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Ron Popeil
Ron Popeil
Ron Popeil was an American inventor and marketing personality, and founder of the direct response marketing company Ronco.
In the early 1950s, after discovering the reach and power of television and its ability to beam his pitch into America's living rooms, Popeil created the first infomercial.
Along with his partner Mel Korey, he produced the first minute long, black and white commercial for slightly over $500.
Ron Popeil was an American inventor and marketing personality, and founder of the direct response marketing company Ronco.
In the early 1950s, after discovering the reach and power of television and its ability to beam his pitch into America's living rooms, Popeil created the first infomercial.
Along with his partner Mel Korey, he produced the first minute long, black and white commercial for slightly over $500.
The first television infomercial was for the Ronco Chop-o-Matic. It quickly spread nationally and made millions, turning Popeil into a household name. This led to several generations of parodies by everyone from I Love Lucy to Saturday Night Live.
By the 1960s, television became the exclusive venue for Popeil's pitching and selling, and continued to be for over five decades.
Popeil died July 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. He was 86.
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