Are We On The Air?©

In this latest edition, a look at a brilliant hire by Qurate, one of the successful infomercials of 2022 is analyzed to show why it's successful, and the reveal of the podcasts new facebook page. link to Are We On The Air Podcast facebook page

Season two kicks off with a look at how the sales are going at QVC, HSN, and ShopHQ in the second quarter of their fiscal years. QVC is making some changes, many of which were suggested on this very podcast in season one. There are new hosts at QVC, one fewer at ShopHQ, and where is Shaq? Plus a quick tribute to an amazing pet, for whom the production company is named after.

In the finale to season one, the Quarate numbers for Q1 are out, and it isn't pretty. Plus, the president of HSN sent an email to the customers, what did it say? Shawn will tell you. Then a look back at a very famous commercial from 1980, before we wrap up season one with some thoughts, comments, and plugs. Season 2 will debut September 1st (roughly). Cameraman Reys Kickstarter Luling Watermelon Thump

TV shopping meets facebook, in this episode which could also be explained by the old adage "everything old is new again". Today Shawn examines the small businesses who are taking to facebook in a way, almost identical to how the founders of the tv shopping industry were doing it forty years ago.

First there was TV, then cable TV, then OTT (over the top) TV and now it's all about CTV. In this episode, Shawn looks at how the future of all the cable shopping networks could be in something similar to an app., which QVC is already using on AppleTV.

For many, their introduction to the world of shopping on TV wasn't QVC, CVN or the Home Shopping Club, but the syndicated "Telephone Auction Shopping Program". Auctioneer Chuck Huggins guided the viewer through a frenzied hour, which couldn't epitomize the 1980s more if it tried.

Good friend of the show Marvin Segel, son of the man who created QVC Joe Segel, returns to discuss the current state of affairs at QVC/HSN, in a very frank and honest discussion with host Shawn Wilsie.

What can go wrong when you're doing a live show, from a remote location? Only everything. While some networks over-produce what they do, some under produce. We'll listen to what happens when you don't plan enough; and when you send a guest to work with a celebrity guest on location, and leave your star host back in the studio, alone. But first, more of the listener-voted annoying commercials. (don't worry, this episode if free of Hy-Vee commercials)

The parent company of QVC and HSN is going through some tough times. Today the focus is on the hosts of the networks, and if their role needs to be updated. Plus, a quick "distraction".

The segment which was started on the last episode, concludes on this one and Shawn almost loses his mind. Then an examination of the yearly numbers for QVC. The show closes with another example of the annoying commercials, the listener voted on.

Could a regional grocery store chain from the north, have some of the most annoying TV commercials running today? It's a distinct possibility, as "Are We On The Air?" begins a look a the commercials that the listeners selected.

Have you checked your zip code? Well you might want to listen to this epiosde of "Are We On The Air?" first.

If you listen to QVC/HSN, the TV shopping sales are imploding. If your network name starts with "Shop", it's a very different world. In this episode, Shawn evaluates the very different sales results in Q4 from the networks, and then offers his advice to QVC on how to easily improve it's numbers, with four basic things it's doing wrong.

Author Zen Love (maybe the greatest name ever) recently penned an article about Invicta Watches, which launches this episode of "Are We On The Air?", where the focus is the world of selling watches on TV, and why it isn't working outside of the Invicta universe. Also, a comparison of Invicta to the Swiss Brands.

It's quite the show as some very sad news to start 2022 for QVC, and some unwanted news for ShopHQ. To lighten things up, Shawn closes with a look at one of the most legendary film directors turned TV pitchman, trying hard to work through his commercial, after perhaps sampling too much of the product.

Season 1 wraps up with good friend of the show Steve Bryant sharing more stories about the crazy world of infomercials, plus what it was like writing a successful book about camcorders. If you're enjoying this series, please make certain to subscribe wherever your get your podcasts. Spotify, apple podcasts, IHeartRadio, Audacy, Google Podcasts and many more. The show returns for season 2 in 2022.

In this special Christmas edition, the top three Christmas commercials of all time are counted down. Plus two that stunk.

Welcome to a look deep inside the world of infomercials, with the host of two of the highest grossing infomercials of all time, Mr. Steve Bryant. Steve goes into great detail about how much work is put in, way before the cameras start rolling. You'll also enjoy a listen to a description of products Steve was pitched, and he turned down.

In this last interview, for now, with Ryan Johnson, he shares some insight to what his first invicta show was actually like. Then Ryan shares some of the funny moments which have happened with him and Shawn in their off air socializing, including Ryan's visit to Texas after Shawn had surgery. There's some very funny (and probably embarrassing) stories to be heard in this one.

On this episode, Ryan Johnson from the Invicta Watch Group shares his hobbies, then shares some very funny and memorable moments from his past shows.

Step into the spotlight with Invicta's very own Ryan Johnson, who's gracing the airwaves as the esteemed guest on this exclusive episode of "Are We On The Air?". Get ready for a captivating journey as Ryan delves into the secrets behind Invicta's soaring success, unveils the mysteries behind its fiercely devoted fanbase, and regales us with tales from his glamorous beginnings in the world of modeling. Tune in and discover the pulse-pounding allure of Invicta like never before!

Today it's a quick glance back to 1987 and some audio of the late Steve Chaney, who is hosting on Home Shopping Club. It was a very different world back then.

The legendary infomercial star, QVC host, and musician Steve Bryant returns to discuss a wide range of topics from the big name rock stars he's worked with to the state of the TV shopping industry today. Please enjoy another very funny show, with some great stories.

Disgraced televangelist Jim Bakker is back at it again, and selling products on TV more gratuitously than ever. Every tv shopping stereotype from the earliest days is on display in this episode from the "Jim Bakker Show". Later Shawn looks back on how QVC probably ruined the credibility of the TSV over Black Friday weekend.

Over 50 years ago, the way you sold products on TV started to change, as the ad agencies started to get creative. Today we look back at some of these commercials and cringe at what we thought was a good idea at the time. The lesson being, be careful how you pitch products, because you don't want to look back 50 years from now and say "what was I thinking?".

Our first quarterly look at the TV shopping industry, shows two very different pictures depending on which TV shopping network you're looking at.

One of infomercial and tv shopping's top grossing salesmen, Steve Bryant, joins the show today to discuss how to create a successful product demonstration, why covid didn't cause hobby items like guitars to spike in sales on TV, the problem of the "limited universe of products" on TV shopping networks and so much more.

In this episode, Kathy shares her thoughts on what makes a good TV shopping on-air personality, tells a funny story about the "are you kidding me?" item she had to sell, talks about authoring a book and hosting a talk-show pilot, plus a nice chat about what she's doing presently.

The woman who helped launch QVC in 1986, Kathy Levine joins the show. Kathy shares fantastic stories about her initial audition, getting QVC up and running, her friendship with Joan Rivers, traveling the country for QVC, and so much more. Be ready to laugh and learn, at the same time.

Take a stroll back to the 1950s when TV shows got ratings in the 60s, and the show sponsor could get what he wanted. There are many valuable lessons which one needs to know when selling on television today, that are learned in this episode. Plus, a very esoteric and highbrow look at a problem people had in the 1950s, and have today, and how the marketing around this "issue" hasn't changed. Attention Peabody award committee, this show is for you!

On this episode Manuela takes inside the business as she shares her advice for women wanting to start in the skincare industry, who she looks up to, where she thinks the industry is going, and then just when you think the interview is over, Shawn and Manuela continue on for another ten minutes talking about social media and a day in Manuela's life.

Manuela Marcheggiani returns to continue the conversation, as Shawn and Manuela discuss how Isomers has survived as the longest running skincare line on ShopHQ, what makes a good show-host, balancing the legal fine line and selling on TV, plus how COVID changed the business.

Long-running tv shopping guest Manuela Marcheggiani, co-founder and CEO of Isomers Skincare, joins the show to discuss how she started in the TV shopping industry, what caused the birth of Isomers laboratories, the advice she didn't follow, and so much more. This is part one of a multi part show.

Marvin Segel is back (with improved audio) to chat about the USA Network series "America's Big Deal". Executive produced by famed TV shopping guest and inventor Joy Mangano, it's billed as America's first "shoppable competition series that invites entrepreneurs from across the country to sell their ready-made products on-air to home viewers". Did it work? Shawn and Marvin will share their thoughts on this special episode.

The millennial has the buying power and the advisers know it. Find out how the 1990s infomercial is affecting how advisers do business today. Plus, a look at a 2021 infomercial which hits all the right marks.

In the final episode with Marvin Segel, the topics range from do we need all the shopping networks we have, to where the industry is going, and a look back on what brought Marvin to Shop NBC. It's a fascinating interview and Shawn and Marvin are already chatting about what to do next.

Marvin Segel chats about the importance of a guest to the TV shopping experience, and what makes a good (or bad) guest. Shawn then has Marvin talk more about his personal involvement at QVC. Later in the episode, Shawn and Marv begin to discuss the "Y Networks", which could likely be where this industry is heading.

Shawn continues with some conversation about the early days of QVC, and its buyout of the number one network at the time, CVN. The conversation continues around Marvins first time as a guest, and what it takes to be a good guest, which gets us into the start of our conversation about what Marvin is working on today, which could change the industry.

Marvin Segel, founder of The Y Networks and son of QVC founder Joseph Segel joins the show to discuss his fathers upbringing, how he started the Franklin Mint, and eventually QVC. In part one, Shawn and Marvin discuss all that went into the planning for QVC, and how that first day went.

Today Shawn travels back to 1939 to examine radio, later television, drama "The Guiding Light" and how that business model of the day, connects to modern day QVC/HSN.

In the conclusion of the interview with Bob Circosta, Shawn asks him about the traits which make a good host and is it easier to be a host or a guest. There's a tribute to the man who started this whole industry, Lowell "Bud" Paxon. Bob talks about the worst items he's encountered and why they were honking horns at people. The chat ends with a discussion about the future of the industry.

"Home Shopping Club" is a very different beast than the HSN you know today, and Bob explains. It is; however, so successful we discuss the second network they start up. Competition notices this, and here comes CVN and QVC to compete. Plus Bob Circosta shares his experiences as part of the "Home Shopping Game" a television game show on the CBS stations.

The first person to ever sell on Home Shopping Club (later known as HSN) Bob Circosta joins the show today, for the beginning of a multi-part interview about his career and a look at the dawn of shop-on-television, which started on radio. Bob explains how it all began, strictly by accident, at a Florida radio station. We follow the progression of the industry and his career, up to the point it went national. This interview will be continued on the next show.

In the follow up to episode seven, I answer your questions as posed on facebook.

QVC didn't invent talking to the viewer at home with a "soft sell", that concept goes back to the 1950s, as we examine today. We'll listen to one of the greatest salesman on TV and listen to his ability to use his voice in a variety of ways. After we check out a clip of an announcer recover brilliantly from everything going wrong, we fast forward to the 1980s.

I asked followers on facebook what questions they would like answered about the TV shopping industry and my career, today I answer some of those questions. Part two will come later.

Today it's time to roast the worst infomercials of all time. These are the cringeworthy wastes of video tape, which somehow made it to air in the 1990s. Listen, laugh, and shudder along as we give them an examination, in an episode you're certain to remember.

Today's show looks at three very well known infomercials from the 1990s, and examines what made them so good. Then a quick look at one of these infomercials attempt to build on its success. Spoiler alert: it didn't work.

Today we examine the three biggest names in the growing world of 1990s infomercials. As we examine each one, we look at the sales techniques they used, many of which are still in use today.

In a stroke of ingenious inspiration, the masterminds behind game show productions pondered: "Why not infuse the thrill of home shopping into our already electrifying shows?" Despite the myriad challenges, their audacious spirit prevailed, birthing three groundbreaking spectacles that revolutionized the airwaves. Brace yourself for a riveting exploration of "Home Shopping Game," "Bargain Hunters," and "Temptation: The New Sale Of The Century," where the excitement of scoring deals collides with the exhilaration of game show dynamics in an unparalleled fusion of entertainment and commerce! (or did it fail epically?)