Apryl's Advertising Blog

Aflac has pulled all of its ads from The Savage Nation over the host's comments about autism. Host Michael Savage made the comments on the air during a recent broadcast.

"I’ll tell you what autism is. In 99% of the cases, it’s a brat who hasn’t been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is," Savage said on his show.

It was just last year that Lowe's pulled its ads from CBS's Big Brother 9 after one of the contestants made a derogatory remark about people living with autism. That contestant, Adam Janinski, was working for the United Autism Foundation of Florida during his time on the reality show.

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Retailers are preparing for big bucks to be spent on back-to-school clothing. Kohl's is launching its "Inspired" campaign one week after J.C. Penney goes retro for its ads.

Singer Lenny Kravitz and his new song "Love Revolution" will be featured in ads as well as actress and Candie's girl Hayden Panettiere. Avril Lavigne, Plain White T's, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Vanessa Carlton will star in another version of the ads.

Look for 30- and 60-second spots to begin airing July 27.

J.C. Penney is launching a new ad campaign for the back-to-school rush. If you're a fan of the movie The Breakfast Club, these commercials will give you déjà vu.

The "Get that look" ads will feature kids in five new brands coming to J.C. Penney reenacting familiar scenes from the movie. There's even a cover of the movie's most famous song, "Don't You Forget About Me" performed by New Found Glory.

Saatchi & Saatchi, New York, created the campaign that will kick off with a 60-second in theater spot debuting July 18. Commercials will be seen in 93-percent of U.S. movie theaters, with TV, radio, in-store and online ads rolling out over the next seven weeks.

J.C. Penney spent $362 million in advertising last year, not including online ad spending.

Podcasters are quickly finding out their free podcasts are a great avenue for selling advertising. As many Webmasters quickly transform their content to include podcasting, find out what you need to know to begin running paid commercials during your podcast.

Buy a couch. Get free gas. Buy a DVD player. Get free gas. Buy dinner for two. Get free gas.

If you've been parked in front of the TV or had your radio on while you're driving, you've noticed the words "free gas" are popping up in more and more commercials lately. The rise of gas prices is nothing new but companies are starting to take notice that free gas is a great incentive no matter what you're selling.

Read More About Gas Prices and Advertising Read more...

For years, one of the most popular questions I've always received is, "How do I get started as a freelance copywriter?" Here's some help to get your freelance copywriting career off the ground:

• Freelance Copywriter Career Profile

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As a business owner looking for the best, inexpensive ways to advertise your business, you may feel overwhelmed on the advertising choices you have to make, especially when you're looking at a tight budget. There are plenty of low cost options for you to consider so you can get the most out of your advertising dollars.

Can you honestly say you've never made a last minute purchasing decision? Point of purchase materials are your ticket to capitalizing on the impulse buyer. But you have to know how to select a POP supplier first.

Do you need a degree? If so, what kind? Anyone with an interest in working in advertising always wants to know what kind of educational background is needed and how they can get started. Find the answers to your common questions about beginning your career in advertising.