Blog
DRTV Insights
Infomercials were never just commercials.
They were controlled experiments in persuasion, pricing, distribution, and consumer psychology.
Every successful campaign left a blueprint behind.
This blog documents those blueprints.
From the golden era of long-form television to today’s performance-driven video ecosystem, we analyze what actually moved product — and why.
Because in direct response, opinions don’t matter.
Results do.
Did AI Do That? What the MNTN Super Bowl Commercial Signals for the Future of Video Production
The MNTN Super Bowl commercial “Did AI Do That?” sparked a bigger conversation than nostalgia. Jim Warren breaks down what it truly signals about AI, direct response, and the future of video production economics.
YouTube Shorts Ads: What DRTV Marketers Must Understand Before Spending a Dollar
YouTube Shorts ads are reshaping how direct-response marketers test and scale creative. Here’s what DRTV veterans must understand about algorithm-driven distribution, compressed persuasion, and vertical video conversion strategy.
Impressions Don’t Matter: A Direct-Response Reality Check for Digital Marketers
Millions of impressions look impressive on a report. But if they don’t convert, they don’t matter. Here’s why direct-response marketers have always prioritized cost per acquisition over vanity metrics—and why digital needs to follow suit.
Why Building an In-House Production Studio Is a Game-Changer for Your Business
As someone who’s been in the trenches of content creation for years, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of bringing video production in-house. I’ve helped multiple companies scale their content output by building internal production studios and edit bays….
The DRTV Brand Bell Curve
In 2003, Jim Warren mapped the rise of branding in direct response television using the technology adoption bell curve. Two decades later, his insights explain how DRTV evolved from transactional media into a powerful brand-building engine.
When Infomercials Took on Nursing Home Abuse
Jim Warren reflects on producing Beyond the Golden Years, a groundbreaking 1998 long-form DRTV program that blended public service, legal education, and direct response—reshaping how infomercials could serve society.
Why TikTok Ads That Convert Look More Like Infomercials Than Social Content
High-converting TikTok ads aren’t viral accidents—they’re compressed direct-response systems. By applying infomercial fundamentals to short-form video, brands can turn TikTok into a measurable, scalable performance channel instead of a branding experiment.
The Top 20 Infomercials of All Time by Revenue Generated
From Proactiv to Bowflex, the most successful infomercials of all time weren’t just entertaining—they built billion-dollar businesses. This definitive list breaks down the top 20 infomercials by revenue and explains why these campaigns worked when everything was on …
Direct Response in Disguise: Why Most Modern “Brand Advertising” Is Performance Marketing
Direct Response isn’t dead—it’s embedded in modern marketing. From connected TV to digital performance branding, most advertising that works in 2026 follows Direct Response principles, whether it looks like it or not.
What Today’s Marketers Get Wrong About Infomercials
In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Jim Warren, founder of Infomercial.com and one of the most respected voices in direct response and infomercial marketing. With decades of experience spanning traditional DRTV, long-form…
The Best Companies Helping Everyday Inventors Launch Successful Infomercials in 2026
For decades, infomercials have been the on-ramp for everyday people with a good idea and no clear path to market. From kitchen gadgets to fitness products to household problem-solvers, DRTV has long been the bridge between invention and scale. What’s changed in 2026…
The Future of DRTV: Where Direct Response Television Is Actually Headed
Direct Response Television isn’t disappearing—it’s evolving. As media fragments and attribution grows more complex, the fundamentals that made DRTV successful are reasserting themselves across modern platforms. Understanding where DRTV is headed requires looking b…
Infomercials Had a Reputation Problem—Now They’re Poised for a Comeback
Infomercials earned a negative reputation from past scandals and overhyped claims—but the format itself was never the problem. In today’s transparent, data-driven marketing landscape, infomercials are making a smarter, more credible comeback.
Why Direct Response TV Marketing Still Works — and the Proof Is in the Data
Direct Response TV isn’t dead — it’s evolving. See why DRTV still drives measurable ROI in 2026, how Connected TV boosts performance, and which data-backed sources prove it.
The Psychology of Direct Response Copywriting: Why We Can’t Resist the Call to Act
The Psychology of Direct Response Copywriting: Why We Can’t Resist the Call to Act If you’ve ever picked up the phone after hearing “call now,” or clicked “buy now” because the timer was running out, you’ve felt the pull of direct response copywriting. It isn’t an…
How AOL’s Free Trial CDs Became the Infomercial of the Internet Age
How AOL’s Free Trial CDs Became the Infomercial of the Internet Age If you lived through the 1990s, you probably remember them: shiny discs stuffed into your mailbox, wedged into magazines, and even slipped into cereal boxes. They promised “50 Free Hours!” or “Get…
When Improv Sells: What “Whose Line” Gets Right About Infomercials
Whose Line’s “Infomercial” game accidentally maps the perfect DRTV formula: name the problem, show the fix, make the offer, and neutralize objections with simple, memorable demos. Comedy aside, the beats convert.
The Infomercial That Wasn’t: Tom Cruise, Frank T.J. Mackey, and the “Seduce and Destroy” Marketing Stunt
In the golden age of infomercials, where late-night television was cluttered with shouty pitchmen, miracle gadgets, and dubious self-help gurus, one campaign stood out—not for selling a real product, but for not being real at all. In 1999, director Paul…
From Late-Night Infomercials to TikTok Millionaires: How the 90s DRTV Model Evolved into Today’s Influencer Economy
Today’s highest-paid influencers like Cristiano Ronaldo, MrBeast, and Charli D’Amelio are the modern-day infomercial stars—blending content, persuasion, and personality much like the DRTV legends of the 90s.
The Kardashians and Infomercials Through the Generations: Fame, Fortune & Direct Response TV
From Bruce Jenner’s Wheaties days to Kim Kardashian’s social commerce empire, the Kardashian family’s rise is deeply tied to infomercial culture. Here’s how each generation shaped and reflected the evolution of direct response media.