Ducks Unplugged

Leadership gets talked about a lot. This episode talks about it honestly. In Leadership Unfiltered: Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna strip away the buzzwords and dig into how leadership actually shows up — especially as it continues to evolve in a virtual, fast-moving, high-expectation world. We talk about how leadership has changed… and why it had to. We unpack what really makes a great leader — empa...

Short episode. Strong opinions. Questionable takes. 🦆🏈 In this Super Bowl–inspired mini episode, Ashley and Deanna debate everything football-adjacent as we start thinking about game-day plans — and somehow end up arguing about fingers, toes, and other things no one asked for. 🗣️ Is it okay to talk during the game? 📺 Are the commercials sacred? 🍽️ Can you trust homemade food from people whose k...

This one started with video… and spiraled into chaos (the good kind). In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna break down why video works, why it so often doesn’t, and what brands should actually be doing in 2026 to stop wasting time, money, and attention. 🎥 The video moments that changed us 🍼 A “What the Duck?” involving NYE diapers in NYC ❤️ Why one classic commercial (hi, Folgers...

Memberships are everywhere. That doesn’t mean they’re working. In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we go deep on memberships — the good, the bad, and the ones that probably shouldn’t exist at all. We talk through why so many brands rush to launch a membership, what actually makes one valuable, and where things tend to fall apart. We break down: - The real difference between memberships, subscripti...

Everyone loves a comeback. From nostalgic brands and ‘90s icons to athletes, marketers, and real-life underdogs—there’s something about the rebound arc that hits every time. In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we dive into the power of the comeback: 🎯 Why redemption arcs resonate in marketing and life 🧃 Can nostalgic brands get a modern-day glow up? (BlackBerry, Rainforest Café...we’re looking a...

We're kicking off 2026 with big energy and a fresh mindset. In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to reset, recharge, and refocus—for your life and for business. This one’s full of insight and energy: 🧘‍♀️ What we’re leaving behind in 2025 📈 What we’re bringing into 2026 🎯 Predictions for the year in marketing 🎲 A 2026-themed Would You Rather game 😳 Brand-new What the Duck m...

This was supposed to be a mini… but the Ducks got carried away. In this full-on forecast episode, Ashley and Deanna look into their crystal ball and share their boldest predictions for 2026 — from marketing trends to business shifts to totally unhinged cultural guesses (aliens, anyone?) ✨ Will AI keep dominating? 📈 Is it the year of the boutique agency? 🧠 And what exactly does it mean to “start...

Happy Holidays from Ducks Unplugged! 🎄 This episode is wrapped in festive chaos and sprinkled with all the marketing magic (and meltdowns) December has to offer. From wild Christmas sweaters to the most mind-blowing way to tie your shoes (seriously 🤯), we’re here to spread cheer — and maybe a little unfiltered advice. ✨ Highlights include: 📞 The Holiday Crisis Hotline — listeners called in, we...

You don’t always know it’s an ick… until it icks. 😬 In this episode, we unpack the rise of “the ick” — where it comes from, how personal icks can be, and how brands (for better or worse) try to use icks in marketing. Can marketers successfully lean into consumer turn-offs? Or does it backfire? Plus: 🔥 This week’s Marketing Hot Take ⚡ A rapid-fire round of Ick or Not That Deep? Play along! 🎧 Tu...

2-4-6-8 — who do we appreciate? Mascots! In this episode, we're diving headfirst into the world of brand mascots. From the psychology behind why they work, to which ones are boosting brands… and which ones might actually be holding them back (hot take: is Flo from Progressive past her prime?). Who’s your favorite mascot of all time? Did they make our list? We’re also playing a game called Mas...

What do Victoria’s Secret, Peloton, and Toys R Us all have in common? They’ve made it to the hot seat on this week’s Fix That Brand episode! Join Ashley and Deanna as they go full strategy mode—rewriting taglines, reimagining brand positioning, and dishing out fresh marketing ideas to bring these iconic brands into their next era. Spoiler: we’re not afraid to say what needs to be said. Plus, in th...

Pour the gravy and grab a seat — it’s a Ducksgiving special! In this episode of Ducksgiving: Unplugged, Deanna and Ashley carve into the Thanksgiving marketing landscape and uncover the truth behind marketing at this time of year. From tear-jerker ads to retail hysteria, we explore why brands go one of two ways — heartfelt or frenzied — and which actually works. We share the campaigns that hit us...

It’s our monthly Duck Debate… Thanksgiving style! 🍗🍂 This one is stuffed with opinions, laughter, and a few debates that may ruin family dinners forever. We're diving headfirst into holiday hot topics like: 🥧 Is pie really a Thanksgiving-worthy dessert? 🍎 Is apple picking totally overrated? 🍺 Should kids be allowed in breweries? 🦃 And which of these horrifying fake side dishes would YOU...

This week, we’re tapping into every sense—because great marketing isn’t just seen… it’s smelled, heard, tasted, and felt. Marketing is a full‑body experience, and today we prove it. Erin Campbell joins us for a wild episode where we talk: 🧠 How senses shape what consumers buy (and what brands are doing it well) 🦆 What the Duck: Are you ready for… ads on your fridge?! 🤫 The 5 Senses Blind Market...

It’s officially official — Duck Debate is now a monthly fixture, and this one might ruffle a few feathers. 🦆 In this episode, Ashley and Deanna dive beak-first into the hot takes and heated debates—from pumpkin spice overload and dogs in the bed to whether Taylor Swift is (gasp) overhyped. Oh, and did someone say ketchup smoothie? 💬 Agree with us? Think we’re completely unhinged? Either way, we...

In this spooktacular Halloween edition of Ducks Unplugged, we’re serving up creative costumes (with an outfit change!) and clever marketing insights. 👻 💀 We’re talking FEAR in marketing — how it motivates consumers and when it actually works (looking at you, Mayhem from Allstate). 🎵 In What the Duck, we ask: where have all the theme songs gone?! 🎃 Plus, we reveal our Halloween costumes inspire...

Owning your like factor — it’s not a weakness, it’s your superpower. 💪 This week, we’re getting real about why being likeable gets such a bad rap — and how it’s actually key to building authentic connections, winning over clients, and creating a culture people want to be part of long-term.   We also break down the “like factor” of a few familiar faces and brands (some surprising takes ahead 👀),...

It’s official — by popular demand, Duck Debate is now a monthly thing! Plus, we’re spicing our Mini episodes up with a brand‑new segment: Marketing Hot Takes. This week, we’re diving into: 🍳 Cracker Barrel's flash-in-the-pan rebrand (pun...see what we did there?) 🍪 Are Crumbl Cookies overrated? 📚 Does listening to an audiobook count as reading? 👍 And the age‑old debate — is a thumb actual...

Can we really have it all? Is work-life balance a real thing—or just a clever marketing ploy? In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna dig into the messy truth about "balance." From chaotic workdays to scroll-heavy evenings, we’re unpacking why so many of us feel like we’re teetering on the edge... and who’s profiting from that feeling. 💥 We discuss the balance myths we pre...

You asked. We answered. 💬 This Ask Us Anything: Mini episode is powered by YOU—our amazing listeners! We opened up the mic to your best questions and topics, and you delivered everything from marketing curveballs to behind‑the‑scenes curiosities about Ducks Unplugged. 💛 Thank you to everyone who submitted questions—we loved diving in. Want to be part of future episodes? Make sure you’re followin...

If leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all…how do you know when it fits? In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Deanna and Ashley ask a big question: What would Ted Lasso do? And unpack what goldfish, mustaches, and great leadership have in common. 💼 From loud visionaries to quiet operators, leadership comes in all shapes. We take a look at the traits that truly matter (integrity, empathy, clarity, resil...

Welcome to My, How Things Have Changed: Unplugged! In this episode, Ashley and Deanna take a trip back in time to revisit what marketing was like in a different time — warning, it was a shocking reminder. We dig into vintage ads that would never fly today, from misogynistic taglines to babies drinking soda and shaving (yes, really), to airlines bragging about rejecting female stewardesses who don&...

Welcome to Main Character Energy: Mini! Ashley and Deanna are joined by our favorite recurring guest, Erin Campbell, to unpack what’s giving off major main character energy right now. Each of us brought a few picks (okay, Deanna brought several 🙃), and we put them to the test. From pickleball to WNBA mascots to TikTok creators to… polka dots, we cover it all. Some examples hit, some miss—and plen...

Welcome to Marketing Confessions: Unplugged! Mistakes happen in marketing—it’s inevitable. The key is catching them before they spiral… but let’s be honest, sometimes they make it all the way out into the world. In this episode, we dig into the fine line between empowering your team to act independently and accepting that sometimes, mistakes slip through. We share some wild marketing fails we foun...

Welcome to Duck Debate: Part 2! Ashley and Deanna are back at it—taking on the questions no one asked us to answer but everyone has an opinion about. From whether parallel parking is a critical life skill, to if cruises count as real vacations, to the very divisive Taylor Swift debate, and even whether sharing a toothbrush is okay (spoiler: a gross story is shared), we battle it out. 🎧 Take a lis...