Denny's Gets Tough with Competition

Recently I had breakfast with a business associate at Denny's and found it a very interesting experience. When I walked in the store I saw signs comparing Denny's to the competition. How they offered "real food" versus the wimpy breakfast meals of the competition. In fact, you begin to get the impression that eating breakfast anywhere else but Denny's means you are either stupid, or you like wimpy food.

This emphasis doesn't end at the locations. I visited Dennys.com and noticed the slogan for the company and seen often in the site is "Real Breakfast 24/7." They are definitely putting other restaurants on notice.

This message is also seen in their new TV commercials, which they display with pride at Denny's website. The "heroes" in these commercials -- those demanding their Denny's breakfast -- are not particularly endearing or attractive (typically the best actors for such spots), but they are tough. They want their Denny's and they want it now.

I don't know if these ads are successful or not, but they are being noticed. In an environment with so many commercials that are easy to ignore, this is certainly saying something.

For a copy of the free audio program and free report, "Why Your Marketing Isn't Working," email Info@HoustonBusinessShow.com and put "marketing" in the subject line.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Fox's Super Bowl Coup

Any regular reader of this blog knows I'm a big fan of Fox. All the more so with recent success they enjoyed with the Super Bowl over the weekend.

It was, without question, one of the best games in the history of the game. In fact, it was one of the best games in the history of all games. This is certainly one that is destined to go down in history. It was one of those games where I am sure many called others saying, "you have to watch this."

I was delighted to see that Fox pulled it off without a major wardrobe dysfunction and all the Any regular reader of this blog knows I'm a big fan of Fox. All the more so with recent success they enjoyed with the Super Bowl over the weekend.

It was, without question, one of the best games in the history of the game. In fact, it was one of the best games in the history of all games. This is certainly one that is destined to go down in history. It was one of those games where I am sure many called others saying, "you have to watch this."

I was delighted to see that Fox pulled it off without a major wardrobe dysfunction and all the embarassment and cost (in fines) that can come with that. Yes, Paula Abdul was a little stiff, but she remained in clothes.

The commercials were solid and, thanks to the network's relationship to MySpace.com, people will find those spots archived. that means these commercials will have an after life like we have never seen before. Furthermore, with the commercials strategic location in the world's premeir social network, all the advertisers will be able to monitor public opinon on the spots. This will provide an unprecedented level of research.

Also, Fox had the opportunity to promote its new line up of programming both on TV and online at MySpace (where you see those ads pop up repeatedly).

In the end, Fox was great for the fans and its clients, proving once again why Murdoch is one of the most brilliant people in media today.and cost (in fines) that can come with that. Yes, Paula Abdul was a little stiff, but she remained in clothes.

The commercials were solid and, thanks to the network's relationship to MySpace.com, people will find those spots archived. that means these commercials will have an after life like we have never seen before. Furthermore, with the commercials strategic location in the world's premier social network, all the advertisers will be able to monitor public opinion on the spots. This will provide an unprecedented level of research.

In the end, Fox was great for the fans and its clients, proving once again why Murdoch is one of the most brilliant people in media today.

By the way, you can see that archive of commercials here.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Media, Advertising, and PR for Businesses in Houston

There is a reason why virtually every advertisement says "that's not all, oh no, that's not all" -- that type of message is very effective. People simply want more for their money and advertisers know it. Unfortunately, rarely do businesses get such offerings. A company I am with, the Houston Business Media Group, is actually doing something about it and is creating quite a stir.

In a recent post, I discussed a new multimedia program that offers radio, TV, web, and other media at a very small package price. Here are the major points of that post:

* 7 ads a day, M-F between 6 AM and Midnight on the hottest new channel in Comcast's interconnect -- Fox Business Network, which is in over 600,000 homes for 13 weeks

* Quarterly interview on the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650)

* Promotion of the ad campaign (and your business) on the radio show

* Campaign (and your business) featured on the home page of HoustonBusinessShow.com (under "As Seen on TV" link)

* Promoted in the Houston Business Review that goes to over 50,000 every week during the campaign

* All production costs are included

* This ad campaign is below market on the TV alone, but includes all these other excellent elements. This is an excellent opportunity to have a multimedia campaign at a very reasonable cost.

I find the single biggest challenge facing small businesses is how to reach new customers in an economically sensible fashion. That is exactly what the Houston Business Media Group offers through this innovative program. I suggest emailing Andy Valadez of Marketing Dynamics (the Media Group's ally in this program) at Andy@MarketingDynamics.org or call him at 713.560.3348. One could call out of the curiosity of how we do it.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and is Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Visit HBR to get your free subscription.

Innovative Program Makes TV Ads Very Affordable in Houston

The Houston Business Show and Marketing Dynamics are implementing a unique marketing campaign that provides businesses with TV, radio, web, ezine advertising, and more for the typical price of utilizing one media. This from Houston's dBusinessNews on the elements of the program:

* 7 ads a day, M-F between 6 AM and Midnight on the hottest new channel in Comcast's interconnect -- Fox Business Network, which is in over 600,000 homes for 13 weeks

* Quarterly interview on the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650)

* Promotion of the ad campaign (and your business) on the radio show

* Campaign (and your business) featured on the home page of HoustonBusinessShow.com (under "As Seen on TV" link)

* Promoted in the

Houston Business Review that goes to over 50,000 every week during the campaign

* All production costs are included

* This ad campaign is below market on the TV alone, but includes all these other excellent elements. This is an excellent opportunity to have a multimedia campaign at a very reasonable cost.

I admit, I'm practicing a little "crass commercialism" here, but I am also providing something that I think many small business owners would be thankful for this time of the year. At only $4500 a business over three months, it is quite an opportunity. Get more information from Andy Valadez at Marketing Dynamics by emailing him at andy@marketingdynamics.org or by calling him at 713.560.3348.