The Age of Persuasion
Host Terry O’Reilly
Terry O’Reilly. Age 4. Plucked out of Romper Room to be in TV commercial in 1963.
Ad-libs line. Director laughs. Keeps it in spot.
Fate sealed.
After finishing Ryerson’s RTA program in 1981, he promptly sends out 60 resumes to 60 advertising agencies. Gets back 60 rejection letters. Promptly. Applies to small radio station in Burlington, Ontario. Begins career as copy chief at said small radio station – falls in love with radio. Station has over 100 on-going clients. Discovers that, with hard work and diligent organization, you can still fall flat on your face. Three years later, is actually hired by a top advertising agency in Toronto. Goes on to work for some of the most creative shops in Canada including Campbell-Ewald, Lowe Goodgoll, Doyle Dane Bernbach and Chiat/Day.
Co-founds Pirate Radio & Television in 1990, specializing in the writing and directing of radio commercials, and the creation of music and sound for television. Pirate grows to include eight recording studios in Toronto and New York City, 3 production suites, a sound-effects division, animation division, a casting company and a branded entertainment department.
Has won over 400 national and international awards for writing and directing. Hosts sold-out radio workshops for the advertising industry every year. In demand as a speaker promoting the power of radio. Featured on cover of Marketing Magazine in 2004. Chosen as one of Canada’s “Most Influential” marketing people in Marketing Magazine’s “Power 100 List.” Featured as one of North America’s top radio writers by Radio Bureau of Canada on their “Radio Renaissance” CD. Chosen as the sole Canadian judge for the inaugural year of Radio at the 2005 Cannes Advertising Festival in France. Named International Radio Jury Chairman at 2006 Clio Awards in Miami. Hosted the popular CBC radio series, O’Reilly On Advertising before The Age of Persuasion. Was recently given the Les Usherwood Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honours in the advertising business.
Has a wonderful wife and three lovely daughters.
Who like some of his work.
Producer Mike Tennant
Mike Tennant
Co- Creator/Writer
Prior to The Age of Persuasion, even prior to O’Reilly on Advertising, Mike Tennant was a familiar voice on CBC Radio, as Ad Columnist on Definitely Not the Opera, and writer/host of dozens of brief ‘explainer’ pieces on subjects du jour.
During his decade and a half as a freelance writer, Tennant has created dozens of award-winning campaigns for clients across North America. Prior to that he was a staff writer at private radio stations in Toronto, Calgary, Regina and Moose Jaw. While at Calgary’s CJAY 92 FM, he wrote and produced more than 50 episodes of a popular Sunday night staple, The Barclay Flakes Comedy Program.
At 17, Tennant landed a column with Toronto’s Sunday Star, which he wrote for two years, before spending a half-year backpacking across Europe. Prior to all that, he had written and performed in a weekly community-access TV program, Mike Tennant’s News, Weather, and Steakhouse.
Nowadays, when not giving talks and workshops on creative communication, he can be found in the office of his Kitchener home, which he shares (the house- not the office) with his wife, their three teenagers, and their faithful chocolate lab, Eli.
Tribal Interloper 