Worn out by the amount of debate, downsizing, and anguish going on regarding the global economic woes, I’ve decided that now is a good time to take a break from the downturn and look at one of the bright spots in marketing today: Direct-to-consumer TV advertising.

The prevailing thinking among email marketers for many years was that email could become more like mainstream media by incorporating elements such as streaming video and other rich media into their messages. As it turns out, the exchange seems to be working the other way around; TV advertising is becoming more like email, and it might be a trend here to stay.

Skipping right past Bob Garfield’s latest marketing doomsday prophecy (because we’re staying positive, people!), Ad Age has a great profile on the success of Direct-to-Consumer TV spots, with newcomers such as the “PedEgg,” “Rosetta Stone,” and “ShamWow” raking in dollars and almost single-handedly keeping the TV advertising model afloat. Jeck Neff’s article explains:

While many traditional TV advertisers pull back significantly amid the sharp downturn, short-form direct-response advertisers have been quick to take their place. And some, in fact, would say the PedEgg, Snuggie and Loud ‘N Clear could yet save an economy where consumers have largely lost their will to buy.

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