Production Company Launches Worst Radio Commercial Contest

Jeffrey Hedquist, President and Creative Director of Hedquist Productions, Inc. in Fairfield, IA, wants to hear the worst radio commercial in America so he can give it an award in a new competition his company is hosting called The Sow's Ear Award.

Hedquist said, "Send me the worst radio commercial you've ever heard. Maybe you cringed as you heard it on your way to work this morning, maybe your competitor created it, maybe you did it yourself because one of your clients 'forced' you, or maybe it was written by your client. On the other hand, maybe you're the client and an agency, production house, or broadcast station created a monster for you."

Hedquist is offering two prizes to the winning entry. The person whose entry is chosen as the Sow's Ear, "worst of the litter" gets a free copy of the "60-Second Copywriter" CD & workbook containing one-minute techniques for creating better radio. The winner also receives "A Treasure's Trove" fantasy audiobook produced by Hedquist Productions for the New York Times' best-selling book of the same name. Get the details here.

In case of duplication, each sender of the "winning" commercial will receive a copy of the prizes.

All local, regional or national spots are eligible provided they've actually aired on radio and are in English. Preferably, spots should be submitted via MP3 to jeffrey@hedquist.com or recorded on CD and mailed to Jeffrey Hedquist, Hedquist Productions, Inc., P.O. Box 1475 Fairfield, IA 52556 in time to arrive before October 1, 2005.

Hedquist said, "Audio recordings will convey the true insult to the senses, but written scripts could be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed (to 641-472-7400), if that's all that's available. Anything that entrants can tell me about the spots they send will help me put their entry in context. I promise to preserve their anonymity, if requested, but I'd like them to include their name and contact information in case I have specific questions and also in order to mail the winner's prizes. This is an opportunity for people to vent, sort of. I want their worst because I need examples for a future project that, I hope, will benefit everyone in radio."