DarkSyde Acres Radio commercial

[bodybagging]

Hey Guys just figured Id share our Radio commercial from last year with you.
Here in Michigan the Radio stations are over saturated with generic haunted House commercials, that all sound the same and are hard to tell whos who. So we took a different approach from your typical commercial....

There are a few catch phrases in there that seem to catch the listeners attention .

Here you go enjoy!

http://www.darksydeacres.com/dsa_radio.mp3

[Allen H]

Sounds fun, I almost expected to here "but wait theres more!". I dont know your market but im normally not a fan of haunt ads that put down other haunts, It may be justified and necesary in certain markets, so I dont look down on those who do it. Im glad the campain worked out well for you.

[bodybagging]

Actually Allen, Im a firm believer in NOT putting down other haunted Attractions, in fact I push hard for Cross promoting among all of our local venues.
But BIG BUT in this case, This Commercial was in retaliation to a Local Haunt owner inserting Dont go to the DARKSYDE in his $180,000.00 worth of radio commercials.

some say he did me a favor by inserting my name into everyone of his commercials that you hear every other 5 seconds during sept.-oct. personally I dont see it that way.

[Slain]

Body Bag,
That truly is a funny ad.
Do you think this industry is ready for change in the way haunts use and buy media?
Tired of that radio ad you bought sounding like some lame DJ yelling that your haunt is the biggest thing since ELVIRA's TITs?
We have thought of sharing our secrets on how to produce high end radio and television ads for just the haunt industry. We have all of the tools and the people that actually do this for a living and that love the haunt industry. These would all be custom to fit your needs and no two would sound alike. The people that would be doing this do it for a living, (not a side gig) and they are some of the best out there.
Anyone that would like us to send samples of our work just ask. We would love to show off what kind of things you can do with a small budget, and to make you stand out from the competition..

[bodybagging]

I find that one of the biggest issues I have with having a Radio Station create an ad would be the fact that 99% of the time its done by one of their DJs which is a recognizable, identifiable voice, and listeners tune it out of their head.

Ive heard quite a few good outsourced commercials, in Fact there is a gentleman on the forums that makes fantastic commercials for haunts.

Slain do you have samples of your work?

[Darkangel]

Here we go again...I know no one is going to say it so I guess I have to be the "bad guy", with morals.

Why in the world would you say in your haunted house ads you "couldn't even buy a hooker for $20" and then have a latino girl respond in your ad? And then you shoot a zombie in the "wrong head"? Yet again, I find myself at odds with the way we as an industry portray ourselves to the public if I heard that I would simply NOT visit your haunt and I'm sure I'm not alone. It's in poor taste, does nothing to sell your product, and takes away attention to the point of the ad, your HAUNTED ATTRACTION! If it worked for you, then that's great for you but I wonder if another approach might have done better for you?

Also, you are critical towards your competition and you say you get three haunted houses for $20, so what if they happen to be three bad haunts? People would rather go to one great haunt than 2-4 mediocre ones at an attraction. I'm not implying your haunts are mediocre at all, just saying it might be a good idea to say you get three great or scary haunted houses for only $20.

I'm sure this will open the flood gates of Dark-anal hate, but my intent is pro-industry and I would much rather see haunts do creepy, scary, but with style and class in their presentations than to try to attract the bottom feeders of society for customers. It's not the early days of haunting anymore and we should not have to stoop to this level anymore....

DA

[bodybagging]

Dark Angel, your opinion is duly noted, and no hatred reply here from me, as you stated, if this works for me, then do it. I feel that humor is huge and if I am able to separate my attraction from the others by using abit of humor, then I do it. On a sidenote, those that attended our attraction and mentioned the radio ad, loved repeating the Dead Hooker and Wrong Head promos to anyone that would listen.
Its memorable and creates a lasting impression, apparently in some cases not a favorable one.
Truthfully I dont feel im critical of other haunts, I feel if you represent yourself as something you should be what you represent. 2010 DarkSyde Acres had 3 haunted houses, for $20 which I promoted, we also had Zombie Paintball which we promoted, what we did not promote was our huge drive in screen, our Midway, our live bands. but then again we only have 60 seconds per spot, and as you see I chose to insert my choice of humor to catch and HOLD the listeners attention.

[Darkangel]

Well said, I appreciate your level-headed response. Like I said, if it worked for you then that's great. It's not the approach I would take or like done to represent our industry, but to each their own.

Thanks!


DA

[Spikerip]

Hey Rob,

I've been trying to reach you, left a message on the haunt number. Please call me when you get a chance.

I like the radio spot, definately breaks through the clutter. Your audience is teens and college students and they'll probably enjoy the humor. Why not have two spots; the one you have and another spot that is typical haunt related. Just a thought. I can recommend someone that does fantastic work.

We really enjoyed seeing your haunt last year. We're planning to include it on our MHC bus tour in 2012.

Please call me when you get a chance. Thanks,

Kelly Collins
614-203-4626

[zombiphobe]

It is definitely different than any haunt ad I've heard. I think DA makes some good points (did I just say that? ) but then again, since when was the haunt industry the most PC industry? I DO love that you are being creative and doing something DIFFERENT.

I also get why you retaliated to the other guy, but listeners might not have picked up on it and you didn't single him out like he did to you so I could see other haunts unintentionally being affected by it. Not sure if there are others around or if it is just the two. Honestly it just kills me when I hear that haunts are at odds when they could be doing so much better by working together (or at least not working against each other).

Is that your voice? I like it.