AND

http://www.atlanta.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=9001546

AND…..

http://www.atlanta.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=4003825

AND………

http://www.atlanta.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=20001618

Thanks for coming on and doing a great job explaining the ad. You seem like a good guy and have a ton of supporters. I think you have a much more powerful source of advertising with all of them, rather than some questionable ad. You seem like a smart guy who just pushes things in a different direction. I don’t have to like it (and still don’t) but I do admire your class for coming on and laying out your thinking behind the ad. Let’s just say I’m glad that at least it was on purpose. Good point – book/cover.

I know you pasted that response in a few areas but in case you are still watching these comments:

(1) I’m 31 – according to Kal, I’m right in his demographic target. I own a home, my second one so far, and nothing about the ad says “I’ve got to do my next one through this guy.” There are plenty of other men and women alike that are in the demographic that this doesn’t appeal to either.

That being said Kal did take a risk in making this ad, and according to the support that has been pouring out for him he does a good job and takes care of his customers. I commend him on that and on taking a risk to promote his business. As a capitalist and business owner I have no problem with people promoting themselves within the limits of the law; regardless of what my personal taste may be.

(2) My problem has nothing to do with my age or my political affiliation although I did enjoy your “bed wetting liberals” comment – I might use that one at some point – my problem is simply this:

When you are in a position to act as a fiduciary in handling large assets for people you are on the receiving end of a very solemn trust that you will take care of the person’s home with their interest in mind. This industry has a ton of bad publicity because a bunch of people decided that wasn’t what they were here for.

I’M GLAD KAL HAS SO MANY FANS. That is great news. I am glad he takes it seriously.

My problem is that when you are in a profession you represent all of the professionals. A tasteless ad (and that’s what it is, regardless of the joke) just makes us all look bad.

So bottom line – cool that you stuck up for your boy, cool that Kal does a good job and has satisfied customers, cool that he is promoting his business, uncool that he makes the rest of the industry look like we treat promoting refinancing people’s homes the same way some would promote 2-for-1 nights at the local club.

No one is doubting that Kal is articulate and an entrepreneur. We just believe his commercial is extremely unprofessional…as does every single person we have shown it to(many in their twenties). I don’t think “good taste” is relegated to a certain age group. Unfortunately, it seems you don’t think much of anyone over 30? I however have a lot of respect for people of all ages. Again, I don’t think “bad taste” or “unprofessionalism” is limited to any age group. The commercial was plainly in bad taste.

I don’t think Morgan is much older that Kal, so I don’t think age has anything to do with finding the commercial “edgy” in a good way. Have shown video to my daughters and several people in their twenties and all found it unprofessional and disrespectful to women.

I don’t live in California and most people who know me consider me very moderate politically, not a liberal nor a conservative. Again, most people who know me also say a have a great sense of humor…so I can take a joke.

You are right about one thing, I wouldn’t want to be caught dead in the outfits worn on the commercial…nor would most young women in their twenties.

You seem like a highly articulate individual that doesn’t need to stoop to this type of “edgy” marketing. When I think of edgy marketing, I think of the famous “1984″ Macintosh commercial aired only once during the 1984 Superbowl.

Professionalism to the masses, media and regulatory agencies is rightly or wrongly judged on both appearance and service delivery. As Morgan pointed out;

“It really just furthers a terrible image of an industry that already ranks lower than dirt. It doesn’t help further the profession; and I think that all of us in the industry have a responsibility to our industry.”

From personal experience in dealing with the OCC, State Regulators, HUD and Congress, this type of marketing is only adding fuel to the fire to those who are not friendly or sympathetic to the mortgage industry. It is my sincere belief, while you may garner short term name recognition and profits, in the long term it will negatively hurt your long-term viability and that of other mortgage professionals.

Again, you seem like an intelligent young man that does not need this type of “edgy” marketing to be successful. I think you have hit and identified a real niche. There are however better and more professional ways in which to capture your intended demographic group while still remaining “edgy.”

Best of luck and please remember your actions not only effect yourself, they also touch the lives of others. Please go to the following link for further clarification:

http://tgalleg.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/03/true_story_litt.html

Tony, thank you for your comment and to further clarify, I never stated that any comments in this blog described my marketing tactics as illegal.

For further clarification on the purpose of my ad… it was meant to be edgy (pushing the envelope of what is socially acceptable)…you either love it or you hate it…. In this instance, it seems more hated. But never the less, it has created an impression…and now you and thousands of others know my name, my number, and what I do. Which is more than most of the 30,000+ other mortgage originators in the US can say. The ad has served its purpose in that sense however I feel it may have been misunderstood. It was produced as a mockery of a “1 900 sex line commercial” and actually airs between 12-2am in the morning on the major networks in Atlanta. It’s intent was humorous and by no means vigilant. When I do my business is when I exercise my professionalism. Also, Morgan, you are right….you do not see stock brokers or financial planners displaying marketing tactics such as this and for good reason. As a financial planner myself, I understand that advertising for financial services are heavily regulated by the NASD which is uniform across all states. A commercial like this in that industry would never be allowed….hence the lack of advertising you see for independent financial advisors. Well, there really is no uniform federal agency that regulates the mortgage industry. It is all regulated independently of each state. I am not saying this is right or wrong, but I do believe it has an effect on the illegal mortgage fraud we have seen in the last couple of months. I would never air this commercial on the family channel or during day time hours. The only fact that you saw it was because of the power of the world wide web. I did not intend for this ad to be viewed outside of its demographic, but I guess you can say it was something of a phenomenon out of my control. I hope that you can see that a book can not be judged by it cover. I simply created one that would make you pick it off the shelf.

Kal Wayman