Infomercials are television commercials that run as long as a typical television program (roughly thirty minutes or an hour). Infomercials, also known as paid programming, are normally shown outside of peak hours, such as late at night or early in the morning. The word ''infomercial'' is a portmanteau which is formed by combining "information" and "commercial". As in any other form of advertisement, the content is a commercial message designed to represent the viewpoints and serve the interest of the sponsor. Infomercials are often made to closely resemble actual television programming, usually talk shows, with minimal acknowledgement that the program is actually an advertisement. An infomercial is designed to solicit a direct response which is specific and Quantitative. The delivery of the response is direct between the viewer and the advertiser. Normally commercials do not solicit a direct response from the viewer, but instead try to brand their product in the market place. Infomercials may make use of flashy catchphrases, repetition of basic ideas, and the use of esteemed scientist-like characters or celebrities. Well known infomercial personalities include: Cher (entertainer), George Foreman (with the George Foreman Grill), Mike Levey, Charlie McGlade, Ron Popeil, Kevin Trudeau, Bill Guthy, Greg Renker, Jeff Tuller and Tony Robbins. Because of the nature of infomercials, Consumer rightss recommend careful investigation of the claims made on infomercials, including the company behind the product, before purchasing the featured products. ==History== Infomercials proliferated in the United States after 1984 when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) eliminated regulations, which were established in the 1950s and 1960s, on the commercial content of television. Much of their early development can be attributed to business partners Edward Valenti and Barry Beecher who developed the format to sell the ginsu knife. On occasion infomercials have been used for Political campaign. Most notably was that of former President of the United States candidate, Ross Perot, when he introduced his 1996 candidacy with running mate, Pat Choate, using an infomercial. ==Parodies of infomercials== *The comedian Leo Gallagher is famous for his sendup of infomercials with his signature sledgehammer routine, a presentation of the fruit and vegetable preparation tool called the "''Sledge-O-Matic'' ". *On television's ''The Simpsons'', faded Hollywood heartthrob Troy McClure regularly appeared on infomercials entitled ''"I Can't Believe They Invented It!"'' ==External links== * [http://www.fcc.gov/ Federal Communications Commission home page] * [http://www.naca.net/ National Association of Consumer Advocates home page] ==See also== * Commercials * Advertisement * Marketing Television commercials Television programs Promotion and marketing communications
=="Lecturing"?== Portions of this article seemed like it was lecturing the reader into how to approach infomercials. For example, "...So that when next you are shopping you will remember the advertisement and be more susceptible to buying their new product", seems inappropriate for an encylopedia entry. I'm still questioning the line that now says, "Because of the nature of infomericals, consumer advocates recommend carefully investigation of the claims made on infomercials, including the company behind the product, before purchasing the featured products", is appropriate. it's not nearly as bad as the other line since consumer advocates do recommend investigation of claims. I went ahead and added a link to the National Assoc. of Consumer Advocates. I'm not sure that was a good idea, but I guess it'll stay until someone decides it wasn't appropriate. User:Ashlux 22:59, 20 Nov 2004 (UTC)
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Words begining with Infomercial:
Infomercial
Infomercial
Infomercials
Infomercial
Infomercials are television commercials that run as long as a typical television program (roughly thirty minutes or an hour). Infomercials, also known as paid programming, are normally shown outside of peak hours, such as late at night or early in the morning. The word ''infomercial'' is a portmanteau which is formed by combining "information" and "commercial". As in any other form of advertisement, the content is a commercial message designed to represent the viewpoints and serve the interest of the sponsor. Infomercials are often made to closely resemble actual television programming, usually talk shows, with minimal acknowledgement that the program is actually an advertisement. An infomercial is designed to solicit a direct response which is specific and Quantitative. The delivery of the response is direct between the viewer and the advertiser. Normally commercials do not solicit a direct response from the viewer, but instead try to brand their product in the market place. Infomercials may make use of flashy catchphrases, repetition of basic ideas, and the use of esteemed scientist-like characters or celebrities. Well known infomercial personalities include: Cher (entertainer), George Foreman (with the George Foreman Grill), Mike Levey, Charlie McGlade, Ron Popeil, Kevin Trudeau, Bill Guthy, Greg Renker, Jeff Tuller and Tony Robbins. Because of the nature of infomercials, Consumer rightss recommend careful investigation of the claims made on infomercials, including the company behind the product, before purchasing the featured products. ==History== Infomercials proliferated in the United States after 1984 when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) eliminated regulations, which were established in the 1950s and 1960s, on the commercial content of television. Much of their early development can be attributed to business partners Edward Valenti and Barry Beecher who developed the format to sell the ginsu knife. On occasion infomercials have been used for Political campaign. Most notably was that of former President of the United States candidate, Ross Perot, when he introduced his 1996 candidacy with running mate, Pat Choate, using an infomercial. ==Parodies of infomercials== *The comedian Leo Gallagher is famous for his sendup of infomercials with his signature sledgehammer routine, a presentation of the fruit and vegetable preparation tool called the "''Sledge-O-Matic'' ". *On television's ''The Simpsons'', faded Hollywood heartthrob Troy McClure regularly appeared on infomercials entitled ''"I Can't Believe They Invented It!"'' ==External links== * [http://www.fcc.gov/ Federal Communications Commission home page] * [http://www.naca.net/ National Association of Consumer Advocates home page] ==See also== * Commercials * Advertisement * Marketing Television commercials Television programs Promotion and marketing communications
Infomercial
=="Lecturing"?== Portions of this article seemed like it was lecturing the reader into how to approach infomercials. For example, "...So that when next you are shopping you will remember the advertisement and be more susceptible to buying their new product", seems inappropriate for an encylopedia entry. I'm still questioning the line that now says, "Because of the nature of infomericals, consumer advocates recommend carefully investigation of the claims made on infomercials, including the company behind the product, before purchasing the featured products", is appropriate. it's not nearly as bad as the other line since consumer advocates do recommend investigation of claims. I went ahead and added a link to the National Assoc. of Consumer Advocates. I'm not sure that was a good idea, but I guess it'll stay until someone decides it wasn't appropriate. User:Ashlux 22:59, 20 Nov 2004 (UTC)
See other meanings of words starting from letter:
I
IA | IB | IC | ID | IE | IF | IG | IH | IJ | IK | IL | IM | IN | IO | IP | IR | IS | IT | IU | IW | IX | IY | IZ |Words begining with Infomercial:
Infomercial
Infomercial
Infomercials
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