Billboard

Many people know Billboard magazine is the Bible of the Music Industry, the place to go for such essential "charts" as the Hot 100 Singles, the Billboard 200 Album Chart, and the Power Playlist from more than 30 top radio stations. But few consumers are probably aware that Billboard is more than 100 years old. [1894 – present] (cBub)

1967 July 29

Vol. 79 No. 30

Merson's 'Invention' Radio Spot Clicking
p 3

Short article on page 3 and photo on page 16, related to Hagstrom guitars ad campaign. More on this campaign read at hagstromguitars.com.

Merson's 'Invention' Radio Spot Clicking (page 3)

NEW YORK—A radio promotion campaign by Merson Musical Products Corporation has met with thumping success, according to company officials.

The effort, in cooperation with stations WOR-FM, New York; WFIL, Philadelphia and WRKO, Boston, featured a one-minute commercial using the music of Verve Records' Mothers of Invention with a message from the group`s leader, Frank Zappa. The message invited listeners to write the station for a full-size poster of the combo and information about the Hagstrom guitar
line, which is used by the Mothers.

Post cards informed the listener that he could pick up his free poster at his nearest Hagstrom dealer, whose name and address were printed on the card.

To date, there have been some 15,000 responses, and dealers throughout the promotion program area say that many of these have become customers.

Merson vice-president Bernard Mersky said this program is the first in a series of Merson consumer-oriented promotion programs. The program was launched a few months ago and will run at least a few more months, Mersky said.

Photo on page 16

FRANK ZAPPA, leader of Verve's Mothers of Invention, is seen with Bernard Mersky, vice-president, Mersom Musical Products, with whom the artist has just signed a promotion and advertising contract. Mersun distributes the Unicord line of amps, guitars, combo organs and other pop musical merchandise.