Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

This week, we look at the marketing of violent sports. Starting with a man named Tex Rickard, who wrote the playbook on fight promotion back in the 1920s. We’ll analyze how WWE pro wrestling took a page from Rickard to create spectacles. And we look at the phenomenon that is the UFC – and how mixed martial arts promotion can be carbon-dated all the way back to Rickard in the ‘20s. We know you want...

This week, we look at weird, unhinged advertising. Like the “PuppyMonkeyBaby” Super Bowl commercial.  The sad Skittles commercial where everything a man touches turns to Skittles. A leather diaper you can wear to heavy metal concerts so you won’t miss any songs. And a pizza that takes a year and a half to be delivered to your home. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On th...

This week, we listen to the most creative use of sound and voice.  Like the mattress company that gave people discounts based on how loud they snored.  We’ll explore a radio campaign that says ugly is a superpower.  And we’ll play a vinyl record that was left out in the sun that warns people about the harmful effects of UV rays.   We know you want to listen to all the ads in th...

There are many products in the world that have “unintended uses.” Originally designed for one purpose, the general public has discovered alternate uses for these items. From Windex to baking soda to Ozempic, the makers of these products had no idea they would be used for so many unimagined tasks. And in one story today, the alternate use of diapers may surprise you. We know you want to listen to a...

With the Oscars around the corner, we take a look at creative movie marketing. We’ll talk about miniature billboards that promoted Ant-Man. A billboard that actually sweated to promote an action film. And we’ll discuss a movie that was saved by a Beatle – then got banned, and was a box office success. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you  don’t , ...

This week, we tip our hat to the tiny, small innovations that make our lives better.   Like the tiny arrow on your fuel gauge. And the bread clip. And the miniscule treadwear indicators on your car tires.   In every case, the inventor saw something nobody else saw, and their miniature ideas went down in history.   Small Wonders. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show...

This week, we look at the link between food and cars.   Did you know that Volkswagen makes sausages. And Rolls-Royce makes honey. Did you know cars have even been named after foods and beverages – like the Mitsubishi Pistachio and the Suzuki Cappuccino. It’s true – and it’s tasty marketing. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you  don’...

This week, we look at the staying power of Catalogues. They’ve been around since the mid 1800s, and they helped build the country. We’ll talk about how catalogues let retailers reach people in far-flung towns and villages. How catalogues finally allowed rural folks to have access to the same goods as city dwellers. And how Seinfeld’s J. Peterman became an owner of the actual J. Peterman catalogue....

In celebration of World Radio Day, we look back on some of the most creative radio advertising from around the world. It’s the toughest medium to write for – but it’s also the most creatively freeing. We’ll hear commercials for a hair removal product, a fast-food series created for these confusing times and a student audio idea that attracted Taylor Swift. We know you want to listen to all the ads...

Super Bowl 60 had an interesting mix of commercials - from humorous to emotional to plain weird. Terry ranks his favs and compares his list to audience favs. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you  don’t ,  subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look at a sub-category of jingles. Most successful jingles are catchy little earworms. But these particular little ditties use lyrics to tell you how to use the product, or how to play the advertised game. They’re not just catchy… they’re rhythmic instruction manuals. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you  don’t ,  subscribe ad-free h...

Inspired by the Beatles, Genny Schorr was a member of one of the first female punk bands in LA. She co-owned a vintage fashion store frequented by rock stars, and was wardrobe stylist for the Bangles, Tom Petty, and Linda Ronstadt. Her spouse is Kosh, who was the creative director of Apple Records for the Beatles. Her new book is titled “All Roads Lead To Punk: Riding the First Wave of the Ph...

This week, we look at “Rage Marketing.” Where a company or organization intentionally provokes the public to get angry. And hopefully spend money. We’ll look at the American Eagle/Sydney Sweeney controversy. We’ll talk about an actress who faked her own death to make a point. And how Connecticut made New Yorkers furious when it said it makes the best pizza in the country. We know you want to liste...

This week, we look at “Clapback Ads.” A clapback ad is a response or retaliation to another commercial. We’ll talk about a Canadian province that took offence to a Vrbo ad. A youth orchestra who retaliated against a big car commercial. And a tech company CEO who got caught having an affair – which forced his company to respond - with humour. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show....

The world of marketing has discovered there’s money to be made in creating fake ads. But, they’re not trying to fool you - they’re trying to entertain you. Companies are creating fake ads and fake stores and even fake mistakes - on purpose - in order to gain your attention. The trick is to appear absolutely legitimate. While gently pulling your leg at the same time. We know you want to listen...

You asked, we listened. For the first time ever, both Android and Apple users can now get access to our exclusive subscriber-only bonus option. And we’re offering more exclusive content than ever to our subscribers. Introducing Apostrophe All Ears. You get: ad-free listening (tisk tisk), early access, extended episodes, Q&As PLUS access to all other Apostrophe shows (Backstage at the Vinyl Caf...

Lately companies have been hijacking breaking news stories to create ads. When thieves broke into the Louvre with a ladder, the ladder company quickly produced a tongue-in-cheek ad. When the Oscars read the wrong Best Picture winner, an optometry chain made fun of the mix-up. It’s called Newsjacking - and it’s becoming a powerful marketing tactic. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this...

This week, we look at the most creative audio ideas from around the world. Including a podcast for runners that only works if you’re actually running, a police recruitment campaign that capitalized on the popularity of True Crime, and a very ambitious alternative audio track created to be played over Disney’s Pocahontas movie – that tells the truth behind the fairy tale. We know you want to listen...

This week, we analyze the remarkable marketing skills of one of the top music artists in the world - Taylor Swift. She has challenged the status quo at every turn - she regained ownership of her master recordings. She convinced Apple and Spotify to pay artists in a more equitable way. She defied Hollywood. She markets her music to her fans in very surprising ways. We know you want to listen to all...

This week, we go one toke over the line and look at the emerging world of cannabis marketing. We start with the question - just how does a plant become illegal? We'll explore the history of cannabis. We'll talk about which celebrities have their own brands (Hello Willie Nelson!) Which high-end retail stores are now selling expensive cannabis paraphernalia. And which non-cannabis businesses are see...

This week, we look at a strange phenomenon happening in Canada. Well-established brands are suddenly leaving the country. Kleenex is leaving after nearly 100 years. Skippy Peanut Butter has skipped the country after nearly 90 years. And KFC actually held a funeral for their terrible-tasting French fries. What’s happening up here?   Find out. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this s...

December 8th is the 45th anniversary of John Lennon’s death. In this very revealing interview, I talk with Earl Slick, guitarist on Double Fantasy. Earl talks about recording John’s final album, Lennon’s sense of humour, and how Earl found out about John’s murder. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you  don’t ,  subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Aca...

This week, we look at copycat brands. Even though they walk a razor’s edge legally, copycat brands seem to pop up all over the world. You may like Walmart here, but there’s a Wumart in China. You may like North Face apparel, but did you know there was a South Butt brand? And, we’ll tell the story of a copycat cookie that overtook the original to become the best-selling cookie in the world. We know...

So many things in our world are influenced by marketing. This week, we look at various aspects of our lives influenced by marketing. – but you wouldn’t know it. It’s marketing hiding in plain sight. Like the concept of jaywalking – born of marketing. How marketing created the 10,000-steps-a-day health goal. And how marketing was the inspiration for one of the most popular TV series that everyone i...

For over 100 years, “free” has been one of the most powerful words in the marketing world. And believe it or not, companies love freebies as much as their customers do. Because giving away free products generates a lot of goodwill. And goodwill generates free press. We’ll talk about a ketchup company who gave a man a free boat. A hotel who gave a couple 18 years of free stays because they had nook...