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  • 9-DEC-2024 | Tom McElligott’s “Successful Obscene Call” Ad for Northwestern Bell

9-DEC-2024 | Tom McElligott’s “Successful Obscene Call” Ad for Northwestern Bell

Author

Dan Bogachek
December 09, 2024

Tom McElligott’s “Successful Obscene Call” Ad for Northwestern Bell

Time capsule.

It takes two to make a successful obscene call.

It can happen anytime. In mid-afternoon. Late at night. Even at the dinner table.

You pick up your rining phone only to be verbally assaulted by a torrent of disgusting obscenities. And the sick mind that placed the call succeeds in sickening you.

Happily, there is something you can do about obscene phone calls. Something that will turn off a sick mind faster than anything else:

Simply hang up.

It takes two to make a successful obscene phone call. A caller and a listener. In effect, by hanging up you immediately neutralize the obscene caller.

Law enforcement agencies, together with Northwestern Bell, are making these risky times for obscene callers. They risk not only their reputations, but a fine and jail sentence, as well.

Someday, obscene phone calls will be entirely eliminated. But until that time comes, the best way to deal with his hang-ups is to hang-up. 🏁

  • Punchy incomplete sentences right after the hook: they emphasize the suddenness of the call and act as quick cuts between scenes in your mind. Complete ideas > complete sentences.

  • Strong “you” imagery to twist the knife.

  • 1-2 cadence on “Happily, there is something… simply hang up.”

  • Punchline pun, nice.

You glance at your watch.

It’s 6:28. You’ve been at it since 3.
Crap. Your hot date is at 7. Running late. Sink shower it is.
Nowhere close to done editing…

“…at least all the ideas are laid out, so there’s that. Did I miss anything? I don’t think so? Ok, but how do I make it flow? I need to get the final draft to Stacey for design asap, team cutoff is at noon Thursday…”

You’ve spent dinner completely distracted. Your date just took off. You go home exhausted, plod to your desk, and crack open the laptop.

Or… it could go like this:

5:41 — you’re out of the shower and lip-syncing.
6:17 — dressed to the nines and zenned out.
7:03 — the sunset glints off your aviators as you smile hello.
8:36 — it actually feels like you’re hitting it off. Not just hot, funny to boot.
Next morning, 10:27 — polished draft ready in your inbox.
10:31 — Stacey messages back, “thanks, looks good!”

The difference?

You had Copygloss handle it yesterday afternoon.

For help with editing, email Dan:
[email protected].