Article by John Patkin –
Using a few AI tools, some free and some trial versions, I created a 30-second radio commercial reminiscent of my early days working as a copywriter at 5CS in Port Pirie[1].
Back in 1988, one of the toughest parts of the job was writing and producing dozens of new ads for Monday morning on Friday afternoon. It was like herding cats to get client approval and motivating talent to work together to voice straight reads and skits while adding background music and sound effects to fit into unique 30-second blocks.
Three decades later, if we were lucky enough to have a Friday afternoon rush, all that work could be done with a variety of apps costing less than a cup of Melbourne coffee. But there’s a caveat. Relying on these tools would break our commitment to more variety. We can, however, use AI for pitches, proposals, and graphic design.
Using the calendar or a business’s website, you can quickly create a 30-second commercial and promotional package that is tailor-made for your client.
Back in the 1980s, 5CS was in a transportable next to the Port Pirie harbour. We used to joke that the needle would jump if a big ship came in too hard. 5CS was also in the heart of the Friendly City at 149 Ellen Street. Our sales team had quick and easy access to a few dozen businesses that split their advertising budget with the local newspaper, the Recorder, and our rivals, 5AU.
If our sales team had AI tools back then, they would have been able to put together presentations without the help of other staffers and make adjustments on the spot with their clients. There is a little bit of magic when a salesperson walks into a store and plays a professionally-mixed ad at the cash register.
The dialogue in the appendix shows the development of the script using the AI tool, poe.com. The Easter sale was deleted from the final version. You may wonder why polite speech is used in my interaction with Poe. According to some experts, pleasantries get better results. So treat your AI tool like a friend rather than an inanimate object.
Poe.com is a good place to start if you feel AI is beyond you; it’s one of the easiest platforms to use.
This is the first time I used Poe to make a radio commercial. Normally, Poe helps me to decode and rewrite wordy text. I don’t like to use it to write articles, but it is pretty good for that. The script for our cringeworthy sample radio commercial required several revisions. The final product met the requirements of the briefing, included a token music bed and was perfectly timed. It would have been the perfect tool for a busy Friday afternoon.
By investing a little more time and effort in AI tools, I am sure we could produce something much better that would reflect Ellen Street’s retail space. Used correctly, AI could help you and your organise and plan promotions and advertising campaigns.
P.S. No AI was used in the writing of this article 😊
Dr John Patkin is an Academic Tutor and part-time Lecturer at the Graduate School of the Education University of Hong Kong and the Principal Lecturer and Programme Leader at the Australian Institute of Technology Transfer (RTO 50834) www.aitt.com.au
Extract of the text of dialogue
(Some redundancies have been deleted for the sake of readability.)
JP: Could you please help me write a 30-second radio commercial? Perhaps we could start by you asking me for some details.
Poe: Of course! I’d be happy to help you write a 30-second radio commercial. To get started, please provide me with the following details:
- What is the product or service you want to advertise?
- What are the key features or benefits of your product/service?
- Who is your target audience?
- Do you have any specific offers or promotions you want to include?
- Is there a particular tone or style you prefer for the commercial?
Once you provide me with these details, we can begin crafting a compelling radio commercial script.
- What is the product or service you want to advertise?
Please let me know the specific product or service you would like to promote in the radio commercial.
JP: It is a shopping district in Port Pirie, South Australia, specifically Ellen Street.
Poe: Great! We’ll focus on promoting the shopping district in Ellen Street, Port Pirie, South Australia.
Now, let’s move on to the next question:
- What are the key features or benefits of the shopping district in Ellen Street?
Please provide some information about what makes Ellen Street shopping district unique or attractive to potential customers. This could include aspects such as a wide variety of shops, local businesses, special events, or any other distinguishing features that set it apart from other shopping areas.
JP: The key features are free easy parking, a supermarket, bakery, shoe shop, sports store and a liquor shop
Poe: Wonderful! Now that we know the key features of the Ellen Street shopping district in Port Pirie, let’s continue crafting the commercial.
Here’s a draft script for a 30-second radio commercial:
[Background music fades in]
Attention, shoppers! Are you looking for a vibrant and convenient shopping experience? Look no further than Ellen Street, the heart of Port Pirie’s shopping district!
[Upbeat music plays]
At Ellen Street, we’ve got it all! Enjoy the convenience of free and easy parking, making your shopping experience stress-free from the moment you arrive.
Step into our diverse range of shops. Need groceries? We’ve got you covered with our supermarket, offering fresh produce and all your household essentials.
Craving something delicious? Visit our local bakery, where mouthwatering treats await you.
Looking for the perfect pair of shoes? Our shoe shop has the latest styles to complete your outfit.
Sports enthusiasts, gear up! Discover our sports store, packed with equipment for every game and adventure.
And for those special occasions, visit our liquor shop, where you’ll find a wide selection of beverages to raise a toast to memorable moments.
Ellen Street is more than just a shopping district; it’s a community hub where you’ll find friendly faces, great deals, and a warm welcome.
[Background music transitions to a pleasant fade-out]
So, why wait? Head down to Ellen Street in Port Pirie today and experience the joy of shopping in a place where convenience and variety come together.
Ellen Street, your one-stop shopping destination.
[Background music ends]
This message is brought to you by the Ellen Street Shopping District. Shop local, shop Ellen Street!
Feel free to customize and modify the script according to your preferences. Once you’re satisfied with the final version, you can use it for your radio commercial promoting the Ellen Street shopping district in Port Pirie, South Australia.
JP: Thank you. It sounds like an announcement. Could you make it friendlier? And also, mention there will be an Easter sale
Poe: Certainly! Here’s a revised version of the script with a friendlier tone and a mention of the Easter sale:
Background music fades in]
Announcer: Hey there, savvy shoppers! Get ready for an unforgettable shopping experience right in the heart of Port Pirie. Ellen Street is calling your name!
[Upbeat music plays]
Picture this: hassle-free parking, unique shops, and a warm community vibe. That’s right, Ellen Street has it all!
Need to stock up on groceries? Our supermarket has your back, with fresh produce and all your household essentials, just a hop, skip, and a jump away.
Oh, and don’t forget to satisfy your sweet tooth! Our local bakery is whipping up the tastiest treats in town. You won’t be able to resist!
Attention, shoe lovers! Step into our shoe shop and discover the latest styles that’ll have you strutting with confidence.
Calling all sports enthusiasts! Our sports store is a treasure trove of gear and equipment for every game and adventure. Get ready to unleash your inner champion!
And guess what? The excitement doesn’t stop there! We’ve got an Easter sale coming your way. Hop on over to Ellen Street and score incredible deals that’ll make this Easter egg-stra special!
Ellen Street isn’t just a shopping district; it’s a place where neighbors become friends, where smiles and savings go hand in hand.
[Background music transitions to a pleasant fade-out]
So, come on down to Ellen Street in Port Pirie today and experience shopping the way it should be – friendly, fun, and filled with fantastic finds.
Ellen Street, your go-to shopping destination for every season.
[Background music ends]
This message is proudly brought to you by the Ellen Street Shopping District. Support local businesses, shop Ellen Street!
Feel free to further personalize and adjust the script to suit your needs and preferences. Once finalized, it can be used for your radio commercial, creating a friendly and inviting atmosphere while promoting the Ellen Street shopping district and the exciting Easter sale.
JP: Thanks. Could you please eliminate clichés such as ‘don’t forget’ and consider the audience as a single person instead of a group?
Poe: Certainly! Here’s a revised version of the script, eliminating clichés and addressing the audience as an individual:
[Background music fades in]
Announcer: Hey there, savvy shopper! Get ready for an unforgettable experience right in the heart of Port Pirie. Ellen Street is calling your name!
[Upbeat music plays]
Imagine this: hassle-free parking, unique shops, and a warm community vibe. That’s right, Ellen Street has it all, just for you!
Need to stock up on groceries? Our supermarket has your back, offering fresh produce and all your household essentials, just a hop, skip, and a jump away.
Oh, and satisfy that sweet tooth of yours! Our local bakery is whipping up the tastiest treats in town, ready to delight your taste buds.
Attention, shoe lover! Step into our shoe shop and discover the latest styles that’ll have you strutting with confidence.
Calling all sports enthusiasts! Our sports store is a treasure trove of gear and equipment for every game and adventure. Get ready to unleash your inner champion!
And guess what? An exciting Easter sale is right around the corner, exclusively for you.
Hop on over to Ellen Street and score incredible deals that’ll make this Easter egg-stra special!
Ellen Street isn’t just a shopping district; it’s a place where neighbors become friends, where smiles and savings go hand in hand.
[Background music transitions to a pleasant fade-out]
So, come on down to Ellen Street in Port Pirie today and experience shopping the way it should be – friendly, fun, and filled with fantastic finds, tailor-made just for you.
Ellen Street, your go-to shopping destination for every season.
[Background music ends]
This message is proudly brought to you by the Ellen Street Shopping District. Support local businesses, shop Ellen Street!
Feel free to make any further adjustments to the script according to your preferences. Once finalized, it can be used for your radio commercial, creating a personalized and engaging appeal to the individual listener while promoting the Ellen Street shopping district and the exciting Easter sale.
JP: Thanks. This still reads like an announcement and uses unnecessary words. Please don’t start with “hey there savvy shopper”, just get straight into it. Also, there’s no need to use the word “imagine” as a radio commercial should evoke thoughts. Please revise. Thank you.
Poe: Apologies for any confusion. Here’s a revised version of the script that eliminates unnecessary words and gets straight to the point:
[Background music fades in]
Announcer: Get ready for an unforgettable shopping experience in the heart of Port Pirie. Ellen Street is calling your name!
[Upbeat music plays]
Discover hassle-free parking, unique shops, and a warm community vibe. Ellen Street has it all, just for you.
Find everything you need at our supermarket, from fresh produce to household essentials. No more running around town.
Treat yourself to mouthwatering delights at our local bakery. Indulge your taste buds with the tastiest treats in town.
Step into our shoe shop and strut with confidence in the latest styles. Your perfect pair is waiting.
Calling all sports enthusiasts! Gear up at our sports store with equipment for every game and adventure. Unleash your inner champion.
Save the date! An exciting Easter sale is right around the corner, exclusively for you. Don’t miss out on incredible deals that’ll make this Easter egg-stra special.
Ellen Street isn’t just a shopping district; it’s a place where neighbors become friends, and smiles and savings go hand in hand.
[Background music transitions to a pleasant fade-out]
So, head down to Ellen Street in Port Pirie today. Experience shopping the way it should be – friendly, fun, and filled with fantastic finds, tailor-made just for you.
Ellen Street, your go-to shopping destination for every season.
[Background music ends]
This message is proudly brought to you by the Ellen Street Shopping District. Support local businesses, shop Ellen Street!
Feel free to review and modify the script as needed. Once finalized, it can be used for your radio commercial, delivering a concise and engaging message that promotes the Ellen Street shopping district and the upcoming Easter sale.
JP: How do I copy all of the above text in one go?
Poe: To copy all of the above text in one go, you can follow these steps:
- Place your cursor at the beginning of the text.
- Click and hold the left mouse button.
- While holding the mouse button, drag your cursor over the entire text.
- The text should now be highlighted.
- Right-click on the highlighted text.
- In the context menu that appears, select “Copy” or press the shortcut key combination Ctrl+C (or Command+C on Mac) to copy the text.
Once you’ve copied the text, you can paste it into any text editor or word processing program by right-clicking and selecting “Paste” or using the shortcut key combination Ctrl+V (or Command+V on Mac).
If you’re using a mobile device, you can tap and hold on the text to bring up the copy option, and then paste it into the desired application or document.
Please let me know if you have any further questions or need additional assistance!
Final script used for commercial
Ellen Street, Port Pirie is calling you!
Enjoy hassle-free parking, unique shops, and a warm community vibe.
Find everything you need at Woolworths, from fresh produce to household essentials.
Treat yourself to mouthwatering delights at Price’s Bakery. Indulge your taste buds with the tastiest treats in town.
Step into Flinder’s shoes for the newest styles. Your perfect pair is waiting.
And tee off for the ultimate game at Pirie Golf
Ellen Street… where neighbours become friends, and smiles and savings go hand in hand.
Experience friendly and fun shopping, filled with fantastic finds, tailor-made for you.
Ellen Street, your go-to shopping destination for every season.
[1] The end result can be accessed through this link. https://murf.ai/share/lqlso330