Take me away to the Land of Lagniappe

Wow, did you spot this beauty last weekend in the Houston Chronicle? They say any ad has 2 seconds to get your attention. Well this one had me at hello. The photo introduces us to the Lauberge du lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, LA. The designers kept my interest with the headline: Rooms from $149. Extra helping of luxury included. But the clincher came in the body copy that promises golf, shopping and an escape to another world. Not being from Louisiana I had to check the definition for Lagniappe-- a little something extra you get when you make a purchase from a merchant in that part of the country. It all makes you want to call or visit their website to book a reservation.

Sarah Palin hockey moms look-a-likes

Signal, benefit, proof. Three elements that make print and online ads more effective.

Signal: Sarah Palin's name in the headline and her full color likeness make you stop and look at this newspaper ad in the Oklahoma City Oklahoman.

Benefit: Sarah's big smile promises a fun time for Hockey Moms Night with the Blazers.

Proof: for $10 you're promised the fun of a hockey game and intermission entertainment of Sarah Palin look-a-likes, even if Sarah was busy stumping in Pennsylvania.