As promised, an example of poetic marketing (predating the Web). The following was a series of six postcards I wrote to introduce payroll managers to the NCS TimeScan Plus system, a system that allowed timecards to be scanned instead of manually key entered. Each postcard was a simple white-on-black presentation of the verse, a two-line description of the TimeScan product, and a toll-free contact number.

The aim was to pave the way for an outbound phone sales campaign for TimeScan Plus, but the direct mail campaign drew an unexpected volume of inbound calls from prospective customers that kept sales reps busy for several weeks.

 Card #1
The average payroll manager is quite immune to terrors
except the possibility of data input errors.
This might explain why they replace key entry done by hand
with TimeScan Plus from NCS so data can be scanned.

Card #2
The weather forecast may be wrong or umpires blow the call.
It's inconvenient, but won't cause democracy to fall.
But if you'd care to see the roots of civilization strained,
on any given payday let the paychecks be detained.

Card #3
When buses run late or the planes are delayed,
we might get upset but the memories will fade.
But payday is different. Those checks are on time
or it's more than a problem; it's almost a crime.

Card #4
Payroll data, it's a chore to keep the figures straight,
with terminations, hires and changes to accommodate.
Just getting timely input done's a constant source of stress
until you try the TimeScan Plus from - who else - NCS.

Card #5
Every company has as a litany
"Let us endeavor to do more with less."
May we suggest that to scan data readily
into your payroll you call NCS.

Card #6
A slip of the finger, a blink of the eye
may seem to be infinitesimal,
but the impact can be absolutely profound
if the point where you tripped is a decimal.