After These Messages Podcast

A couple of recent ads depicting technology as a swarming menace have Andrew and Vieves looking at commercials that make technology the bad guy. Plus, an Ad Councilor spots a campaign that turns pooping in a box into must-see TV. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Genesis - Old Ideas https://www.ispot.tv/ad/T0wC/genesis-gv70-no-old-ideas-t2 iPhone - Flock https://www.is...

Andrew and Vieves learn what life was like in Chino Hills, California, in 1991 via an old VHS tape filled with local commercials from the time. And a simple promo for re-runs on TNT has Andrew all gaga. Here are the commercials we talk about on this episode: Adrays Of Orange Commercial (1994) - Pioneer Car Stereo Blowout https://youtu.be/vNHJSgH-yas Liquid Wrench vs WD-40 https://youtu.be/DNljBI2E...

Filled with remorse for their dereliction of duty, Andrew and Vieves make up for having skipped the Ad Council with an “Oops, All Ad Council” episode that asks, “Just who IS your favorite Martian?” and “Did anyone ever consider a Fruit Roll-Up prophylactic?” Here are the commercials we talk about on today's show: Detroit Institute of Art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXbKwP6-x9s Amtrak Summer Tr...

Risk-taking, permanence, regret, pain -- the ancient art of tattooing has it all when it comes to the metaphors marketers love to employ. It’s the one where Andrew tries to name all the Friends. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Uber Eats - Jelly Roll https://www.ispot.tv/ad/67Ll/uber-eats-super-bowl-2024-teaser-tattoos-featuring-jelly-roll Amazon One Medical - Festiva...

From hep cats to with-it moms, Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that ride the line between cool and cringe to sell everything from cosmetics to credit cards. Plus, a vintage museum ad is still killing it, and what even IS technology? Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Temptations - Cool cat limo https://www.ispot.tv/ad/fDwA/temptations-cat-treats-cats-lose-their-co...

As long as they keep making pop songs, advertisers will keep writing parodies of them to sell laundry detergent, margarine and cheese bits. Andrew and Vieves look at some recent entries. Plus, an Ad Councillor tantalizes Andrew with a possible submission for the possible ghost files. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Downy Rinse & Refresh - I rinse it out https://www.i...

Andrew and Vieves consider ads that mine the universal frustration of customer service calls for fun and profit. Plus, the Ad Council takes pity on Andrew and Vieves, but still fails to deliver on a spectral idea. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Nauzene - Nausea Hotline https://www.ispot.tv/ad/TXpi/nauzene-relief-hotline-nauseous PayDay - Salty Sweet https://www.ispo...

Andrew and Vieves consider commercials that rely on typos - and the ensuing hilarity - to sell everything from diet soda to dating apps. Plus, the Ad Council does NOT come through. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Diet Coke - Typo https://youtu.be/CtTNIkB3axg?si=0FeeP07uOm6xKH9m WebFlow - We Have A Typo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJTN0g4Bx0I Truth (Anti-Tobacco C...

A vintage videotape yields a bumper crop of L.A.based commercials, PSAs and promos that have Andrew and Vieves feeling nostalgic for the City of Angels. Plus, a Chicago Bulls great is either shilling for sandwiches or auditioning for the adult film industry. Jury’s still out. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Allstate: Mayhem Is The Voice Inside Your Head https://www.y...

A slew of ads set at weddings has Vieves and Andrew considering the many, many tropes used to sell everything from candy to car insurance. Plus, Andrew discovers the pizza has no limit, and a long time Ad Councilor breaks his silence. Here are the commercials we talked about on today's show: Delsym - Wedding Cough Crisis https://www.ispot.tv/ad/f03O/delsym-wedding-cough-crisis Ricola - Wedding spe...

Andrew resurrects a classic 80s game show to test Vieves’ recall abilities when it comes to their favorite ads. Plus, an Ad Councillor shares the secret commercial language embedded in her domestic life. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Skittles: “Contract The Rainbow” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wUh4/skittles-contract-the-rainbow Attorney Scott Hoy https://www.youtube.co...

Beloved actor and least annoying denizen of the Marvel Universe Paul Rudd reprises a commercial classic, prompting a Vieves Takeover, only to be interrupted by Andrew bearing new fast food tidings. Plus, the Ad Council is delightful as always. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Super Nintendo (ft. Paul Rudd) (1991) https://youtu.be/xYhGL5y4DPQ?si=DXIyunSw5tsndXsc Ninten...

Andrew quizzes Vieves on the various attempts by fast food chains to encroach on the market share of their competitors with menu innovations ranging from merely unappetizing to actively revolting. Plus, last week’s show sends the Ad Councilors on a walk down memory lane. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: (WARNING: Links could spoil the quiz if you’re playing along) Piz...

Andrew’s passion for archival VHS content takes center stage as he and Vieves unearth rare 90s commercial gems including a Jim Varney performance that somehow isn’t Ernest P. Worrell and a deeply unpleasant Sega ad that will haunt their dreams. And as always, Jerry Maguire gets a shout out. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Cerritos Auto Square Commercial (ft. Jim Varn...

Guest producer Bobby sends Vieves and Andrew on a journey through time for products ranging from financial planning to food delivery. Plus, a cool thing happened to Utah once. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: PNC Bank: Time Machine https://www.ispot.tv/ad/fUS4/pnc-financial-services-time-machine PNC Bank: Time Machine (Insta Version) https://www.instagram.com/pncbank/...

Vieves finds herself being driven slowly mad by a handful of terrible ads in heavy rotation, which means it’s time for another round of Adcollades and Admonishments. Plus, a hotel-booking site ad launches a conversation about what constitutes a “normal” amount of luxury. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Modern Nose Clinic - SERIOUS head pressure https://youtu.be/AXHth...

Andrew is back at it with the digitizing of old VHS tapes, which inspires a show about commercials that create fake award shows to sell diapers, soda, phone plans and a surprising amount of cereal. Plus, it’s a banner day for Andrew in the getting-things-right department. Sort of. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Huggies Diaper Awards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J...

An unusually grim joke in a car ad inspires Vieves and Andrew to look at commercials for everything from chocolate bars to travel sites with a decidedly macabre bent. Plus, Andrew’s face blindness strikes again, and an Ad Councilor sends out an SOS to prove he’s not crazy. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Fiat 500L - Road Trip https://youtu.be/NeepHgYQb6w?si=Z_d1wMSC4...

Andrew and Vieves take a break from fast-talking pitchmen and slow things down with ads that deploy slow-motion to make the sale. Plus, the Ad Council is really on fire this week with an inside peak at motorcycle marketing and parody ads galore. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Carlton Draught - Slow Motion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNz2Qzpo5AA Thatchers Cider -...

Andrew and Vieves look at ads that dare to ask what actually is the meaning of life, and how much insurance, religion, wealth management and toilet paper does it take to fill the void? Plus, one local lawyer has a big reaction to… something? And a vintage doll commercial rolls all the bad ideas into one. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Progressive - Existential Crisi...

A crafty Ad Councillor puts Genevieve and Andrew to the test with a quiz about commercials and the YouTubers who comment on them. Plus, a sharp-eyed (sharp-eared?) listener notices a pattern in State Farm commercials. And Andrew is newly awed by a cruel commercial that he grew up with. Clearasil - Pizza Face https://youtu.be/gt9EUORoeyc?si=fEBGbKrzP0N-Rm2a QUIZ: 1) "BRING THOSE BACK" A) Pringles R...

Andrew and Vieves dip into the proverbial mailbag as the Ad Councilors respond to last week’s epic Bowlies show and share some classic commercials ranging from processed cheese food to personal injury lawyers. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Nerds - New Orleans Second Line (ft. Shaboozey) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwcZ2dxPUo0 Michelob Ultra - The Hustle (ft. Ca...

Andrew and Vieves turn in an absolute behemoth of a Bowlies show after this year’s crop of Super Bowl commercials threatens to shatter their already fragile grip on life in these United States. Dunkin: Dun Kings Are Back https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5VzQ8OV3X0 Cirkul Water https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJSxfrPf5qI Weathertech - Born To Be Wild https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6d2QRiLw6c Door...

Andrew and Vieves gear up for Bowlies V with a look at the teaser ads being released ahead of this year’s Super Bowl. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Michelob Ultra - The Hustle https://www.ispot.tv/ad/Tw2M/michelob-ultra-super-bowl-2025-pre-release-the-ultra-hustle-ft-willem-dafoe-catherine-ohara Stella Artois - Other David https://www.ispot.tv/ad/TAoC/stella-artois...

Andrew and Vieves look at commercials putting the grand epistolary tradition to work selling everything from sneakers to skin care. Plus, it’s a banner day for Andrew when one Ad Councilor discovers that he was right about something, and tooth-forward soccer legend Jürgen Klopp loves a foamy beer. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: NFL Sunday Ticket - Letter From The Co...