INFOMERCIALS
The menus below show the wide range of product categories in which we have worked. Our view is that each product presented to us is unique and special in its own right and its marketing should utilize past experience when appropriate. Products are never forced into a rigid template.
(1988, Host: Robin Timm)
Direct response creator Rod Buscher designed this show to sell products from various experts. Dr. Sirah Vetesse, Dr. Harold Bloomfield, Roger Dawson, Leo Buscaglia (interviewed by Ram Dass) and advice from Mark Victor Hansen were featured in the pilot.
(1989, Host: Florence Henderson, Expert: Dr. John Kappas) Produced for Guthy-Renker Corporation, this show featured a product containing the accredited teachings of Dr. John Kappas.
The Winner’s Edge
(1989, Host: Joe Theismann, Expert: Dr. Denis Waitley)
Even with the help of endorsements by TV personality Art Linklettter, Olympic Gold Medal winner Bruce Jenner and
football star Joe Theismann, Denis’ product launch on TV didn’t have enough of a selling edge.
Maximum Performance
(1991, Host: Rob Weller, Expert: Brian Tracy)
Brian Tracy was one of the first motivational speakers to use the term, “personal power.” Brian’s techniques are used throughout the business world but they didn’t click with consumers. In the 2003 California Governor Recall Election, Brian threw his hat into the ring as one of the 134 candidates.
The Course of Champions
(1991, Host: Ross Schafer, Expert: Bill Harrison)
Testimonials by businessman Vidal Sassoon, baseball player George Brett and pro golfer Billy Casper reveal how they use visualization to help them achieve success.
(1999, Host: Nancy Nelson, Expert: Arlene Sonday)
Education consultant Arlene Sonday formalized her tools in education into an audiotape series parents could use to help their children in school.
(2006, Host: Jackie Zeman, Expert: Laura Bushnell)
Laura Bushnell’s experience as a life coach in business and personal relationships are shared in her Life Magick audio series.
The Making of 96 Souls
(2017)
This program features interviews with the cast members plus behind the scenes information. It was aired in each of the opening weekend’s twelve cities. It continues to be used to support the streaming platforms the film is on.
Color Steps
(1992, Host: Coleen Lopez, Demonstrator: Carol Smith)
The ability to transform your old, worn out shoes into a new pair was the promise delivered by Color Steps. While
other labor-intensive arts & crafts products like the Sweater Machine did well, Color Steps, even with renewed shoes, had no legs.
Frankie Avalon’s Zero Pain
(1992, Host: Dennis James, Expert: Frankie Avalon)
Zero Pain was a successful product on the Home Shopping Network before it became a National Media Corporation project. At the same time, National Media took on another pain relief product that was produced under the Amazing Discoveries banner. Zero Pain was designed as a testimonial-driven show while the Amazing Discoveries competitor show utilized their effective, hyped-up, live audience format with testimonials and paid sports figures brought on as guests. Zero Pain was the more successful approach with consumers.
Hoover Dirt Finder
(1996, Host: Maddy Press, Demonstrator: Joe Fowler)
This product featured new technology developed by The Hoover Company. When the unseen, embedded dirt is removed from your carpet the Dirt Finder’s green light comes on. The infomercial campaign created an immediate strong response in retail orders and product sell through.
Sobakawa Pillow
(1997, Host: Jennilee Harrison, Expert: Kazu Watanabe)
The client, Kent & Spiegel Direct, had so little confidence in the SJPL-delivered show they funded a rival show for the exact same product. After both shows tested, the SJPL show went on to generate over $80 million in sales and the rival show was never heard of again. Unfortunately, poor company management eventually piloted Kent & Spiegel into bankruptcy. Former Kent & Spiegel owners continue to take credit for the Sobakawa success to this day.
Wagner Power Roller
(1997, Host: Tricia Eve, Demonstrator: Joe Fowler)
The Wagner Power Roller followed in the footsteps of the very successful Paint Stick infomercial. But the Power Roller was a follower, not a leader. Since the Paint Stick already achieved deep retail saturation, the show could not make its way into an already penetrated market.
The Cleaning Machine by Koblenz
(1998, Host: Nancy Nelson, Demonstrator: Jan Muller)
Media company American Television Time (now bankrupt) oversaw the first infomercial for this floorcare product
but the results didn’t clean up. A new show was produced by SJPL directly for the manufacturer, Koblenz, and they enjoyed the fruits of a profitable infomercial for over several years.
Style It! For Walls
(1999, Host: Maddy Press, Demonstrator: Joe Fowler)
Textured paint rollers had been a hit on TV two years earlier, but it turned out it was too soon to offer a similar product to consumers again.
Style It! For Cabinets & Doors
(1999, Host: Maddy Press, Demonstrator: Joe Fowler)
This was the sister product for Style It! For Walls but like its sibling show, it was not embraced by consumers.
ASTA 3000
(1999, Host/Demonstrator: Joe Fowler)
Almost every long form commercial featuring automotive oil and gas additive products have had their claims challenged by the FTC. ASTA 3000 was a legitimate attempt to market a decent oil additive which was not successful with U.S. customers.
Watanabe Pillow
(2012, Host: Darla Haun, Expert: Kazu Watanabe)
The original Sobakawa Pillow (1997) used buckwheat husks as fill material, which sometimes had issues if not properly prepared. Kazu Watanabe found a pillow that delivered similar benefits using a more resistant plastic filler. Plus, the filler allowed the pillow to be cleaned in a washing machine and dryer. It was only a break-even show in the U.S.
Acne-Statin
(1990, Host: Gloria Loring, Expert: Dr. Atida Karr)
The first long form success on TV featuring an acne product.
Run-Free & Worry-Free Pantyhose
(1992, Host: Melody Rogers, Demonstrator: Fred Holiday)
This show was produced after a long run of TV Products’ successful two-minute direct response campaign for their Run-Free Pantyhose. Plus, there were supplier problems.
Flawless Skincare
(1998, Host: Darla Haun, Expert: Jenilee Harrison)
This revision boosted sales of an already existing weak show.
Cellucare
(2004, Host: Paige Green, Expert: Lisa Frantz)
This was an impressive wrinkle cream that did not connect with consumers.
Investment World (No. 81-S)
(1987-1989, Hosts: Mario Machado, Michelle Roth, Ron Tank)
Created by direct response entrepreneur Rod Buscher at Financial Marketing Services (FMS) in Santa Monica, California. Rod had been involved in the formation of Financial News Network (FNN), the first national cable network (now CNBC) exclusively dedicated to business and financial news. Rod left FNN, started his own advertising agency and provided services to various financial clients. Over 60 episodes were written and produced. The theme music was composed by Jonathan Wolff, who would later go on to compose many television themes including “Seinfeld.”
Investment World (No. 133)
(1987-1989, Hosts: Mario Machado, Michelle Roth, Ron Tank)
Created by direct response entrepreneur Rod Buscher at Financial Marketing Services (FMS) in Santa Monica, California. Rod had been involved in the formation of Financial News Network (FNN), the first national cable network (now CNBC) exclusively dedicated to business and financial news. Rod left FNN, started his own advertising agency and provided services to various financial clients. Over 60 episodes were written and produced.
Think & Grow Rich
(1987, Host: Mario Machado)
Produced for Bill Guthy’s Cassette Productions, Unlimited, this production was a challenge — the program creator was a dead motivational speaker. Documentary film techniques for building story structure and capturing credible, unrehearsed testimonials were combined with direct response.
Think & Grow Rich II
(1988, Host: Fran Tarkenton)
A revised show with National Football League All-Pro Quarterback Fran Tarkenton doing the wrap-arounds, this modest success went on to gross almost $10 million and helped launch Guthy-Renker Corporation.
The Trick To Money Is Having Some
(1997, Host/Expert: Stuart Wilde)
British motivational speaker Stuart Wilde didn’t quite click with American television audiences in his infomercial, produced for Quantum Marketing International and Guthy-Renker Corporation.
Bill’s Internet Yellow Pages
(1997, Host: Tibor Feldman)
Before the proliferation of easy-to-do web pages, this was one of the first attempts to offer the average business person an easy way to have a presence on the World Wide Web.
Fortune Finders: Dial Your Fortune
(1990, Host: Bob Braun, Guest Expert: Alan Mills)
In the 1990s, phone numbers dedicated to the “900” prefix were a way for companies to charge consumers for their services. Bob Braun presented this business opportunity show for Guthy-Renker Corporation. It was an attempt to introduce the basics of the 900-number phone industry to potential entrepreneurs.
Walk Away The Pounds – Express
(2003, Host: Jackie Zeman, Expert: Leslie Sansone)
Leslie adds another walk booster during her walking routines – the Stretchie.
Trialtir’s Evolution Bike
(1998, Host: Darla Haun, Demonstrator: Tony Little)
This effort to “save” an already failed show finally did deliver some moderate sales to the company marketing the product.
Power Gym
(1998, Host: Jenilee Harrison, Demonstrator: David Turpin)
The Power Gym, a multi-purpose workout bench, was a bit too complicated for consumers to find its way into their homes.
Ultimate Lean Routine
(1999, Host: Darla Haun, Demonstrator: Greg Issacs)
Hollywood fitness expert Greg Issacs shows host Darla Haun his proven techniques that can benefit anyone wanting to lose weight. A solid success, the show was subsequently re-shot. Only the original show, produced by SJPL, was successful.
Walk Away The Pounds
(2001, Host: Jackie Zeman, Expert: Leslie Sansone)
Leslie Sansone was one of the first fitness products to be featured on the QVC shopping channel shortly after its launch. After the failure of a Guthy-Renker produced show in the late 1990s, Leslie teamed up with GT Merchandising & Licensing Corp. This was the first of four highly successful shows produced with Leslie.
Walk Away the Pounds for the Abs
(2002, Host: Jackie Zeman, Expert: Leslie Sansone)
Leslie adds a walk booster for the upper body and another success.
Nutrisystem®
(2004, Host/Expert: Cathy Cassidy)
One of the first shows produced for GT Merchandising & Licensing Corp. after their acquisition by Wall Street firm, Quadrangle, it suffered from in-house misdirection.
Richard Simmons’ Blast Off The Pounds
(2003, Host/Expert: Richard Simmons)
After an impressive run of products on TV, this was Richard’s last successful long form program.
(1994, Host/Demonstrator: Dave Dornbush)
The Tailored Life Change (TLC) was a bold but overly thought-out system for weight loss. Produced for American Harvest, the product was too overwhelming for TV buyers. It had powdered supplements, a workbook (as thick as the Gutenberg Bible ), and a new workout machine; the Fast Track. Added to this was the fact that the program’s host, though charismatic, was still a big guy (weight-wise). There was one obvious star in this overly-stuffed offering; the Fast Track. Even though it was initially proposed to do a show just on the Fast Track, American Harvest chose to go after the “bigger picture.” Given that, the plan was always to produce a show just on the machine if TLC didn’t work with consumers, which is what eventually happened to turn this failed attempt around.
Slim, Shape & Sculpt
(2004, Host: Jackie Zeman, Expert: Leslie Sansone)
Leslie Sansone was packaged with a product from a previously unsuccessful campaign – an inclined ramp that
was in competition to a similar product also marketed by GT Merchandising. While the show performed as a solid double, it never reached the heights of Leslie’s previous efforts.
The Hi-Rise Multi-Cooker
(1990, Host/Demonstrator: Lester Morris)
Produced for now-defunct Quantum Marketing International, the Multi-Cooker was a low-tech steamer that cooked several different levels of food at once. A similar concept was launched in 2000 (Turbo Cooker) with great success.
Jet-Stream Oven
(1990, Host/Demonstrator: Dave Dornbush)
This was a milestone show that brought the concept of “oven quality food, microwave fast” to the world. It was also the first infomercial announcing, “Set it and forget it technology.” The president of the company, the late Dave Dornbush, did a great job demonstrating an innovative product at a TV price of over $229. Up until then, products sold on television were typically discounted in retail, resulting in an erosion of TV sales. Dave was very open to the concept of keeping the TV and retail pricing in parity, resulting in a long, successful campaign selling over one million units.
Snackmaster Dehydrator
(1990, Host/Demonstrator: Dave Dornbush)
A high quality dehydrator offered at too high a price held this show back from becoming a winner.
Hamilton Beach Power Mixer
(1991, Host/Demonstrator: Larry Martony)
With too many $39 blenders in retail, trying to get consumers to spend over $149 for a more powerful blender didn’t go over well.
The Food Robot
(1992, Host/Demonstrator: Wally Nash)
This high-tech food processor that could also juice fruits and vegetables was developed by one of the engineers behind the original Cuisinart.
Deni Freshlock TurboSeal
(1992, Host: Bob Callahan, Demonstrator: Cathy Mitchell)
A good demonstration helped land QVC-centric Deni their only infomercial success.
Graham Kerr and the Oster Kitchen Center
(1992, Host/Demonstrator: Graham Kerr)
Graham Kerr, one of the food world’s recipe masters, shows how to prepare his Mini-Max meals with Sunbeam-Oster’s multipurpose Kitchen Center.
Jet-Stream Oven® 3000T
(1992, Host/Demonstrator: Dave Dornbush)
A sequel show to 1990’s Jet-Stream Oven®, this model included a digital timer and even more recipes.
Microcrisp
(1993, Host: John Darin, Demonstrator: Cathy Mitchell)
After the product was unsuccessfully launched in Southern California grocery stores (supported by traditional 30 and 60-second TV spots), Kent & Spiegel Direct was approached to market Microcrisp® in a 30-minute format, where the product’s story could be told properly. It became Kent & Spiegel’s biggest success up to that point, thanks to what appeared to be a simple but elegant product demo by Cathy Mitchell. The show also convinced consumers that this product could deliver what they had been wanting for years; browned, cooked food from a microwave oven.
(1993, Host/Demonstrator: Carol Duvall)
A nifty, “Snackmaster-type” dessert and sandwich maker that could have sold well in the $39.95 to $49.95 price category. Unfortunately, because of a high manufacturing costs Black & Decker tried selling it at $79.95 with no bonus items. This is the final offline edit of the show before it was onlined and on-screen graphics added.
The Kitchen Champ
(1994, Host/Demonstrator: Joe Fowler)
All-in-one food processor-type products have always been a tough sell on infomercials. The kitchen Champ did generate sales for USA Direct, formerly a TV direct response arm of catalogue company Fingerhut. But without the product being manufactured at a lower overseas cost as planned, this Champ retired early in what promised to be a long career.
Microcrisp Plus
(1994, Host: John Darin, Demonstrator: Cathy Mitchell)
A sequel to the 1993 original show featuring perforated Microcrisp, for even better cooking.
Pasta Express X500
(1995, Host: Maddy Press, Demonstrator: Joe Fowler)
The pasta wave (propelled mainly by Ron Ropeil’s earlier pasta maker infomercial) had already passed. But appliance manufacturer Creative still decided to market their Pasta Express X500 via TV.
Grill Express
(1995, Host: Maddy Press, Demonstrator: Joe Fowler)
Before the George Foreman Grill took off, consumers were impressed with the Grill Express. This appliance could grill almost any fresh food in under 4 minutes. The very first Foreman Grill infomercial was not successful. When that show was remade and the price point lowered below $100, it took off and left the $139 Grill Express in a distant second place.
MicroBuddy
(1995, Host: John Darin, Demonstrator: Wayne Harvey)
Food steamers had been attempted several unsuccessful times in infomercials, but it finally worked with this microwave-powered steamer that cooked food in one of the healthiest ways possible.
Kitchenmate Chopper
(1995, Host: Bob Circosta, Demonstrator: Paula Greg)
The Kitchenmate Chopper was produced after successful 2- minute chopper spots had a good run in the United States. This show did well in the international marketplace.
MicroBuddy II
(1995, Host: Bob Bowersox, Demonstrator: Wayne Harvey)
A sequel the MicroBuddy infomercial, shot live at the QVC home shopping channel.
The Wonder Cooker
(1996, Host: Maddy Press, Demonstrator: Joe Fowler)
Could consumers be convinced that a metal lid with eight holes would do so much for their stovetop cooking that they would pay $59.95 to own one? Some consumers did order, but the product’s holder of its U.S. rights felt more should have sold, and moved on to try other marketing avenues. Of all the efforts tried to date, this infomercial moved the most product.
Foodsaver Deluxe
(1996, Host: Nancy Nelson, Demonstrator: Jan Muller)
The very first Foodsaver infomercial actually aired in 1987. The parent company, Nationwide Marketing, eventually went bankrupt and a new company, Tilia, Inc., emerged and produced their own infomercial. That show was not successful. SJPL was contracted to produce their second, the Foodsaver Deluxe. This was the first in what would become one of the most successful, post-1984 infomercial houseware product series and helped launch Tilia’s rise to corporate success.
Freshsaver Plus
(1996, Host: Nancy Nelson, Demonstrator: Jan Muller)
The second show produced for Tilia, this unit was a handheld vacuum packager.
Super Chef Pro Knives
(1998, Host: Nancy Nelson, Demonstrator: Arnold Morris)
The great knife demonstrator, Arnold Morris, proves he’s still the best as he shows host Nancy Nelson his latest favorite set of knives.
Ed McMahon’s Miracle Fryer
(1998, Host: Nancy Nelson, Demonstrator: Ed McMahon)
Ed McMahon’s first long form commercial was unfortunately for a weak product. The Miracle Fryer could not produce sizzling sales with consumers.
Handy Chef
(1998, Host: Maddy Press, Demonstrator: Joe Fowler)
In a world dominated by high tech electrical appliances, this compact, hand-operated mini food processor also found sales on TV.
Foodsaver Compact II
(1998, Host: Nancy Nelson, Demonstrator: Jan Muller)
The third Foodsaver show produced for Tilia, this is the commercial that sent Foodsaver sales into the stratosphere. The manufacturing issues that had plagued Tilia with the Foodsaver Deluxe and the Freshsaver Plus were under control. Plus, they now had easy entry into retail thanks to the infomercial campaign. Retail and TV sales of Foodsavers soared.
Turbo Cooker
(2000, Host: Joe Fowler, Demonstrator: Cathy Mitchell)
The first show produced for GT Merchandising & Licensing Corp. (aka Goodtimes Entertainment), the Turbo Cooker was their first housewares infomercial and a big home run. Developed by Randall Cornfeld (Chef Randall) this stovetop cooking system permitted the user to “steam-fry” food, giving you quickly prepared, healthy food.
Foodsaver Vac 500
(2000, Host: Nancy Nelson, Demonstrator: Jan Muller)
A slimmed down, more affordable vacuum packager, this show helped keep the Foodsaver in the minds of consumers and further solidified a new category in retail – vacuum packagers.
ChefMaker
(2001, Host: Darla Haun, Demonstrator: Larry Anderson)
Even though SJPL went on record not in favor of producing an infomercial for this product, the client decided to still proceed with the show. The ChefMaker was too high priced an appliance that performed the same tasks as less expensive competitors already in the marketplace.
Turbo Cooker Plus
(2002, Host Joe Fowler, Demonstrator: Cathy Mitchell)
The next generation Turbo Cooker featured a removable digital timer. This was the first long form commercial shot, edited and mastered in 1080i high-definition video.
Foodsaver Vac 800
(2002, Host: Nancy Nelson, Demonstrator: Jan Muller)
A further innovation to the Foodsaver line, this model added more features and convenience. This was the last Foodsaver show produced for Tilia by SJPL. Since then, Tilia was purchased for over $175 million and is now a part of the company, Jarden. The year after Tilia/Jarden stopped working with SJPL and airing its infomercials, Foodsaver sales decreased for the first time ever – an over $10 million decrease (see Page 28 of Jarden’s March 31, 2005 Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities And Exchange Commission).
Nu-Wave Oven
(2002, Host: Marla Simone, Demonstrator: Joe Fowler)
Hot air countertop ovens had a brief resurgence on TV in 2001. Unfortunately, this show’s product offer was not as strong as a later version that was successful.
Turbo Grill
(2004, Host: Joe Fowler, Demonstrator: Cathy Mitchell)
Despite a good demonstration, this $79 non-electric product was introduced into a world full of $19.95 George Foreman electric grills. The results were not surprising.
GT XPress 101
(2004, Host: Joe Farago, Demonstrator: Cathy Mitchell)
Cathy Mitchell introduced TV audiences to the successful Snackmaster sandwich maker in the late 1980s. She took that product even further with the XPress 101.
Micro Grill
(2006, Host: Forbes Riley, Demonstrator: Jan Muller)
The clever design of a metal enclosure that converts microwave energy into thermal energy wasn’t enough to make this product a winner.
XPress Redi Set Go
(2009, Host: Joe Farago, Demonstrator: Cathy Mitchell)
The sequel product to 2004’s GT XPress 101 continued to produce strong sales.
XPress Platinum
(2012, Host: Aaron Priceman, Demonstrator: Cathy Mitchell)
After fitness marketer Gaia acquired the assets of the original marketer of the GT XPress 101 and the Xpress Redi, Set Go, they abandoned the product after its initial test produced lower sales that the predecessors.
