMAAAZING product with all its thrilling benefits at that special low price and they always get you with that bonus offer. Wonder why you want to run and grab the phone? It all comes down to neuroscience! Here’s eight tips you can use before reaching for the phone to order.

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Do You Really Save With a Direct Buy Membership?

by Theresa August 30, 2009

Direct Buy is a membership program that claims to cut out the retail middleman and save you money on almost anything for the home. Those infomercials are very enticing to say the least. The pitch, “Learn the secrets retailers don’t want you to know” makes you really wonder what information retailers are hiding. Well just yesterday, I saw a Canadian show “Marketplace” where they interviewed five Direct Buy members. They also compared prices from Direct Buy’s catalog to similar products you could buy at local retails stores. Here’s the real scoop on Direct Buy.

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Are Billy Mays Infomercials and Pitchmen Show In Jeopardy?

by Theresa July 4, 2009

Billy Mays was a cornerstone of the modern day infomercial game. He shouted his way into 10 percent of the 50 hottest commercial spots on TV. Scores of marketers used Billy to pitched everything from wood putty to health insurance. Now they have to face an uncomfortable question… Is it acceptable to run an infomercial featuring a pitchman who is no longer living? And what will become of the Pitchmen Show?

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TV Pitchman Billy Mays Tragic Death at Age 50

by Theresa June 29, 2009

Billy Mays died tragically in his Florida home on Sunday morning at only 50 years old. What a devastating week for the entertainment world! We just lost Farah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Ed McMahon, and now Billy Mays. You either loved him or hated the guy but you can’t deny that he was a legendary pitchmen. He was truly one of a kind. His death came only a few hours after he said he was hit on the head from a piece of luggage. Mays landing on a US Airways flight was a rough one after the front tires of the plane blew out after landing at the Tampa Bay airport.

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Pitchmen is a New Pitch Perfect Reality Series on Discovery Channel

by Theresa April 25, 2009

Pitchmen is the newest reality show on Discovery Channel. I had a chance to sit down and watch the first episode last Wednesday and it sure was a treat! Wasn’t sure how long I could stand seeing Billy and Anthony, but the show was really well done. It’s almost like a remake of “American Inventor.” Except this is something Billy and Anthony do in their everyday life. It follows the adventures of pitchmen Billy Mays and Anthony “Sully” Sullivan. They search worldwide for inventions that they believe can make it big.

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CNBC Takes an Inside Look at the As Seen on TV Industry

by Theresa April 22, 2009

CNBC takes you inside the world of the infomercials starting tonight at 9pm ET and 6pm PT. You can catch it again at 1am ET and 10pm PT. Hosted by Darren Rovell, he goes inside the $150 Billion industry of direct response infomercials. He shows us how Ginsu Knife, ShamWow and Snuggie have become household names throughout the years. You can take a peak in the CNBC video below.

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Two Women Have Identical Problems Ordering Online

by Theresa April 20, 2009

Problems ordering online seem to be an issue for the Smooth Away Company. Both WINK News and Fox 8 news recently talked to two ladies. They both had identical stories of phantom charges showing up on their bank statements. Not all infomercial sites are bad but there seems to be a few out there that have issues with billing. Here are a few things to consider when ordering online or over the phone from these companies.

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A Look Back at the History of As Seen on TV

by Theresa March 28, 2009

As Seen on TV infomercials have quite the history. Anyone who’s a fan (probably no one these days) of TV infomercials has undoubtedly spotted inventor Ron Popeil peddling his wares on air sometime during the last couple of decades. The guy who started it all is Ronco founder Ron Popeil. As much as we mock those crazy infomercials and tacky products, they have been immensely popular throughout the decades. Who can forget the Chop-O-Matic, the Sit-On Trash Compactor or the Pocket Fisherman? The Popeil family brought America those amazing products and much more.

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Does Cash4Gold Give You the Best Return?

by Theresa March 26, 2009

Cash4Gold was recently shown during the last Super Bowl infomercial. Who could forget, all that bling and the odd mix…MC Hammer and Ed McMahon both hawking Cash4Gold’s service which converts precious metals to cash. The [tags]cash4gold[/tags]infomercial spot opens with the Cash4Gold logo and a “Heeere’s money!” from McMahon. He places a pair of unwanted gold cufflinks into the Cash4Gold bag. Hammer and McMahon each show increasingly ludicrous items that can be traded for cash. Hammer sells his gold medallion and of all things… a gold sledge hammer and parachute pants. McMahon trades in his gold hip replacement, gold microphone, gold golf clubs and even gold toilet. Sounds like rough times for poor Ed!

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As Seen on TV Guru Explains How to Patent Your Invention

by Theresa January 26, 2009

Patenting an invention is something thousands of Americans do every year. The reality is that only a very small percentage of them ever make it to the marketplace. So how do you go about getting your idea sold? An invention takes passion, inspiration and creativity. A successful invention might take a thick skin, but it shouldn’t take a thick wallet. Here are two inventors and the owner of the original As Seen on TV Company, A.J. Khubani. In this video they will share their secrets about what it takes to make your invention a success – without getting taken.

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