Wing Enterprises' infomercial for its Little Giant Ladder Systems is airing only in test markets, but nationwide infomercials have helped make some products household names.
Jordan Whitney Inc., based in Tustin, Calif., is a research, consulting and publishing company that monitors, ranks and critiques so-called direct-response television commercials, both infomercials and short-form spot advertisements.
The company periodically publishes rankings, including those for the top infomercials, based on confidential media budgets, frequency of airing and Jordan Whitney's own monitoring of national cable and selected broadcast markets for the preceding week.
According to Jordan Whitney, the top 10 infomercials of 2003 were:
1. Carleton Sheets (American Marketing Systems)
2. Bowflex
3. Gazelle (Fitness Quest)
4. Ionic Breeze Quadra (Sharper Image)
5. Proactiv Solution (Guthy-Renker)
6. Total Gym (American Telecast)
7. Miracle Blade
8. Showtime Rotisserie (Ronco)
9. Tempur-Pedic
10. Winsor Pilates (Guthy-Renker)