writing a jingle for a local firm.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steenamaroo
  • Start date Start date
Steenamaroo

Steenamaroo

...
This isn't technically songwriting i guess, but it's probably still the most appropriate place to put this.

I've been approached by a local company and asked to write and record a jingle for radio advertising.

They used to have a local station do this, but they want me cos if a station makes the jingle, they are tied to that one station in terms of airplay.


My problem is, these guys have no idea what they want. They have their script about the product, but other than that they just expect me to come up with everything.

sung intro jingle->backing for spoken ardvert->sung outro jingle.

The local station that they used to go to have singers, voice artists, and templates on hand, so they just make up 50 jingles and say pick one that you like.
My problem is that i'd have to hire and pay singers/voice artists, so i kinda need to know i'm doing the right thing before i commit.

Has anyone done work like this before? How do you approach it. Any techniques for getting a 'non-musical' client to put across an idea?

As it stands, i've just asked the guy to listen out for existing adverts that he feels are close to what he wants, then I plan to use that as a template or starting point.

Any advice is appreciated; Turning down/loosing work is not an option :) you guys know that!!!
 
Do you remember the original 'Direct Line' ads with the red phone and that stupid car horn ? The writer apparently wanted to make something irritatingly annoying, but memorable. It worked ! Nearly 20 years on, I can't forget it.
I'd say keep the jingle simple. Do you not know a couple of singers that could help out ?
I know virtually nothing about all of this, but when I listen to ads on the radio, I'm struck by the variety of jingles. Some are really great bits of music, some are almost unnoticeable. Some I can't wait to end !
I'll be interested to see how it pans out for you.
 
keep it super super short. use a very simple melody that can play through the entire commercial then have the singers pop in at the end.
 
You're both right, but i suppose the problem is the guy gave me copies of 'demo jingles' that he got from the local station.

They are short, sweet and cheesy; Exactly what i would have made on gut instinct but apparently this isn't what he wants.

When asked "what do you want" he just said "something catchy"


It is guesswork, that's for sure, but i want to please the guy.
 
creative work for clients is like that... I don't do it anymore :D
 
haha..i can understand that...

it's money though,,and at this stage.well....you know! lol
 
Go to the place of business. Look, listen. Something should start playing in your head.
Go with your own thing. You're the creative guy. Don't try to make it sound like anything other than what inspiration assembles in your head. Think about it. Focus. Something will come.

If it's really off the wall and unusual and new and original, they'll love it, or hate it. Either way, that's what the game is about, and you win. Success in that business is about your unique stamp on your work.

A 20-something at the station can make forgettable, over-priced crap. You can do better, trusting your particular muse and gifts. With luck, you'll establish a long relationship with the client, and others will want a sound like yours. You'll be the real go to guy. And drive a Lexus.

Whatever comes, just do it boldly...no matter how you think it'll be received.\

Now, go out there and win! Oooohrah! :^)
 
ahhhh amazing!!! Japanese mercedes!!!!!!

i feel like there should be some sort of montage?
 
Autotune or gender changing plugins just might be your friend on this one Paul. ;)
 
I have a friend in a good folk band. Was thinkin' i might get him on resonator and banjo for a nice country effort!


I've sent a demo off to the firm but i think they're closed for the twelfth week. (NI public holidays)
Probably wont hear anything till monday.
 
Good luck! I'm curious as to how to get into this type of work? I took radio in college but never pursued it as a career. Home production for commercials/jingles etc. is something I'd really be interested in, but wouldn't know where to start building/finding a client base for a guy working from home.
 
Thanks for the luck!

To be honest, i can't advise. This one job just fell into my lap; I also wouldn't know where to start looking for this kind of work.

It'd be nice to get it everyday though huh?
 
I've been in the studio for more commercials and jingles than I
care to mention.

The ones that work are the ones that create ear ticks. Those
stupid tunes you can't get out of your head. If I think it's stupid
the chances of it being good are excellent. LOL!

In a nutshell, if you can play the melody 3 or 4 times in 15 seconds
then you're on the right track. Forget about intros and bridges.
4 measures is enough.

Mow - not - knee
Is - da - key

Go to YouTube and search commercials from the 60's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top