After These Messages Podcast

With the Super Bowl looming, Andrew and Vieves look at this year’s crop of teasers and pre-game ads in preparation for the fourth annual Bowlie Awards. Between iconic movies Andrew hasn’t seen and TikTok influencers that Vieves couldn’t pick out of a lineup of one, it promises to be a laborious project. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Geico - “The Caveman Returns: Th...

After a gripe-filled takeover by Vieves, Andrew turns back the clock to a simpler time, when men were sailors, loggers and pilots, and women knew how to pipe down! Plus, a plumbing classic throws an Ad Councilor for a loop, and children write the best song parodies. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Nissan Rogue - Pup on the Run https://www.ispot.tv/ad/59Pb/2023-nissan...

Nothing says nonconformity like buying or selling a mass-produced product, so Andrew and Vieves look at ads aimed at the rebels, renegades and iconoclasts in need of SUVs, car insurance and Beanie Babies. Plus, a batch of 90s ads sows more confusion around long distance calling and floral arrangements. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Mazda - Looking for outsiders htt...

A roundup of new commercials leads Andrew and Vieves to contemplate the dark heart of an Xfinity campaign, new comedy gold from Dr. Rick, and whether Mr. Darcy has been forever Wamsganned. Plus, an Ad Councilor revives a diet classic. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Geico Caveman back https://www.ispot.tv/ad/58Zy/geico-the-caveman-returns-the-nightmare Tom Wamsgans (...

Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that take the battle for market share literally with ads that throw down over everything from cookies to office conduct. Plus, an Ad Councilor updates a jingle for the modern era, and it slaps! Here are links to the ads that we talked about in this week’s show: Aspercreme - Brawl https://www.ispot.tv/ad/bTwc/aspercreme-arthritis-pain-reliever-brawl Molson - I...

Andrew and Vieves look at ads that ask the humble hotdog vendor to sell everything BUT hotdogs. Plus, a mattress company commercial gives up halfway through, and a quadruped takes to the skies. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Investco: Agent of Innovation: Hot Dog Vendor https://youtu.be/wZBiKiDtsAk?si=UeD5G9B_EPSuVZZT Bank of America Extras: Hot Dog Vendor https://w...

Notorious grade-grubber Vieves is put to the literal test by Andrew’s look back at some of ATM’s most dissected ads of 2023. Plus, a fruit basket company is coming for Folgers’ most infamous crown, and one Aussie cements his iconic status. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Scott-E-vest https://www.ispot.tv/ad/IPF0/scottevest-its-not-rocket-science-its-pocket-science Pr...

Vieves is back with her trademark blend of a high concept paired with a total lack of facility with internet culture, as she and Andrew break down commercials inspired by the socials. Plus, Andrew pieces together a confusing sportsbook ad, and Arnold Schwarzenegger looms large over Muscle Beach. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: AirBnB - Cannonball https://www.ispot.tv...

A tight schedule and a Christmas tree shopping trip combine to inspire a show about ads with talking trees, of which there are a surprising amount. Plus, a Detroit-area classic brings up happy memories for Andrew and Vieves. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Stubhub: Marriage Counseling https://youtu.be/MD2CZaF02lk?si=qC67-H266xGnFhK7 Stubhub: Screaming https://www.adf...

Advertisers can rarely say no to an actor willing to reprise an iconic movie role, whether they’re shilling for Black Friday discounts or tracking a pizza delivery. Plus, an Ad Councilor tips Andrew off to his new favorite ad campaign for *checks notes* TV channels. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Walmart - Mean Girls Black Friday https://www.ispot.tv/ad/5jIZ/walmart...

Christmas comes early for Andrew and Vieves when the New York Times’ Caity Weaver profiles living legend Stephanie Courtney a.k.a. “Flo from Progressive.” Plus, long distance calling in the 90s was absolutely demented, and a Philly lotto campaign is so nice they made it twice. Here are links to the ads and articles we talked about in this week’s show: NYT: Everybody Knows Flo from Progressive. Who...

Andrew and Vieves get into the Thanksgiving spirit with a look at ads for Turkey Days gone awry. Plus, how sad does a grocery store’s marketing have to be before you’ll shop there? And a fast food restaurant evidently snuck one past the goalie. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Stove Top: Pilgrim-isms - Scurvy https://youtu.be/d_ZbN8jAN70?si=ef6AW6O9I4wObvVd Stove Top:...

When a genius like Christopher Guest assembles a troupe of talented comedic actors and improvisers, it’s only a matter of time until commercial casting directors cash in. From credit cards to cable competitors, the stars of the Guestiverse have sold it all. Plus, Andrew waxes rhapsodic about Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and people are getting weird about siblings. Here are links to the ads we talked...

Andrew unveils another classic quiz for Vieves that pits soup against soap. Plus, a 90s product splits the difference on sexism, and an ATM all-star calls in a jingle that makes Andrew queasy. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Campbells Soup https://youtu.be/CBc9aRfBz_k?si=OWu6EUclBY5IMKeD Campbells Soup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czWWlB-D7ds Campbells Soup https:...

Genevieve and Andrew celebrate Halloween with a costume contest based on this year’s crop of trick-or-treat commercials. Andrew also tries to sneak a Terminator-inspired outfit into the mix, but Vieves isn’t having any of it. Here links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Sour Patch Kids - Fireman https://www.ispot.tv/ad/ALXG/sour-patch-kids-trick-r-treat-fireman Geico - Rivalries http...

The Ad Council takes over to share a Tubi campaign that couldn’t be more delightful, a missed connection in a Burger King campaign, and a personal tie to McDonald’s french fry hegemony. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Tubi: Abs https://youtu.be/paA-XcMsUoU?si=iJ5LDmhRd6zxoZNr Tubi: Sitcom Laughs https://youtu.be/kod6BK_YH_4?si=lKln1tUSXWVDipBj Tubi: Musicals https://...

Andrew and Vieves fumble their way through a discussion of social media as a device in TV commercials, while doing their best to keep it 100. Plus, a pair of empty nesters deserve more from life than frozen teriyaki sauce, and Little Caesars is making solid plays for our affection. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Beecher's - Life changing https://www.ispot.tv/ad/5qH9...

Andrew and Vieves look at ads that might not be directed by Wes Anderson, but they’re “quaint, pretty or sentimental” enough to fool the casual observer. Plus an airline ad celebrates our shared humanity at a moment when low-twee Andrew and Vieves really need it. Here are the commercials we talked about on this week's show: Litter-Robot: “A Robot That Eats Your Cat’s Poop” https://www.youtube.com/...

Andrew and Vieves consider ads that brag about the stuff that stuff is made of, from galvanized steel to leather cut from whole cloth. Plus, a paper towel commercial is surprisingly culturally competent, and one Ad Councilor is seeing a Midwest conspiracy afoot. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Apple iPhone 15: Titanium https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_JEezynhrc iPho...

Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that pack a lot of families into a few cars, and spoiler alert, they all include a sulky teenager wearing headphones. Plus, the cable industry makes a play for shaping the youth of America, and Travis Kelce (aka “Travis MaAuto”) is having a moment. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Toyota Grand Highlander - “Back to the lake” https...

Andrew and Vieves review a crop of recent ads that have them feeling the full spectrum of human emotions, and predictably, there are a lot of insurance commercials in the mix. Plus, an astute Ad Councilor decodes a puzzle ad, and a TV classic has a complicated origin story. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: McCain Fries: “Barb from Stranger Things” https://youtu.be/ZMV...

Andrew and Vieves look at ads that are venturing into the new frontier of name-image-likeness licensing in college athletics. Who says you can’t shoot a commercial for Irish nachos in under an hour? And why does a classic kids toy suddenly seem so pervy? Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Dr. Pepper: “Fansville: My Family Now” ft Bryce Young https://www.ispot.tv/ad/2Lr7...

A late night viewing of an American TV classic with original ads proves to be a priceless snapshot of early 80s commercials that sends Andrew and Vieves on a full-blown nostalgia trip. From weird alt battery technology, to an upsetting toothpaste ad, to a battle of the nasal sprays, it really was incredible. Plus, Amazon lies about being a relationship-fixer. Here are links to the That’s Incredibl...

Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that invoke the very gods themselves to sell yogurt, luxury cars and tax prep. Plus, the Ad Council provides all the gory details about the Van Damme Go Daddy campaign, and there’s always time for a long, serious discussion about atheism on a nominally comedic podcast! H&R Block: “Cupid” https://youtu.be/_FN-LDYSLSg?si=QdGKPGrGw9w01BGK Subway: “Cupid” https://...

Andrew and Vieves consider commercials that rely on the dubious acting chops of professional wrestlers to sell everything from candy bars to canned pasta. Plus, a lottery commercial gets a little too grim, and everyone’s boyfriend Sam Richardson has an idea. Actually, lots of ideas. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Randy Savage - Slim Jims light store https://youtu.be...