Piece Description

Nothing dissolves listeners' resistance to pledging better than humor. But fundraising materials that are both funny and persuasive are rare. That's why WFIU created Fundraising Funnies. Fundraising Funnies adapt the most powerful techniques of commercial radio advertising to spots that reflect public radio's core values. Fundraising Funnies helped WFIU exceed its last two fund drive goals by a total of $30,000. A longtime listener e-mailed us: "I just want to let you know how much I'm enjoying the fundraising spots this year. Some of them make me laugh out loud! Thanks so much for putting thought into eliciting my support." Fundraising Funnies are voiced with a cast of professional voice actors and impressionists. Radio advertising guru Dan O'Day spotlighted a Fundraising Funny in his Radio Advertising Newsletter: "Not quite your run-of-the-mill Pledge Drive spot. What the heck is Adam Schwartz doing here? Doesn't he know about the ironclad public radio rule that requires Pledge Drive spots to be lifeless and sleep-inducing?" Put Fundraising Funnies to work in your next pledge drive. They'll get your listeners laughing . . . and pledging! "Aerobics" (:43) News and public affairs "Andy Rooney" (:49) Morning Edition "Bedtime Story" (1:04) Generic "Casablanca" (1:10) Generic, Performance Today "Clint Eastwood" (:46) Classical music "Darryl's Edition" (:48) Morning Edition "Extreme Risk" (:53) Generic "Honor System" (1:09) Generic "Metamorphosis" (:58) Morning EditionMind Chatter (1:04) Generic "Mom Knows Best" (:34) Morning Edition "Negative Thinking" (:41) Generic "Pledge Responsibly" (:50) Morning Edition "Restaurant" (:43) Generic "Rick's Share" (:55) Morning Edition, Fresh Air "It's a Wonderful Fund Drive" (1:37) Generic