How The Simpsons would promote on newspaper

Back in the 90s, this was what “omnichannel marketing” looked like. TV shows like The Simpsons would advertise their upcoming episodes in newspapers to reach fans where they already were. No social media, no email list, just smart use of cross-channel promotion.

Marketing analysis

This ad used familiarity (Homer and the gang), a big-name guest star (Danny DeVito), and a clear CTA (“New Episode! 8:00 PM!”). It created buzz across print and TV—linking two totally different media.

Why it works

• Familiar characters grab attention instantly
• A celebrity name adds extra hype
• The headline teases a story you have to see
• The time and channel make conversion frictionless

Examples

• Netflix promotes new shows on TikTok, YouTube, and billboards
• Wendy’s tweets before new menu launches on TV
• Marvel trailers hit Twitter, YouTube, and Times Square on the same day