Fox has bought into the new super-short radio ad format touted by Clear Channel Communications and is running two-second spots to promote the new season of "The Simpsons." And while the net is one of
many in Hollywood using the ads, which debuted last year, their involvement may not get too deep. "I'm not sure if the success of shorter radio ads can be quantified," says Fred Moran, a Stanford
Group financial analyst. "I see them as just another tool in this effort to get these messages out there without overtaxing listeners."  
  For a show like The Simpsons it can
work, since fans have been following the show for two decades. But for less-known brands, two seconds may not be enough time to get much across. "I don't think you can make a full campaign out of
one-second spots, adlets or blinks," says Dennis McGuire, a New York-based vice president for Carat. 
  But he says they can be a good tool to reinforce existing messages or plant an
idea. Fox uses the blinks in conjunction with longer spots and the approach is about ways "to get more frequency and be a little more intrusive," says Kaye Bentley, the Fox Broadcasting senior vice
president. who handles national ad buys, affiliate marketing and on-air promotion.
    
advertisement
advertisement
Read the whole story at MySanAntonio.com »