L. Stern & Associates, Inc.

Overall Grade: B-. Nothing awful, but nothing iconic either.  Except maybe the last ad I mention below. Best ad: Avocados from Mexico.  Funny and easy to remember.  Great branding.  And really strong statement of product benefits (can use them with more than chips). Runner up: Doritos and Mountain Dew combo.  I would like pretty much anything Morgan Freeman is in, and, ... Read More

For more information on how L. Stern & Associates can mean more business for you, call us at 847/205-1936, or e-mail us at info@lsternmktg.com.

Super Bowl ads for Sunday are going for about $5 million a pop for the privilege of being seen by around 110 million people.  Two things are certain: Some will succeed…wildly.  You will not only love the ad, but you’ll remember whose ad it is.  And, importantly, it inspired some sort of positive association with the brand. Some will fail…miserably.  For example, ... Read More

For more information on how L. Stern & Associates can mean more business for you, call us at 847/205-1936, or e-mail us at info@lsternmktg.com.

R you ready to be a more effective marketer in 2018?  Here are a few “R” words to think about as you prepare to implement your marketing strategies and tactics.  They are all important, so they are presented in alphabetical order. Ratings. Ratings are nothing new.  People have been using ratings from Consumer Reports and other sources for decades when ... Read More

For more information on how L. Stern & Associates can mean more business for you, call us at 847/205-1936, or e-mail us at info@lsternmktg.com.

I was at a social event recently and when I explained that a lot of my time is spent on market research in the pharma industry, somebody said that drug companies should not be allowed to advertise, and that the money should be spent on research. Last year, The Chicago Tribune ran an article asking whether drug ads help patients or ... Read More

For more information on how L. Stern & Associates can mean more business for you, call us at 847/205-1936, or e-mail us at info@lsternmktg.com.

What I am musing about as the holidays approach.  What if: This holiday season, you spend a little less time than planned working and a little more time than planned with friends and family? You get every present you want? More importantly, your eyes light up when you see the joy of your children, grandchildren and other family members opening each of their ... Read More

For more information on how L. Stern & Associates can mean more business for you, call us at 847/205-1936, or e-mail us at info@lsternmktg.com.

Just like the holiday shopping season, most other things are occurring earlier every year.  So in that spirit, I am sending my Leftovers blog out BEFORE Thanksgiving. So…Leftovers. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, there are a few things we can count on.  Holiday shopping.  Lots of parties and food.  Hopefully, looking forward to holiday travel…especially for those of us in colder climates. And ... Read More

For more information on how L. Stern & Associates can mean more business for you, call us at 847/205-1936, or e-mail us at info@lsternmktg.com.

Michael Jordan’s recent $8.9 million victory against a grocery store chain for using his likeness without his permission provides an opportunity to reinforce many lessons about your brand (above and beyond don’t use a celebrity without his/her permission).

For more information on how L. Stern & Associates can mean more business for you, call us at 847/205-1936, or e-mail us at info@lsternmktg.com.

“My name is Joel Goodson. I deal in human fulfillment. I grossed over eight thousand dollars in one night. Time of your life, huh kid?” That, of course, is the concluding line from “Risky Business.”  With that line Joel, played by Tom Cruise, announced the results of his high school entrepreneurial project. “I deal in human fulfillment.”  Those of you who ... Read More

For more information on how L. Stern & Associates can mean more business for you, call us at 847/205-1936, or e-mail us at info@lsternmktg.com.

A few weeks ago, a client had somebody post a vicious, inaccurate post on its Facebook page.  The client and I discussed what to do, but before we could take any action his customer called and removed the post after she realized she was wrong.  However, we were prepared to keep the post up and respond online. A few years ago, ... Read More

For more information on how L. Stern & Associates can mean more business for you, call us at 847/205-1936, or e-mail us at info@lsternmktg.com.

Over the last few months, Viagra has broken the mold for erectile dysfunction (ED) drug advertising.  For years, the ED brand ads were remarkably similar.  Men in at least their 50s doing various things talking about their ED, or couples in at least their 50s looking lovingly at each other.  Most of the couples appeared to be middle class to ... Read More

For more information on how L. Stern & Associates can mean more business for you, call us at 847/205-1936, or e-mail us at info@lsternmktg.com.