Radio Ads Are Dead.

The Decline of Traditional Radio Ads: Why Digital Alternatives Are Superior

For decades, conventional radio has been a dominant force in advertising, reaching commuters in their cars and workers in their offices. However, as technology evolves and consumer habits shift, traditional over-the-air radio is losing its effectiveness. If you’re still investing heavily in radio advertising, it’s time to reconsider your strategy and explore better digital marketing solutions.

Why Traditional Radio No Longer Delivers

1. Limited Engagement and High Tune-Out Rates

People often listen to radio passively, using it as background noise while driving or working. Unlike digital advertising strategies, where users actively engage with content, radio ads are easy to tune out. The lack of visuals also makes it harder to create a lasting impression.

2. Segmented Audiences and Volatile Listenership

Radio audiences are highly fragmented, divided across numerous stations, genres, and time slots. This segmentation makes it difficult to achieve broad reach without significant investment. Additionally, listenership peaks and valleys can make it challenging to predict ad performance, unlike targeted digital marketing campaigns that provide measurable results.

3. No Visual Component for Better Recall

Audio-only ads are inherently less memorable than ads that combine sight and sound. Without visuals, it’s harder to establish brand recognition, reinforce messages, or create a compelling call to action. Streaming video advertising offers a more engaging and effective alternative.

4. Lack of Immediate Actionability

Unlike Google Search Ads or YouTube Video Advertising, which allow users to click and engage instantly, radio ads rely on listeners remembering your brand later. In a world where instant gratification is key, this delay significantly reduces conversion rates.

Better Advertising Alternatives for Modern Businesses

If you’re still relying on traditional radio, consider shifting to more effective digital advertising channels that offer better targeting, measurable results, and greater engagement:

1. Streaming Radio & Podcasts on Spotify

Streaming services like Spotify allow advertisers to target specific demographics and interests, making ads more relevant and impactful. Podcast advertising also offers high engagement rates, as listeners are more likely to trust and respond to host-read ads.

2. Streaming Television (Connected TV & OTT Advertising)

Connected TV (CTV) and Over-the-Top (OTT) advertising reach audiences across multiple devices—smart TVs, computers, tablets, and mobile phones—combining the power of sight and sound for maximum impact.

3. Google Search & Local Service Ads

People searching on Google are actively looking for solutions, making Google Search Ads one of the most effective ways to capture high-intent leads. Local Service Ads are another great way to target customers in your specific geographic area.

4. YouTube Video Advertising

YouTube Advertising combines visual and audio elements, offering a more immersive ad experience. With billions of users, it provides unparalleled reach and targeting capabilities based on user interests and behavior.

Let Mad Men Marketing Build Your Custom Media Plan

Traditional radio advertising is becoming less effective in today’s digital world. If you’re looking for a smarter, results-driven approach, Mad Men Marketing can help. Our team specializes in custom-tailored media plans that maximize your advertising investment and drive real business growth.

Contact us today to explore the best digital advertising solutions for your business!

Why Billboards Are Waste Of Money

For decades, billboards have been a staple in traditional advertising, but in today’s fast-paced, digital world, they have become an antiquated, ineffective, and overpriced medium. Businesses looking to maximize their marketing dollars need to rethink their strategies—because putting all your eggs in the billboard basket is a costly mistake.

The Problem With Billboards

1. Lack of a Captive Audience
   Unlike digital marketing or even traditional media like television and radio, billboards never provide a captive audience. People driving past an advertisement are often distracted or focused on the road, making it nearly impossible to capture their full attention.
2. Impressions Are Fleeting
   With digital billboards constantly rotating ads, your message is visible for mere seconds. This reduces the likelihood of retention and significantly diminishes the impact of your campaign. Static billboards are no better—while they may be visible for longer, they quickly blend into the background and become part of the everyday scenery.
3. Overpriced and Inefficient
   Billboards demand a premium price for placement, yet their return on investment (ROI) is difficult to measure. Unlike digital marketing, which provides trackable engagement metrics, billboards leave businesses guessing about their effectiveness. If your advertising budget is limited, investing in a medium that lacks measurable results is a risk you cannot afford.
4. Lack of Immediate Actionability
   Most people are not in a position to take immediate action when they see a billboard. Whether they’re driving or commuting, they can’t just stop and make a purchase or visit a website on the spot. Contrast this with digital ads, where users can instantly click to call, visit a website, or complete a purchase.

Smarter Alternatives for Your Marketing Budget

Instead of pouring money into an outdated medium, businesses should focus on advertising strategies that provide measurable results, better audience targeting, and higher engagement rates. Some effective alternatives include:

– Search Engine Marketing (SEM) & Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: Get your brand in front of potential customers actively searching for your products or services. – Social Media Advertising: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn allow precise targeting based on user behavior and demographics. – Content Marketing & SEO: Creating valuable content and optimizing for search engines ensures long-term visibility and organic traffic growth. – Email & SMS Marketing: Engage with your audience directly through personalized campaigns that drive conversions.

Invest Wisely—Go Digital

If your business relies solely on billboards for advertising, you may be setting yourself up for failure. At Mad Men Marketing, we specialize in data-driven, digital-first marketing solutions that deliver real results. Don’t waste your budget on an outdated medium—let us help you build a marketing strategy that works.

Contact us today to learn how we can maximize your advertising investment and take your brand to the next level.

Evaluating the Best Super Bowl Ads of 2025

The Super Bowl is more than just a championship football game—it’s the grand stage for the most anticipated advertisements of the year. In 2025, the best ads were front-loaded in the first half, which, given the tough loss suffered by the Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles, was probably a good thing for viewers looking for some lighthearted entertainment.

Before diving into my top pick, here’s a quick rundown of a few standout commercials that deserve an honorable mention:

• Ritz Crackers featuring Aubrey Plaza (and friends) – A quirky, star-studded ad that brought humor and charm.
• Stand Up to Hate with Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady – This ad was in my top three for its strong message and creativity, punctuated perfectly by Snoop’s delivery at the end.
• WeatherTech’s Old Ladies – If Liquid Death can make water exciting, WeatherTech made rubber floor mats amusing in an unexpected way.
• Ram Trucks’ Goldilocks – A testosterone-fueled reimagining of the classic children’s tale, blending ruggedness with nostalgia.
• Angel Soft’s Bathroom Break – A clever, well-timed spot that capitalized on a natural Super Bowl moment.
• Post Malone’s Bud Light Cul-de-Sac Party – Another entry in the Bud Light playbook that delivered good vibes and brand recognition.
• MSC Cruises with Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom – Highlighting the cultural divide between the U.S. and England with humor and elegance.
• Super Boston Dunkin’ Ad – Ben Affleck’s return to Dunkin’ was packed with heavy Boston accents and familiar faces, making for a crowd-pleasing hit.

My Favorite Ad of the Night

The standout ad for me was Meta’s collaboration with Ray-Ban, featuring their new smart glasses. The commercial kicked off with Chris Pratt using the Meta AI within the glasses to inquire about some artwork he’s observing—a banana duct-taped to a wall. The AI informs him that the piece is valued at $6.2 million.

The scene then shifts to Chris Hemsworth, who is casually eating the infamous banana. Though he’s also wearing the Meta glasses, he doesn’t seem to be using them—though, let’s face it, he can make anything look stylish. Pratt, in shock, exclaims, “That’s a 6.2 million dollar banana!” to which Hemsworth replies, “Are you kidding?”

Their ensuing scramble to replace the banana leads them to a sleek, well-stocked refrigerator, revealing that they are actually inside a private collection rather than a museum. Enter Kris Jenner, the art’s owner, who sternly asks, “Who eats art?!” In an attempt to deflect, Pratt and Hemsworth bumble their way into demonstrating the AI’s functionality: “I think you’re supposed to say, ‘Hey Meta, who eats art?’ and then Meta would say Chris Pratt,” as Pratt points at a Hemsworth in shock. The ad closes with Jenner deadpanning, “Hey Meta, call my lawyer,” before the Meta and Ray-Ban logos appear, along with the glasses’ $299 starting price.

Why This Ad Stood Out

This commercial wasn’t just funny and packed with pop-culture relevance; it showcased a product that could genuinely change consumer technology in a meaningful way. Much like the rise of smartwatches, these AI-powered glasses have the potential to redefine how we capture and interact with the world around us.

For younger generations who document their lives on social media, or for influencers who rely on seamless content creation, these glasses streamline photography, video recording, and AI-driven assistance. The ability to take natural, unobstructed mirror selfies, capture videos effortlessly, and receive instant answers makes them a game-changer. Given their stylish design, reasonable price, and practical functionality, these smart glasses could become a major hit in the wearable tech industry for years to come.

Elevate Your Brand with Mad Men Marketing

Super Bowl ads prove time and time again that great storytelling, creativity, and cultural relevance drive brand success. If you want to make an impact with your advertising, whether it’s through engaging digital campaigns, compelling TV spots, or innovative branding strategies, Mad Men Marketing can help. We specialize in crafting powerful, results-driven marketing campaigns that resonate with audiences and elevate brands to the next level.

Let’s create something unforgettable together. Contact us today to start shaping the future of your brand’s advertising strategy.

4 Tips for Shooting Video of Yourself on Your Phone

1. Setting

• • Choose a space that is well-lit with as little background noise as possible.
  • Avoid spaces where you will be back-lit, such as sitting in front of a window or a lamp, as this could cause you to be silhouetted and difficult to see. Position yourself to keep your main light source in front of you.
  • Also, avoid spaces where there would be distracting clutter in the shot.

2. Framing your shot

• • Position the camera at your eye level to avoid shooting yourself at high or low angles, and keep yourself centered in the frame.
  • Use a tripod to keep your camera steady. Some selfie sticks come with a built-in tripod. If you don’t have this equipment available, then propping up the phone on a flat surface can work.

3. Front or back-facing camera

The back-facing camera on your phone will provide higher quality video due to a better lens and higher megapixels. But if you prefer to be able to see yourself as you shoot, then you can use the front-facing camera.

KEEP IN MIND: As you’re shooting, keep eye contact with the lens as if it’s the person you’re talking to.

4. Hitting the record button

• • Give yourself a couple of seconds after you hit the record button to start talking. This will give the final video editor room to splice in your video and transition between others.
  • Be sure to smile before you start talking and after you finish.
  • Speak clearly and avoid muttering or trailing off as you talk.

5. Some more helpful tips

• • Keep water on hand (but make sure you can’t see it in the shot) for when your mouth or throat get dry.
  • Avoid wearing jewelry that can make noise, like bangled bracelets.
  • Don’t be too hard on yourself. Most people get nervous being on camera and it can take multiple tries to get it right!

Advertising Locally on Streaming TV

Advertising Locally on Streaming TV (specifically Hulu)

I think everyone knows what streaming TV is, but in the very basic terms, it is the digital distribution of any video content that is consumed on TV screens. Some popular platforms are Disney+, Netflix, Prime and for this article, Hulu.

I am focusing on Hulu because they are the first service to offer local insertions in their programming. This is huge for local advertisers! According to Nielsen, adults 18-34 traditional TV ratings have declined 69% since 2017. So in 4 short years, 70% of adults under 35 years of age, are no longer watching traditional, local news station content over the air, or through traditional cable service providers. I for one have been a huge fan of “Only Murders in the Building” on Hulu, and when a platform has successful content such as this, it increases usage in large numbers. As an example, I am now watching the Hulu platform almost daily at some point, whereas before the show, I did not.

So why is this important? Because like me, Hulu viewership is up in a big way.  As Hulu puts it, we are starting to see GENERATION STREAM come to maturity and they consume their content almost exclusively on a streaming service. In fact, Hulu’s research points that ads on their platforms are 151% more engaging than linear TV. There are many reasons for this, but their limited content breaks and non-traditional approach to breaks in general, makes for a better user experience.

The new Hulu self-service option to buying and inserting ads locally in their programming, for as little as $500, is something I hope local companies will take advantage of!