Comic Strip Advertising Really Works

We all seek ways to get our messages out to attract customers, readers and some good ol' attention. Advertising flyers, newspaper/magazine ads, radio and TV commercials, web site banner ads, etc. overwhelm us. But one key element has been forgotten: comic strips.
Originally an American invention, this simple yet colorful medium combines pictures with text to tell a story. The very first comic books were actually bound reprints from newspaper "funnies," and sold for 5-10 cents each. Through the 1940s, these low-priced comic books sold millions per month to an eager mainstream kid-based audience. After a slump in the 1950s, fueled by Congressional investigations into comics as "subversive elements," comic books resurged in the 1960s, with 12 cent editions riding high on the popularity of the Batman TV show as well as Marvel Comics' new and unique reality-based presentations.
As comics grew in popularity during the 1960s, they fueled a "comics fandom" full of artistic wannabes desiring to draw superhero comics for the established comic companies. To push their careers, amateur fan comic books were published by the thousands. But their scope was limited, and they catered to the science fiction/superhero genre. So if a comics artists couldn't get into the industry, there was little else he/she could -- or would -- do. Few of these folks probably considered marketing their talents in comic strip advertising for local consumption.
But issue prices skyrocketed as distribution outlets shrank, and the comic book vanished as a prolific mainstream industry, devolving to the much smaller cult following base.
As high school paper cartoonist, I was "forced" to draw political cartoons instead of the entertainment comics I wanted to do. And as the years went by, my interest in entertainment comics waned, preferring instead to do "local consumption, relevant" features my peers could relate to. There, I achieved success -- and far better results than most industry professionals.
So I still believe in the "comic book."
Today, comics are one of the most under-used mediums in communication. With low cost and ease of production, the comic strip/book ranks as one of our potentially greatest mass communication devices ever. And issues can be printed for as little as 10 cents each, assuming you publish over 100,000 copies. Your local newspaper usually has a web-press, capable of printing 8-16 page full-color newsprint issues.
Consider these cartoon campaign accomplishments:
1) A political cartoon campaign featured single panel political cartoons, and was produced in support of a small city police department in trouble with the Federal EPA. The cartoons inspired Congressmen and Senators -- right up to Sen. Adlai Stevenson III -- to come to the police department's defense, and the issue was successfully resolved. An $18,800 fine was canceled.
2) A cartoon series utilized newspaper comic strips to sell Toyotas at a local dealership. The cartoons grew into billboards, radio and TV commercials, generating record customer turnouts and a coveted ad award for "Best Newspaper Ad Campaign".
3) A local politician won election to a county board seat with campaign literature featuring a political cartoon as its cover.
4) A published comic booklet campaign helped the city of Loves Park, Illinois in efforts to attract a GM Saturn assembly plant. The booklet's cover was featured on the front page of the Detroit Free Press business section, something money can't buy. A second full color edition was commissioned, and Illinois Governor Jim Thompson exchanged autographed copies with GM Chairman Roger Smith. A grateful Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs granted the city some $950,000 in economic development money, and DCCA Director Michael Wolfer trumpeted the cartoon booklet in a USA TODAY article 4 years later.
5) Another cartoon campaign featured poster-sized cartoon placards for a group working in support of Donald Trump's efforts to diminish jet plane noise over Palm Beach, Florida. Hundreds of people waved these placards at a rally, and it appears jets have since gotten quieter!
6) Upon its initial Illinois release, the 8-page anti-gang Gangbuster comic booklet was greeted with high enthusiasm, and a local newspaper story declared Gangbuster as "more popular than (Chicago Bears players) Walter Peyton and the Fridge combined", when an actual costumed hero appeared at a local school assembly. The program became a spirited anti-gang pep rally, and charged-up children were clamoring for autographs a full half hour after it ended. Things got so quiet the city actually dropped its $250,000 anti-gang budget.
7) The "New Millennium" Gangbuster has been revitalized with considerable assistance from the Boynton Beach, FL Police Department, and is currently being distributed by the BBPD through community centers, events, restaurants and a growing list of outlets. Major area newspapers, television and radio stations have all publicized the new Gangbuster, and kids and parents alike are requesting copies by the dozens.
The above cartoon efforts not only helped solve problems, they created new opportunities by energizing people to get involved, work together and take actions. They engendered new hope and creativity toward solutions. And they successfully communicated that which needed to be said. Whether children, politicians or customers were targeted, all groups responded. Powerfully.
Why? Comics got everyone's attention. So the next time you're seeking a sure-fire way to advertise, promote or educate.....think "comics." Your local community is full of younger, "anime-type" artists looking for outlets. And remember one key point: the story is equally as important as the art. Artists -- and writers -- can be found on Craigslist.

Using Kids Cartoon TShirts

One cool way to enjoy childrens cartoon t shirts is for themed parties. Very nearly every parent wants to add in something in the birthday bash of their kid that is new from anything that has been done. They hunt for a means to make the party individualistic and terrific not only for their offspring but also for the children who come.
One method to render a tremendous bash is to create the entire occasion surrounding a theme. The theme might be a desired character on a T.V. show, a Disney picture, or another cartoon character that is popular. A themed get-together can be very economical for a cash conscious family and plus leave money to the side for a nice favor for each attendee.
Deciding on the subject is normally the most tricky piece of the party. As a rule asking a child to choose 2 or 3 of their much loved characters will offer a parent enough freedom to find the most affordable theme stuff. In a lot of instances if one begins prematurely enough there will be very few bits and pieces to get right before the celebration.
Each cartoon character is distinctive by a certain primary color in their costume. By incorporating this color in the decorations and bday cake a person can save funds on buying accessories that have the cartoon character's image on them. How about, bright blue tableware used with a Dora the Explorer theme won't need Dora to be featured on the tablewear to make the theme effective.
The ideal present for kids at a birthday party or other occasion are kids cartoon tshirts. By making each child to wear their cartoon t shirt prior to the event it is fantastically simple to have activities that may require washing after the bash. After the gathering the children can take their t shirt back home in reminiscence of the bash. Or the tshirts can be stored and used for another party by the individual who has organized the theme celebration.
When childrens cartoon tshirts are arranged it shows that there was consideration put into the bash and every person going. When one is on a firm budget they can have the kids cartoon t shirts worn only by the birthday kid and the matching primary colors given to the attendees. This lets every attendee to hang on to a special souvenir of the occasion.
An additional use for childrens cartoon t shirts is to use for crowd identifiers. If a party of children are visiting a theme park, shop, or other place it is especially easy to notice them when they are wearing a brightly colored tshirt. The children are not required to hold hands or keep really near but can nonetheless be easily seen when desired. This procedure works specially well when children are on a school outing or with many grown ups who are supervising a substantial party. It can be really easy to lose sight of a youngster at some point in a day out and with the t shirts on this becomes very not likely.
Kids cartoon tshirts can be used to bring groups of kids all together in a cohesive manner. When all of the children on a squad or in a grouping are dressed in corresponding tshirts that have the image of the groups preferred cartoon characters on them it can invigorate the group and make them work more intently as a team.
When t shirts are worn for special activities a child will recollect the activity or event for many years. Frequently in adulthood when they see a cartoon icon they will recall their t shirt and the cheerful memories that it brings. Some kids receive a kids cartoon t shirt for every occasion that happens as they are growing up and by the time they are mature have an enormous set of t shirts with imagery of their beloved cartoon characters as they were growing.
The t shirts make a fabulous present for people who must obtain numerous gifts for relatives at the same time. The childrens cartoon t shirts are inexpensive and there are a lot of various designs to pick from. A person can get every young person a t shirt that represents their much loved cartoon character.
There are some tshirts that have an added area below the image where a name can be embossed. This personalizes the t-shirt and makes the child feel a special bond to both the giver of the gift and the character they have picked for their t-shirt.
The tshirts are brilliant for kids who may perhaps be on an outing and require something easy to slip on when they are in the sunny weather. The t shirts hold up well to rigorous wear and do not lose color. They provide the wearer with continuous hours of delight. The pigment in the t-shirts doesn't run when the shirt gets damp so they are just the thing for wearing over a swimming suit to guard the skin from sunburn.
In some circumstances people select quite a few of a kids much loved cartoon t-shirt and create pillows and other decorations for their bedrooms. The t shirts are soft enough to put together them a great pillow cover.