I came across this article by Gregory A. Patterson in my local Minneapolis Star & Tribune newspaper. The article caught my eye because my wife and I recently signed on with Marvin Windows to install new windows in our home. I couldn’t be happier with the decision now that I see Marvin has transformed their marketing to take advantage of current web marketing trends with their new web video advertising campaign.

“Warroad-based Marvin sells fiberglass through its Integrity Windows & Doors unit, which cut its print advertising budget to pay for the Web campaign.

“We reallocated communications efforts toward media that we knew builders and contractors were using much more frequently,” said Mary Haugh, vice president and account director for Martin/Williams Advertising, the Minneapolis firm that created the campaign.

The Web video ads feature two working-class guys — “Carl and Stu” — who perform what can comically be called industrial tests; there’s nothing remotely scientific about them.”

Another example of a company cutting print and display advertising and transitioning those funds to a web medium that has a better chance of surviving and spreading.

The ads are classic! I watched all of them. They’re creative, simple, and humorous. Plus, the site they’re hosted on loads them and “Carl and Stu” quickly which I like when promoting products via video. They’ve also incorporated a way to share the videos with friends which I think could really help this effort spread.

Check Carl and Stu out if you get a minute. I hope the windows are as good when they’re installed!


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