Johnny Maraca's Rock& Roll Riot radio show

Taking a journey through 60 years of rocking' rhythm & blues

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Getting through a pandemic via Epsom, New Hampshire

Getting through a pandemic via Epsom, New Hampshire

The “About Us” page on the Town of Epsom site says:

“Established in 1727, Epsom offers a rural feel with its farm lands and warm community feeling. The Town of Epsom is six miles long, and four and one half miles broad.”

That’s Little Suncook River in Epsom, NH.

And in the year 2020, when Covid has killed many livelihoods, businesses, social activities, baseball leagues, choirs (Mom…

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Welcome to Wasaga Beach! But if you’re from out of town, piss off!

Welcome to Wasaga Beach! But if you’re from out of town, piss off!

This is the sign that greets visitors to Wasaga Beach. Some kind of weird sparkly logo the town paid money for and hey, I’ll let that slide.

But this year, what it should say is, “If you are from the Toronto area or Barrie, turn around and go home.”

So, some history.

Last summer high water levels reduced the actual beach…owned by the provincial park…to maybe 10 feet of space for your…

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Why don't people get the risks of Covid-19?

Why don’t people get the risks of Covid-19?

I grew up in Toronto but the mass gathering at Trinity-Bellwoods Park got me thinking…

Trinity Bellwoods sounds like a bitchy character on a Netflix high school drama.

Born rich, privileged, clueless. Which reminds me, I’m a few episodes away from the conclusion of Outer Banks (really good) but….

Those park-loving (mostly) young folk. The dozens I’ve seen recently at Wasaga Beach,…

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Hope and the "new normal"

Hope and the “new normal”

“We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.”

A prediction made in 1962 by Decca Records about a band that went on to do very well with guitar music. Young lads from Liverpool. John Lennon on rhythm guitar, George Harrison on lead guitar, Paul McCartney on electric bass guitar and Ringo Starr behind the drum kit.

Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM in 1943 so nailed it when he…

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Saluting Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo

Saluting Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo

Back in the early ‘80s, after high school and prior to college, I had a summer job. Photocopying documents for a legal battle between the Newfoundland government and an oil refinery. The details are not relevant to this blog thought to this day I recall one of the participants was Homer White.

Homer likely left this world many years ago.

One of my fellow photocopiers was a fellow named Doug…

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A Roxodus for none of us

A Roxodus for none of us

On July 2nd, the day before Roxodus was officially cancelled due to soggy conditions…people came out of the woodwork to counter that excuse and said the field was bone dry…I was still considering the purchase of a single-day ticket on the Thursday night to see this lady.

What’cha do to my body?

Back in the fall of 1983, I interview Lee Aaron for my college newspaper. Got to know her. A sweet…

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Life begins at 40, or 50 or...

Life begins at 40, or 50 or…

The magazine was called “50 Plus.”

For active seniors.

Published in the mid to late ’80s by the man who gave me my first job in journalism, George Benninger.

I was hired to write for George’s main venture, Insight on Collectibles. Based in Durham, Ontario and devoted to collector plates, Hummel and Royal Doulton figurines and wildlife art prints.

After a year or so I became the editor. I was in…

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2 keys to great radio ads: research and analysis

2 keys to great radio ads: research and analysis

Truth in advertising from the movie, “Crazy People.”

When a writer spends little or no time on research and analysis, your radio campaign will suffer.

You deserve better.

They need to understand your products, services and competitive advantages.

Those principles apply to all forms of internet marketing. Let’s focus on radio for now.

The Wrong Way

The process begins when the…

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Radio ad opening lines that get ignored, and what to do instead

Radio ad opening lines that get ignored, and what to do instead

The first sentence of your radio ad is crucial to the success of the spot and the campaign.

Do it right and the listener is intrigued. They want to hear more.

Do it wrong and kiss ’em goodbye!

The problem is, so many advertisers and reps think of radio spots as announcements. Tell them, inform them and wow them.

THE WRONG APPROACH

I’ve written hundreds of scripts promoting…

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Harness the power Email Marketing

Harness the power Email Marketing

One of the most effective ways of attracting customers and keeping them happy is through Email Marketing.

You may have seen a Hubspot certification on the right side of my page. I’ve learned the ways of pitching and wooing…in terms of online sales. I’m still working on those elements when it comes to romancing the ladies. Aren’t we all?

Sending your basic sales messages will result in them…

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"I really want my radio ad to stand out!"

“I really want my radio ad to stand out!”

Your message can stand out, even if it’s one of three, four or more in a cluster.

Let’s start with the wrong way to get attention.

I shall whisk you back to the early ’90s when young John was asked to write spots for a furniture warehouse. One with “the best prices…amazing deals,” and every week a new sale, blowout or clearance event.

This was before email. You phoned the client to get copy.…

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Canada is not soft. Our hearts are stronger than most.

Canada is not soft. Our hearts are stronger than most.

When I was 9 years old and living in the (then) Toronto suburb of Scarborough I was chowing down on Chinese food with my parents, and an East Indian family.

Our host was a man named Joe Pereira.

Joe and my Dad, Joseph O’Mara, became friends after being coworkers at a Scarborough insurance company.

I didn’t think much about it at the time but now I’m wondering if the Caucasian managers, adjusters…

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Willy Wonka and Captain Picard rage against...everything!

Willy Wonka and Captain Picard rage against…everything!

What do Jean-Luc Picard, Willy Wonka, the Dos Equis guy, Ned Stark and Chris Rock have in common?

Their images are used in memes to underscore feelings of shock, outrage, sarcasm or condescension, often out of context.

Chris Rock is one of my favourite comedians. He’s sharp. Somehow I don’t think he gives a hoot about Baby It’s Cold Outside, yet his photo has been meme’d to suggest Rock thinks…

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Don't kill your radio campaign with "what the client wants"

Don’t kill your radio campaign with “what the client wants”

I started my radio copywriting career in 1989 and once overheard two reps talking about “What the client wants.”

“I don’t care if all he does for 30 seconds is say his name over and over,” the sales rep said, “as long as he pays his bill.”

As a business person you may be thinking, “I knew it! They just wanted my money and didn’t care about getting more customers through my door. Son of a…”

THAT…

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Long live the public library!

Long live the public library!

“Who goes to libraries anymore?”

That question was posted on a Wasaga Beach news and commentary Facebook page,  adding to a long thread about the downtown plan and a proposed new location for our library.

The current one (pictured above) is tiny. Not “so small you have to go outside to change your mind” but cramped. The aisles are narrow and you’re constantly having to say “excuse me” or turning…

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Wasted words in a radio ad: "Mention this ad and save..."

Wasted words in a radio ad: “Mention this ad and save…”

  In a 30-second radio commercial, you only have 75 to 85 words to persuade listeners that your store is worth visiting, or merely to plant an idea in their head for future reference.

Never, ever include what Dan O’Day calls a radio coupon.

“Mention this ad and save 10% off your purchase,” or “Say you heard this message on (radio station) and receive a free gift.”

Ooh. A free gift! Cancel that…

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Tay Tay and the the lost power of persuasion

Tay Tay and the the lost power of persuasion

I’m getting carpal tunnel from the frequent clicking of the “hide” button on Facebook posts and scrolling past offensive memes and links from questionable sources.

Yes, I’ve composed political posts to express my frustration that the other side doesn’t get it and holy hell, if they only read my linked article they’ll see the light!

No. They won’t.

And, on the flip side, no, I won’t click on such…

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