Selling the Dream: Why Advertising Is Good Business

[Learn About Admiral John Hood,] the outside of the envelope stated enticingly. The letter came with a stack of other mail, much of it unsolicited, much of it discarded. But that personalized mailing label caught my eye. I did not remember that there was an Admiral John Hood. I looked at the return address: [Multieducator: The Multimedia History Company,] it said. Beneath, in blue letters at a 45–degree angle, was another announcement: [It's New … www.his torycentral.com/ Check it out!] So, in the course of a few seconds, whoever had sent this marketing letter had piqued my interest in history and education, after first catching my eye with an intriguing namesake.

I opened the letter. Inside was a brief, polite letter informing me that I would find a short biography of Admiral John Hood, a history of the U.S. Navy destroyer named after him, and a catalog of the company's naval-related wares. [You can purchase products to proudly wear products with the name John Hood on it,] the grammatically challenged missive stated. [What better time then [sic] when our troops are in harms [sic] way for you show [sic] your support then [sic] wearing a hat or jacket that proudly honors the ship named for you [sic] namesake.]

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