The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Shredder on June 28, 2003, 07:47:16 PM
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You'll hear Rod annoucning it all the time. 'Invention submission corporation'. The one with the cavedude and a hammer pounding a wheel.
I didn't know where to place this note, so I figured here would be the best shot. Has anyone come up with an invention and given this company a try? I just did to solve a problem that was just pointed out to me recently(There's no way to miss out on the obvious for 10 years without coming off as an idiot), and was wondering if it's a legit operation..
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[quote name=\'Shredder\' date=\'Jun 28 2003, 04:47 PM\'] I didn't know where to place this note, so I figured here would be the best shot. Has anyone come up with an invention and given this company a try? [/quote]
I'm speaking entirely from conjecture here, so I may be full of it, but from the ads I have seen on TV for that company, it strikes me that they simply fill out the necessary patent paperwork for whatever it is you invented, and probably in drawing up a contract with you write in that they get a cut of whatever they might \"help\" you make from it, even though they didn't do a bit of the inventing. In other words, nothing you couldn't do yourself with a little research.
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Hmm, kind of figured that was the case... I guess in this case going with the familly lawyer and talking to him about it might be able to help things out a bit....assuming that's in his area of study.
I just took a look at an official site from the .gov line of addies, and everything is so darned complicated. I wish they'd simplify that site in a 'patent for dummies' area :).
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[quote name=\'Shredder\' date=\'Jun 28 2003, 08:08 PM\'] Hmm, kind of figured that was the case... I guess in this case going with the familly lawyer and talking to him about it might be able to help things out a bit....assuming that's in his area of study.
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I imagine that he has some knowledge, especially the basics, but even if he doesn't know what to do, he probably has connections.
I've heard that ISC also can help you find companies that would be interested in your patent idea, but personally I'd want as few people between me and my patent as possible.
I just took a look at an official site from the .gov line of addies, and everything is so darned complicated. I wish they'd simplify that site in a 'patent for dummies' area :).
There are \"Patent for dummies\" books -- either the \"for dummies\" line and the \"Complete idiot's guide to\" line should have one on patents, and it costs a lot less than ISC would.
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[quote name=\'Shredder\' date=\'Jun 28 2003, 06:08 PM\'] Hmm, kind of figured that was the case... I guess in this case going with the familly lawyer and talking to him about it might be able to help things out a bit....assuming that's in his area of study.
[/quote]
I should think AT WORST he would be able to refer you to a good copyright lawyer, if not handle the filings for you directly.
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My gosh, something I can actually make an informed comment on!
I did an interview late last year with a local woman who is working with ISC to market her invention, a needle holder for needlepoint. (It's two little plastic holders tied together with yarn; put the holders over the ends of the needle to keep from poking yourself. It makes sense when you see it.)
They've helped her with patents and with getting in touch with companies that may want to market it. Don't know if it's worth the fee, but she seemed happy with it.
Of course, I haven't seen it in any stores lately.
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When we see the Bob Barker Home Spay and Neuter Kit in pet shops, I think we'll have a pretty good idea who's behind it.
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There are \"Patent for dummies\" books -- either the \"for dummies\" line and the \"Complete idiot's guide to\" line should have one on patents, and it costs a lot less than ISC would. >>
Did an Amazon search for one, and came up with notta. Have to take a visit to the local bookstore.
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[quote name=\'Shredder\' date=\'Jun 28 2003, 06:47 PM\'] You'll hear Rod annoucning it all the time. 'Invention submission corporation'. The one with the cavedude and a hammer pounding a wheel.
I didn't know where to place this note, so I figured here would be the best shot. Has anyone come up with an invention and given this company a try? I just did to solve a problem that was just pointed out to me recently(There's no way to miss out on the obvious for 10 years without coming off as an idiot), and was wondering if it's a legit operation.. [/quote]
Just to make the point clear, i was wondering do they in fact get a \"telephone\" from ISC, or a \"telephone call\" from ISC?
I wonder what kinda phone you'd get hehe.
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Just to make the point clear, i was wondering do they in fact get a \"telephone\" from ISC, or a \"telephone call\" from ISC?
I believe Randy West said on the old board that it is a telephone you get as the prize from ISC--with the caveman insignia somewhere on the phone.
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Is there any good reason why ISC gives them a stupid phone? Is it just that they wanted to get themselves on the fee plugs, but don't sell any actual \"products\"?
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[quote name=\'drmusic_99\' date=\'Jun 29 2003, 01:56 PM\'] Is there any good reason why ISC gives them a stupid phone? Is it just that they wanted to get themselves on the fee plugs, but don't sell any actual "products"? [/quote]
Basically, yeah.
Which reminds me - I always wondered about plugs in which Johnny O or whoever is reading off the list of lovely parting gifts and might say (examples thruout:)
\"Peel and Stick, just that easy, just that quick\"
(switch to slide of Turtle Wax)
\"And an iron, and a six-month supply of Turtle Wax...\"
Did this mean that Turtle Wax also threw in an iron? And was it to get Turtle Wax's contribution to the minimum required to get a fee plug?
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' date=\'Jun 29 2003, 03:06 PM\']
\"Peel and Stick, just that easy, just that quick\"
(switch to slide of Turtle Wax)
\"And an iron, and a six-month supply of Turtle Wax...\"
Did this mean that Turtle Wax also threw in an iron? And was it to get Turtle Wax's contribution to the minimum required to get a fee plug?[/quote]
I'm betting the answer to this is \"YES.\"
Something similar took place during many of the small prize games on TPIR in the '70s and '80s, when they offered \"a radio from Western Auto,\" \"a toaster from Trustworthy Hardware,\" etc. The companies mentioned in the plug did not manufacture (or at least didn't put their brand name on) the small prizes, but I imagine, depending on the magnitude of the prize, either the plug helped defray Price Production's costs of purchasing the prizes or the prize reduced the fee that the store paid to have its name mentioned by providing the prizes.
By the late '90s, Service Merchandise, before they went belly-up, provided a great deal of the small prizes to TPIR and Rod would just announce one \"blanket\" SM plug before the first SCSD.
Nowadays, Price buys most of those small prizes outright. They have no problem telling e-mailers at cbs.com that they purchased the corn popper at Wal-Mart, the massager at Target, etc. Do they have that big of a budget surplus that they don't need to go after sponsors for their small prizes? My guess is that they more than make up for it on the big-ticket items.
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Not trying to change the topic of my own thread, but something got me wondering. With all these prizes, how much do you think the folks at TPIR spend per year?
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[quote name=\'uncamark\' date=\'Jun 29 2003, 12:15 PM\'] I believe Randy West said on the old board that it is a telephone you get as the prize from ISC. [/quote]
Oh, but it was such a more exciting post than just that! So here's a short recap on the phone.
ISC's advertising campaign has emphasized the importance of an inventor not just having a better idea, but having better business skills. Their research has shown that Alexander Graham Bell was NOT the first to invent the telephone, but he got the credit and the money because of his rush to the patent office with the proper business acumen and knowledge. So you get a phone as a reminder of the importance of patenting and marketing any good invention.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Jun 29 2003, 04:41 PM\']
ISC's advertising campaign has emphasized the importance of an inventor not just having a better idea, but having better business skills. Their research has shown that Alexander Graham Bell was NOT the first to invent the telephone, but he got the credit and the money because of his rush to the patent office with the proper business acumen and knowledge. So you get a phone as a reminder of the importance of patenting and marketing any good invention.
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Bravo, Randy! Thanks for the explanation!
Now, can you explain what the iron has to do with the Turtle Wax? ;)
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[quote name=\'Shredder\' date=\'Jun 28 2003, 06:47 PM\'] You'll hear Rod annoucning it all the time. 'Invention submission corporation'. The one with the cavedude and a hammer pounding a wheel.
I didn't know where to place this note, so I figured here would be the best shot. Has anyone come up with an invention and given this company a try? I just did to solve a problem that was just pointed out to me recently(There's no way to miss out on the obvious for 10 years without coming off as an idiot), and was wondering if it's a legit operation.. [/quote]
WOW, kiss my grits... I thought i was silly to think that ICS was giving away a free phone. Well, thats what the ad says, but never thought it was what it was really saying. Glad i spoke up.
Thanks Randy and everyone else for clearing that up.
BTW, sorry i kinda went off topic with the original post here heh ;)
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[quote name=\'Brian44\' date=\'Jun 29 2003, 03:49 PM\']Nowadays, Price buys most of those small prizes outright. They have no problem telling e-mailers at cbs.com that they purchased the corn popper at Wal-Mart, the massager at Target, etc. Do they have that big of a budget surplus that they don't need to go after sponsors for their small prizes? My guess is that they more than make up for it on the big-ticket items.[/quote]
Does this also explain why an increasing number of prizes are described without mentioning their brand names? This always sounds weird to me, and occasionally (as Randy can attest) it makes for a somewhat awkward moment when the contestant wants that information.
On the other hand, it does increase the realism of the home versions, which, of course, have always featured generic products. Somehow, though, I don't think the folks at TPIR have this in mind when buying prizes and writing copy.
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Which reminds me - I always wondered about plugs in which Johnny O or whoever is reading off the list of lovely parting gifts and might say (examples thruout:)
\"Peel and Stick, just that easy, just that quick\"
(switch to slide of Turtle Wax)
\"And an iron, and a six-month supply of Turtle Wax...\"
Did this mean that Turtle Wax also threw in an iron? And was it to get Turtle Wax's contribution to the minimum required to get a fee plug?
1. Probably.
2. Probably not, since they're paying the free no matter what. It seems to me that at some point in the late 70s-early 80s, either one of the networks or a merchandising company (or \"schlockmeister,\" as they're affectionately known) may've been noticing how many of the grocery item consolation prizes were being refused or donated to charity by contestants--therefore, the idea was that if besides the case or two of Rice-a-Roni, why not throw in some tangible appliance or tote bag that the contestant might just keep?
Now whether you had to keep the case of Rice-a-Roni to keep the, say, toaster, I don't know, or if you had to refuse or donate both together or separately, I don't know.
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It's possible that a prize had to be added in order to bring the value of the items awarded up to the value of the plug. IOW the prize supplier was getting $25 worth of plug but only supplying $15 worth of prize so a warming tray was thrown in.
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[quote name=\'Mike Tennant\' date=\'Jun 30 2003, 09:14 AM\'] Does this also explain why an increasing number of prizes are described without mentioning their brand names? This always sounds weird to me, and occasionally (as Randy can attest) it makes for a somewhat awkward moment when the contestant wants that information.
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These are the fun moments!
Contestant: \"Is that a cordless phone?\"
Bob: \"Randy, is that a cordless phone?\"
Me (finding no info in the copy): \"I believe it has a cord, Bob!\"
The whole world of prize brokering is a fascinating one. If you get the chance, buy Art Alisi a drink or two sometime (or buy me three ;-) and you may hear an earful. Everything from Hollywood Squares' \"fam trips\" for Peter Marshall, the staff and celebs to the Posada Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, to what those 10 second plugs can sell for on network shows.
Not all prizes are traded for the promotional consideration mentions. Lots are purchased and in those cases the copy usually has no mention of the manufacturer. But the mentions for the small products that are paid for go a long way towards carrying the freight.
You already know that national advertising rates vary with the estimated size and demographics of the audience. And you know that 30 seconds of ad time can sell for tens of thousands of dollars or hundreds of thousands of dollars (or even close to 2 million for the Superbowl), Well, certainly you don't think that when an advertiser gives away a phone or a year's supply of Rice-A-Roni that they're getting those 10 seconds for the price of a bag of rice or a plastic phone made in the Dominican Republic by child labor? Especially with a hit network show similar to TPIR (as opposed to a cable wonder like \"The All New Pet My Dog\").
Even the providers of sizeable prizes may pay for the exposure in addition to paying the brokers and agencies they connect through. And of course a free Dirt Devil always helps the announcer emphasize the copy ;-)
JUST KIDDING!!!!
Randy
tvrandywest.com