In the world of email and phones, a good direct mail ad campaign has a certain cool, physical touch. But people don't talk about junk mail.

Enter Role Playing Ads. Named for RPGs (role playing games) with sort of simple logical puzzles.

Have 6-12 different mailings that are sent randomly to houses, so that most neighbors will get different mailings. Make it a game that encourages neighbors to talk to each other.

Of course should have nice graphics and better story, but here's a basic example:

All Mailings Solve our mystery by asking your neighbors! Buy our coffee cups! Go online with the right answers to get 30% off! Which coffee cups does Adam have?

Only on Mailing 1 Scott stole John's coffee cup!

Only on Mailing 2 John has a blue coffee cup.

Only on Mailing 3 Adam has a red coffee cup.

Only on Mailing 4 Adam stole John's coffee cup.

Online: Talk to you neighbors for the answers to our mystery. Adam's coffee cups are: [text entry]

For small scale campaigns where people won't be able to search for the answer online.
-- Bcrosby, Aug 27 2008

Yaquina Head Lighthouse http://farm3.static..._e23dc81b88.jpg?v=0
[normzone, Aug 28 2008]

Breakfast theater?
-- normzone, Aug 27 2008


Ideal for rural English villages infested with curtain-twitching old ladies ...

"Colonel Prothero was stabbed with an Oriental dagger of curious design ......."

"Mrs Protheroe is having an affair with the Vicar..... "

"The Vicar's wife is a Lesbian....."

"The Policeman has a secret gay relationship with the Postman....."

Add a Reality TV crew and you're on a winner. [+]
-- 8th of 7, Aug 27 2008


Sounds complicated, and I already have a dozen coffee cups anyway.
-- johnbakersmon, Aug 27 2008


Ah, but do **your** coffee mugs have a picture of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse?
-- Bcrosby, Aug 28 2008


noo, but they should....hmmm I see you point now
-- johnbakersmon, Aug 28 2008


You are standing in a field west of a white house, with a boarded front door.
There is a mailbox here. It is your mailbox...
-- 4whom, Aug 28 2008


They've boarded up the White House? About time.
-- normzone, Aug 28 2008


How is this role playing? it's just a logic puzzle about coffee cups.
-- ModernDivo, Aug 29 2008



random, halfbakery