After These Messages Podcast

A round up of ads for travel sites, AI-powered software, insurance and pet food has Andrew and Vieves mostly gnashing their teeth, excepting a few bright spots that include a surprising turn by former NFL punchline Tim Tebow. Plus, an Ad Councilor does some highly-justifiable pearl clutching. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Expedia https://www.ispot.tv/ad/fkoe/expedi...

From grown men in diapers to giant babies adorably terrorizing their towns, there’s not a normal-sized baby in sight this week as Andrew and Vieves discuss how towering tots are selling everything from hair dye to healthcare. Plus, an Ad Councilor delivers a helpful PSA on an Indian whiskey brand. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Draft Kings - Big Fantasy Baby https:/...

Andrew and Vieves’ IRL anniversary inspires a show about the time-worn trope of forgotten anniversaries and the products that save the day. Plus, Indian ads might prove more baffling than Canada’s, and Jon Hamm steals the show as a chaos agent. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: 1-800-Flowers - Forgotten Anniversary https://www.ispot.tv/ad/tXbE/1-800-flowers-com-gotten-...

In what is fast becoming an annual tradition, Andrew quizzes Vieves the ghosts of commercials past with a look back at some of the highlights from 2024. [ SPOILER ALERT - the links below will reveal the quiz answers ] . . . . . . . . . . . . Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Molson - I am Canadian https://youtu.be/T5KufaaOPwI?si=IdYFoxXZnyJOPTO9 Little Caesars - Sorry...

Andrew and Vieves consider a bevy of celebrity-led campaigns for chips, juice and online shopping. Plus, Canadian advertising proves more befuddling than ever. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Minute Maid - Jon Hamm agent https://d2clgeqocjw7k2.cloudfront.net/65ef092a4d9369001bca0a57/high.mp4 Minute Maid - Jon Hamm https://d2clgeqocjw7k2.cloudfront.net/65ef08b5a8ecb00...

The holiday profusion of celebrity-heavy, inscrutable fragrance ads has Vieves feeling some type of way, but Andrew is just luxuriating in the vibe! Plus, an Ad Councillor suggests a radical new social compact for hygiene etiquette. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Dior Sauvage - Johnny Depp https://www.ispot.tv/ad/IVWO/dior-sauvage-the-new-fragrance-featuring-johnny-...

If the ad campaigns for streaming services are any guide, everybody wants stools! Andrew and Vieves look at ads that are all about the stall. Plus, one Ad Councilor has had it with hot Santas, and he's not going to take it anymore! Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Peacock - The Best Seat In The House https://youtu.be/s_ACwZdDBxM?si=FDBUk33LU05rB-oA Pluto TV - Bathroom...

A familiar figure from children’s fiction inspires Vieves to look for commercials featuring literary icons. From Mr. Darcy selling beer to Captain Ahab selling car insurance, it’s an English major’s fever dream. Plus, Coca Cola ruins Christmas. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Etsy - Waldo https://youtu.be/5CNd2DFWLv8?si=ufbCxhE3G_EonA5q LIttle Caesars - Save like Scr...

With Turkey Day just around the corner, Andrew and Vieves look at commercials for the foods without which no Thanksgiving meal would be complete. From judgy ghost Pilgrims to the simmering resentment of the Manning brothers, everybody gets stuffed! Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Butterball Turkey (1978) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPGEjmnyLKI Cadbury Smash Mashe...

Vieves takes a confusing journey into social media where she discovers a top-shelf parody in service of appliance marketing. But the real headline is the bounty of great content sent in by the Ad Council, from a Monkee-driven cross promo to a chocolatier’s humiliating admission. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Curry’s Air Fryer: American Psycho https://www.tiktok.com...

Thanks to guest producer Gus, Andrew and Vieves look at the time-honored trope of blind taste tests in commercials. Plus, Vieves shares a few gems she saw in the wild, and a vintage Sears ad gets the dramatic reading it deserves. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Pepsi Challenge https://youtu.be/Qgr5kc5QdBU?si=xqfGRqVq1ISq_r3F 7-Up Taste test https://youtu.be/ZAO5Wc0j0...

A profusion of commercials set in elevators has Vieves and Andrew contemplating the many signifiers and tropes inherent in a small metal box. From car buying to cookies, elevators can sell it all. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Ulta Beauty https://www.ispot.tv/ad/fN_d/ulta-holidays-joy-in-the-present Impress Falsies - Express elevator https://www.ispot.tv/ad/fTS0/im...

Andrew and Genevieve celebrate spooky season with a list of Top Ten Scariest Brand Names Of All Time. They also celebrate the life of Teri Garr with the commercial that helped launch her movie career. And an Ad Councilor sings the praises of a spicy little jingle. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Axe Deodorant - Blind smell test https://www.ispot.tv/ad/6fHi/axe-the-bl...

A grab bag of Ad-collades and Admonishments reveals a surprising profusion of doubles and look-alikes in current commercials. Plus, AT&T needs a lesson on how to talk dirty, and the sameness of “inspirational” commercial copy gets justly lampooned. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Progressive - Friday Night James https://www.ispot.tv/ad/ffp1/progressive-friday-night-j...

Andrew and Vieves aim for nothing but bullseyes in a show about commercials featuring darts and dart players selling everything from lotto tickets to soda pop. Plus, an Ad Councilor beefs with a TikTok inspired ad, and Italian actors had a real monopoly on an antacid campaign. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Zoosk: Dart Guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWcprxCH57o...

Andrew and Vieves dig into some spicy content when they look at commercials that rely on fiery dishes to sell phones, soda and car insurance. Plus, Vieves turns out to have been weirdly prescient about a tourism campaign, salmon-flavored candybars are underrated, and when is a dog not a dog? Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6: Interpreter https://...

With the spooky season in full swing, Andrew and Vieves look at commercials featuring ghosts that are selling everything from hotdogs to home insurance. Plus, some Ad Councilors get hip to jelly innovation, and we all get emotional about jingles sometimes. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: State Farm - This is a nightmare https://www.ispot.tv/ad/ftm_/state-farm-nightma...

Special guest and renowned boys choir expert Justin Morissette joins the show to relive his glory days as one of British Columbia’s premier child singers. Plus, he weighs in on the relative merits of childrens’ choirs in commercials, albeit with a Canadian’s understanding of letter grades. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Domino's Pizza "Christmas Choir" https://youtu...

While struggling through the fog of jetlag, Andrew and Vieves attempt to discuss commercials featuring incidents of sleepwalking. Plus, their cultural illiteracy is really catching up with them, and Andrew’s VHS side project makes yet another wish come true. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Highland Appliance Radio Commercial: “Sleepwalker” https://www.youtube.com/wat...

The Ad Council steps up with their own Hot Takes(™) on everything from roving Amazon deals to a tragically endangered booze jingle. Plus, Vieves makes a new best friend named Corporate Natalie, and Lions coach Dan Campbell gets flex his advertising muscles. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Applebee’s (ft Dan Campbell) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn4JopgxugI Amazon...

A night of retro TV ads has Andrew and Vieves wondering why certain product categories seem to have disappeared from modern commercials, even though they're still sold in stores and online. Or are they? Whither the buggy whip ads? Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Super Glue (1977) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3eqqShGvIw Gorilla Glue (2023) https://www.ispot.tv/ad/...

A new haul of mystery VHS tapes has Andrew back at it with a crop of very early 90s ads that include a lot of grandmas (and one spicy surprise!) It’s all fish-eye lenses, swooping camera movements and some very outdated ideas about “health food.” Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Ritz Air Crisps https://youtu.be/ePZpCaJ45wY Kellogg’s Healthy Choice Cereal Commercial: G...

With the fall season looming, back to school ads are in full swing, so Vieves and Andrew consider ads old and new for backpacks, Trapper Keepers and all the accoutrements for kids (and the old actors who play them.) Plus, an Ad Councilor offers a eye-popping revelation, and Andrew’s VHS project finally bears fruit. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Amazon Back to Schoo...

A latent fascination with the golden age of piracy combined with a veritable treasure trove of pirate-themed commercials leads Vieves to don her eyepatch and pegleg for a show about the buccaneers of yore. Plus, a spokesperson comes for the crown, and Andrew may finally be able to put his weightlifting visions to rest. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Amazon Business...

Guest producer Theresa delivers a show about all the myriad uses for jackhammers in selling everything from headache relief to cat litter. Plus, a spotter gets spotted, and Google’s ongoing decline appears to accelerate like an Olympic track star. Here are links to the ads and articles we talked a out in this week’s show: Tylenol https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AJFQ/tylenol-cold-flu-severe-jackhammer Clar...