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"Extreme Demos" -- Powering the new Hoover® MAXExtract® Carpet Washer infomercial -- watch it and learn more.

Post date: 02/17/2012 - 11:15

You've heard of "extreme makeovers" and extreme reality shows…now there are extreme demos in the Hoover infomercial…see what's behind this breakthrough tactic. See the show | Read the story

DRTV StatWatch February

Post date: 02/02/2012 - 17:20

Originally posted on:

Electronic Retailer

Our “DRTV StatWatch” column in Electronic Retailer magazine is now online…every month we’ll present and analyze a relevant statistic and look at top-level implications for DRTV marketers.

Video testimonials and product videos increase conversions 20% to 95%
See what we have to say.

ComScore Study: A Third of Ad Impressions Are Never Seen

Post date: 01/20/2012 - 13:52

We’ve been speaking with our clients for some time now about converting the majority of their “image/CPM” buys to “response” driven tactics.

Why spend money on “image” when you can gain acquisition results efficiently and get branding “for free”?

Here’s a secondary reason to buy media through CPC tactics:

ComScore released its findings from its ad-verification tool and claim that over 30 percent of ad impressions on the web never actually meet up with an eyeball.

Across all measured campaigns, 69 percent of ad impressions were classified as being “in view.” The remaining 31 percent, the study says, were delivered but never seen by a consumer for various reasons.
An average of 4 percent of ad impressions were delivered outside of their target geographical region.

The study involved 12 national brands, 3,000 placements, 381,000 site domains and 1.7 billion ad impressions. ComScore plans to release a full white paper from its study in March.

President’s Take: DUH Research

Post date: 01/12/2012 - 14:39

This is a real pet peeve of mind. “Duh” research projects are those that end up stating the obvious. Time and money is wasted producing and ultimately reviewing these efforts. This could be easily prevented by simply trusting common sense. Here’s the summary:

New research from NPD In-Stat—covering how hardware form factors determine device usage—concluded that there are optimal uses for certain screen sizes. Larger screens, it found, were better for “productive” needs. Smaller screens were better for communication and entertainment. In-Stat categorizes as productivity web browsing, email, and app usage – smaller screens more likely used for entertainment such as video or music consumption.

DUH!

Marin Software

Post date: 01/12/2012 - 13:26

Originally posted on:

Marin Insights

Two important posts on Marin Software’s blog:

Learn why we wrote “The Critical Importance of a Very Close Working Relationship Between Marin and our Agency”
Insights from Marin’s 4Q 2011 advertising report, showing trends in paid search

Both are recommended reading. Find them both here.

DRTV StatWatch

Post date: 01/12/2012 - 13:22

Originally posted on:

Electronic Retailer

Our “DRTV StatWatch” column in Electronic Retailer magazine is now online…every month we’ll present and analyze a relevant statistic and look at top-level implications for DRTV marketers.

This month’s stat: 60% of TV audiences regularly surf the web while watching their favorite shows.
See what we have to say.

Happy Thanksbuying

Post date: 11/22/2011 - 10:01

Originally posted on:

First, have a great turkey day and enjoy time with family and/or friends.

But before you finish work this week, check out your thankyou page on your website, also called the confirmation page. It’s where you confirm the order and (hopefully) thank customers for buying – hence “thanksbuying” as the title of this article. read more...

A Lesson From The Streets

Post date: 11/17/2011 - 12:28

Originally posted on:

My wife and I were in New York City this past weekend, and we stumbled upon the 3rd Avenue street fair, a collection of vendors selling a wide range of goods and purveyors of a wide range of foods. read more...

Acquirgy’s iFactz™ Offline-to-Web Tracking System Closing in on 20 Millionth Transaction

Post date: 11/16/2011 - 10:37

Born out of necessity, the iFactz tracking system is closing in on 20 million transactions that have been tracked, allocated and reported. The need to track offline-to-online is critical, especially in this day and age when consumers respond to commercials in several ways. read more...

The Internet is One Big Double-Edged Sword

Post date: 11/11/2011 - 11:58

Originally posted on:

It’s been some 15 years that I’ve been involved in online customer acquisition, having started my journey in 1996 in the “Wild West” days of the ‘Net. I’ve seen technologies and platforms come and go and have learned quite a bit about what works and what doesn’t. read more...

Search Alert: Acquirgy’s POV on How Major Google Change May Affect Marketers

Post date: 11/08/2011 - 17:35

Originally posted on:

Marketers are wondering how Google’s recently announced (11/2/11) change is going to impact their paid search programs. Unlike tweaks that have no major impact, the announcements by Google could have a significant impact on SEM programs. read more...

Why All Marketers Need to Think Like Direct Marketers

Post date: 11/04/2011 - 08:29

Originally posted on:

In this day and age where CEOs are demanding that CMOs produce ROI-based results, and where customer acquisition is more important than ever, a marketer’s mindset may be in need of a tune-up. read more...

What is the Single Most Important Thing You Can Do to Grow Your Business in 2012 and Beyond?

Post date: 10/19/2011 - 10:48

Originally posted on:

Before I answer that question, humor me for a minute to give you an analogy. I’m a big NY Giants football fan, and every Sunday at our tailgate, I ask fellow Giants fans the same question: “What’s the single most important thing the Giants have to do to win today? read more...

Humanology: Do You Have The Right Balance?

Post date: 10/12/2011 - 14:52

Originally posted on:

We coined this word to describe the right balance between technology and people in our paid search practice. The thought practice behind this concept applies to just about every other technology that is out there. read more...

Acquirgy Selected for Marin Software's Certified Agency Program

Post date: 10/07/2011 - 14:08

Customer acquisition agency, user since 2009, recognized for its long term commitment to Marin platform and proficiency with industry leading tool.

Acquirgy today announced that it has been recognized as a Marin Software Certified Agency. Advertisers leveraging a Marin Software Certified Agency, such as acquirgy, receive the benefits of improved campaign performance and financial return that Marin Software’s leading online ad management platform provides. A user of the Marin platform since 2009, acquirgy has remained at the forefront of its industry in part by working collaboratively with Marin to deliver solutions that meet the specialized needs of acquirgy’s clients.

Acquirgy (www.acquirgy.com) is an Acquisition Marketing Agency developing and executing accountable marketing programs driven by immediate and measurable response metrics across all digital and traditional platforms. To improve the performance of their customers’ campaigns, acquirgy implemented Marin Software, the industry’s leading integrated platform for managing search, display, and social marketing. Acquirgy underwent a rigorous training and certification process to join the Marin Software Certified Agency Program and ensure its customers benefit from the full campaign optimization capabilities of Marin Software.

Acquirgy President Steven Morvay recently talked about the Marin relationship, saying “We have been working with Marin for several years now. Their ability to meet the campaign and bid management needs of the constantly in flux digital world has allowed us to keep pace and over deliver versus our client’s expectations.”

Added Matt Lawson, Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at Marin Software, “Our goal at Marin Software is to provide a platform that streamlines ad campaign optimization so the focus of marketers can be the strategic growth of an ad program. Brands leveraging a Marin Software Certified Agency, gain assurance their campaigns benefit from the improved efficiencies and financial lift Marin Software enables.”

A Slew of Marketing Stats Reveal Opportunities and Pitfalls for Direct Response Marketers

Post date: 10/05/2011 - 13:29

Originally posted on:

Today I came across Hubspot’s “100 Awesome Marketing Stats, Charts and Graphs,” and after reading it and circling all the ones that I feel are relevant to DR advertisers, I put everything aside to write this column. That’s how important I felt it is to opine on the current state of DR in the digital age. In doing some top-level exploring, I’ve found that there are an incredible number of opportunities for customer acquisition that combine proven tactics with a wide range of online opportunities. read more...

SEM Survey Highlights Six Opportunities for Advertisers

Post date: 09/27/2011 - 08:11

Originall posted on:

Internet Retailer's SEM Survey (August, 2011) gives us numerous clues as to how paid search programs can be expanded, optimized and enhanced to produce more sales (or leads), revenues and profits. We analyzed 6 of these stats and have specific recommendations based on our experience. read more...

Why Online Retargeting Programs Are Critical For Direct Response Marketers

Post date: 09/23/2011 - 08:27

Originally posted on:

Consumers can arrive at your website in one of three primary ways:

Direct URL – they see an infomercial or get a catalog and type in the URL.
Search – they look up your company name, product or service in their favorite engine.
Social – they come across a review or rating on a social networking site.

Senior DRTV Media Executive Joins Acquirgy, Several Promotions Also Announced

Post date: 09/20/2011 - 15:16

Acquirgy expands staff to handle new client engagements.

St. Petersburg, Florida (PRWEB) September 20, 2011

Direct Response TV media expert and management professional Jeff Copsey has joined acquirgy as VP, Media Services Jeff will oversee and direct the company's TV media buying division. He brings with him extensive experience in developing and managing results-driven media campaigns having most recently been employed by Hawthorne direct as well as several positions at Williams Worldwide.

"We are thrilled that Jeff has chosen to join acquirgy His vast experience in numerous vertical markets matches up well with our client base," said President Steven Morvay. "His knowledge of both infomercial and short-form advertising, national and local buying, and his strong relationships with media channels will provide tremendous leadership to our internal team and a powerful resource for our client's businesses," he added.

Copsey said "I've always wanted to work in an environment that was truly multichannel, and where one of the cornerstones is DRTV. I'm particularly excited about using the proprietary offline-to-online tracking system, iFactz."

Also joining acquirgy as Directors of Business Development are Steve Kelley and Joyce A. Monterose, who will report to Linda Chaney, SVP, Business Development, who said "My two new team members have exactly the kind of extensive experience that are ideally suited for our customer acquisition services." Kelley was most recently at It's Your Biz (formerly SBTV.com) and Monterose comes to acquirgy from Microsoft.

The company also announced several recent promotions, recognizing quality work and dedication to clients. They include Lou Conte to CFO, Jo Davis to Accounting Manager, Lisa Raver to Director of Operations and Elizabeth Riley to Search Manager.

Acquirgy's New Rowenta Infomercial Is Loaded With Proven Direct Response TV Tactics

Post date: 09/14/2011 - 13:21

See our strategy in action: a constant stream of consumer, professional and celebrity/designer testimonials showing the product in action is the basis for this infomercial. The "Rowenta Knowledge Center" is the setting. Real savings vs. dry cleaning are detailed, and animation showing "Float Above The Fabric" technology is compelling, as is the offer.

See it in our Winner's Circle on YouTube at: read more...

The Summer 2011 Class of New Acquirgy Employees

Post date: 09/07/2011 - 09:16

We're proud to announce new employees that have joined our company over the last several months. See who they are at: read more...

Dozens of Success Case Summaries Now in the IntelCenter

Post date: 09/07/2011 - 09:14

Learn the how's and why's behind our successful DRTV, SEM, online and multichannel success stories at: read more...

Use of Social Networks to Find Content Has Increased 254%

Post date: 09/07/2011 - 09:12

Should you be investing dollars in social media? How much? And what budget would be reduced? Here is Irv Brechner's POV. McKinsey reports (July, 2011) that the use of Social Networks to locate online content has increased from 13% to 33% between 2008 and 2010, a whopping 254% increase.

Their iConsumer surveys show that use of search engines for the same task has decreased slightly, from 69% to 66%. Said another way, for every two consumers that use search engines to find content, one uses Social Networks. That speaks volumes for the power of Social Networks.Most other means of locating content have declined also, including search toolbars, bookmarks, portals, and links from friends. read more...

4 Ways Marketers Can Use Mobile to Generate Sales

Post date: 09/07/2011 - 09:06

A handful of innovative ideas for testing mobile to produce sales is the subject of this In The Trenches brief, by VP, Account Director Carrie Burns.

In the advertising community, mobile is hot. Red hot. Direct marketers are working overtime to figure out how to reach and sell over 227 million Americans that own cell phones. That’s over 9 in 10 adults and 70% of teens, according to Experian Simmons “2011 Mobile Consumer Report.” With the exception of kids under age 14, 82% to 98% of all other age brackets own cell phones. read more...

President's Take: The Power of an Offer

Post date: 09/07/2011 - 09:03

Steven Morvay talks about how powerful an offer can be in direct response, and why getting it right is so important.

We say it all the time: great creative and a bad offer won’t work.

Not-so-great creative with a powerful offer will work every time.

Same goes for a product. Combine an incredible offer with even a not-so-great product and watch the action happen right before your own eyes. read more...