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What We Do

We Create Messages that Penetrate

We create advertising messages that capture and and hold your prospect’s attention, campaigns designed to increase your share-of-mind among consumers in your market, to help you become the leading local brand in your category.

Good advertising is about your customer. If you expect your advertising to capture and and hold your prospect’s attention, what you say has to matter to them. For starters, stop answering questions they’re not asking!

We’ll work with you to create messages that matter to your prospects. Messages that will help them remember you, and feel good about doing business with you. 

Doesn’t your business deserve this kind of advertising? If you answered Yes, be prepared to invest your time and effort, not just your money.

The Power of Sound and Human Speech

Sound is uniquely intrusive. It gets into the brain faster than pictures or the printed word, and stays there longer. All other factors being equal, ear-oriented advertising is more potent than eye-oriented advertising. You can take that to the bank.

Few of us write letters today. Instead we send texts and emails, or post comments on social media. But when the message really matters, what do we do?

We pick up the phone and call the person.

Why? Because human speech is our primary form of communication. Speech combines words and emotions with an authenticity that cannot be achieved by any other means.

Let me illustrate. Listen to this :60-second story.

https://firststrikeradio.com/wp-content/uploads/ClearviewEyeClinic_60-02_MeredithMalek©RodSchwartz-GBS.mp3

Could Meredith’s story could be told as effectively using the printed word?  Probably not. When we speak to each other, it’s not just the words, but our emotions, enthusiasm, and the honesty attached to them convey so much more!

Unscripted testimonials, such as this one, are one of my favorite ways to tell an advertiser’s story. There’s no better spokesman for your business than an enthusiastic customer.

Your business is unique. Why should your advertising sound like everyone else’s?

What makes you different? What makes you special? Why should people care? These are the questions we ask, to help your prospective consumer to make a meaningful distinction between you and your competition. As one of my mentors likes to say, our goal in creating advertising for you is for you to become the first business in your category that comes to mind, and the one customers feel the best about when the need arises.

We accomplish this through engaging, effective story-telling.

We don’t “create” a story for you; we uncover your story. We take the time to assess your competitive strengths, vulnerabilities, and market potential. We find out what makes you different. When appropriate, we’ll talk to your employees and customers, as well, to see your business through the lens of their experience.

We uncover the attributes, values, beliefs, and practices that define your unique business personality. We consider how best to convey your story so that it resonates, makes a deep impression, psychologically and emotionally.

We help you bond with your present and future customers through the power of “word of mouth” multiplied exponentially.

If you think your business would benefit from this more thoughtful and deliberate approach to advertising, we really should talk soon. Call me and let’s continue the conversation.

Let’s Talk

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Our Storytelling Testimonial Ads Earn High Praise from The Wizard of Ads®

Success Stories

Within 3-4 months of the campaign kicking off, I began to see clients reaching out specifically for me, realtors upset with me because I was “stealing their clients” and most importantly increased listings and sales. In addition, I was typically introduced at Chamber events, Rotary meetings and WSU events as “Pullman’s Real Estate Expert” not by my choice but because the person doing the introduction decided to include that description on their own. The campaign was launched in about 2010 and in 2013 I was number 3 in the market and voted as Whitman County Association of Realtors “Realtor of the Year.” Today’s real estate market quite challenging and competitive; it is extremely difficult for a Realtor entering a new community. Rod’s expertise in marketing helped me build a brand for my business. From the creative radio campaign to his assistance with carrying the brand through all other mediums, he has helped me build a successful business. I highly recommend Rod to anyone that is looking to build their business.
Chud Wendle, Realtor®Hutton SettlementSpokane, WA
Rod Schwartz is a consummate leader in the Radio Industry. His work with Grace Broadcast Sales is legendary and his innovative Radio Sales Café (a social outlet for Radio Sales Professionals) is rapidly becoming one of the finest resources for Radio Sales Professionals looking to teach, learn and share. Whether you’re a broadcaster or a businessperson looking to connect listeners to your cash register, if you have an opportunity to work with Mr. Schwartz, I suggest you take it.
Blake MesserNewfangled Commerce
Working with Rod Schwartz has been an extremely rewarding advertising collaboration. Rod is a true partner in making sure our services are known and understood by our potential clients and the community at large. His passion to communicate effectively, clearly, and well has positively impacted our organization at many levels. I can’t recommend him highly enough.
Brenda SaltzerAscend
This guy is good! His product is as good as it gets. I strongly recommend Rod.
Rick MurphyMad Dog Wireless, Inc.Lake Havasu City, AZ
My experience with Rod and his creativity has helped my business grow for more than 20 years. His ideas never seem to wane and his enthusiasm is always refreshing. He has always worked hard to meet our goals and needs, and he makes sure the message is spot-on. As a student of marketing, Rod comes to meetings with a fresh approach and ideas to help his clients.
Donald K. FreiHoward Hughes Appliance, Television, and Sleep Shop
When I first moved to this community I was surprised at the quality and  creativity that I was hearing on some local commercials.  Frankly, I thought they were produced in a large market and then sent here. I’ll admit it.  I was biased towards large media markets after doing talent work in Sacramento and San Francisco.   Then I met Rod Schwartz. He’s a creative genius and a consummate professional.  He could work in any market but he prefers the non-urban environment and I don’t blame him, especially since I’m the mayor of Pullman.  Over the years, Rod and I have had a chance to do a number of commercials and public service spots and it’s been a great experience and it’s been fun. He takes time to understand his client and his work reflects that.  Give him a listen. It’s well worth your time!
Glenn A. Johnson, Ph.DProfessor Emeritus, Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University
The items Rod has created for us and others across the country are insightful and touching. He writes with a passion and brings you into his messages through his artful use of words. Rod knows what to do and how to do it. Could one ask for more?
David NeelyRenda Broadcasting
Rod helps me stay on top of the marketing needs of our business. He is clearly an expert at what he does and is professional at all times.
Jocelyn StottMarkouture
Rod is a rock solid resource. Whether as a writer, voice talent or marketing consultant, Rod will not just finish the job on time, he will eat, breathe, and live the job until it is perfect. Don’t expect him to just slap something together, that’s not how he works. Rod wants every job to be something very special that stands out from all the rest. I give Rod my very highest recommendation.
Dan WalkerDan Walker Productions
Rod is a trusted creative partner and experienced resource for developing memorable radio copy and campaigns for us. He knows how to effectively translate our brand and story for radio.
Megan GuidoPullman Regional Hospital
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