FirstStrike Advertising is an advertising and marketing consultancy, headquartered in Pullman, Washington, operated by Rod Schwartz, a 50-year broadcast advertising veteran.
“Why do you call it FirstStrike?”
Glad you asked. It’s a mashup of two metaphors, one military and one from nature:
- In military use, first strike refers to a preemptive action taken to prevent an adversary from gaining some strategic advantage. Preemptive advertising is a strategy that gives the audacious advertiser an enormous advantage over his competitors, with a view toward establishing category dominance in the market.
- The nature metaphor is that of a lightning strike, a brilliant flash of extreme power that’s impossible to ignore. These are attributes we admire and strive to achieve for our clients. Messages that compel attention, carry emotional voltage, and penetrate deep into the mind.
You have a unique story to tell. We can help you tell it, authentically and memorably. Ask any of our clients.
A Little About Me
I embarked on a lifelong career in radio advertising in 1973, rising through the ranks at stations in Illinois, Minnesota, and Washington. In 1991, with the support of my wife and daughters, I founded Grace Broadcast Sales (GBS), a content-creation company specializing in short-form syndicated radio features for holidays, seasonal celebrations, and special events. Our features have aired on thousands of radio stations across the United States and Canada. Some of the first stations we served remain our customers to this day.
I was born and raised in Chicago. In my youth, I sang in the famed Paulist Choir, where early exposure to the rudiments of music and strict choral discipline helped me to acquire a discerning ear, a terrific asset for someone who creates spoken-word advertising for a living.
Professionally, I’m a radio advertising veteran of five decades’ experience. I’ve helped hundreds of businesses, professionals, and organizations grow their enterprises through the effective use of radio advertising. I’ve contributed to radio industry trade publications including Radio Business Report, Radio World, Radio INK, and Small Market Radio Newsletter. Since 2009, I have been an administrator of Radio Sales Café, the premier networking site for radio advertising sales professionals worldwide. It was my daughter Rebecca’s brainchild, conceived and created as a service to our industry. Today, more than 5000 radio advertising professionals and creatives belong to RSC.
In 2004, I entered my first advertising competition and came away with the $5000 Radio Mercury Award for best radio-station produced commercial in America for my client Keeney Bros. Music Centers. Others followed. But the “award” I’ve always prized highest of all is hearing from a client that their advertising is working.
OK, enough about me. Let’s talk about you.
If you’re ready to tell your story more effectively and memorably, call me at (509) 592-0148.