Stuff About Advertising

This was my second time attending advertising's biggest event of the year, and just like last year, I have mixed feelings. In this ad-libbed debrief, I'm giving you the honest details on: What I did all week How the festival has changed What the activations were like The separation between industry and creators AI everything What I'd do differently next time If I'd recommend it for...

Airlines used to have personalities. They sold aspiration and exploration. A feeling. Now, they sell...credit cards. And bonus loyalty points. In this episode, I trace the full arc of airline advertising — from the golden age, when airlines couldn't compete on price so they competed on image, through deregulation and the death of Pan Am, to Southwest's personable brand and the investor tha...

For some reason, tech companies cannot figure out mascots. They keep trying, and they keep getting it wrong. Or they get it right for about five minutes before it falls apart. This episode is the history of that problem, from Microsoft Bob to Clippy to Bonzi Buddy to Ask Jeeves. Plus, Apple's Lil' Finder Guy is the internet's new obsession, but Apple hasn't said a single word about...

What happens when the same tools we use to sell chips and shoes get pointed at a war? From the War Advertising Council in the 1940s to the post-9/11 rebrand of America to a $729 million Israeli influence machine — the advertising industry has never been a neutral party in wartime. This episode traces 80 years of marketers putting their most powerful tools in the service of governments waging wars.

"Speed of culture" is one of those phrases agencies love to throw around. But when Taylor Swift dropped a surprise album teaser and every brand posted glittery orange logos, it sparked a debate: are brands hopping on trends adding value or just adding noise? I sat down with Stef Schmit and Josh Rangel from Ogilvy to get into Culture Current, their framework for knowing when to move fast...

When 400 brands partner with a single movie (coughwickedcough), most just become noise. So what separates the partnerships that actually work from expensive logo slaps? I talked with Matt Kessler from Martin Entertainment about their Aspercreme x Spinal Tap II campaign and how brands should be approaching entertainment partnerships. We dug into authenticity, scarcity, and why the barriers to entry...

Most agencies treat client approval like a battle to be won. But what if that dynamic is exactly what's killing your best ideas? In this episode, I talk with Chris Colliton, Executive Creative Director at Zulu Alpha Kilo New York, about a completely different approach. One where clients become your partners in crime rather than obstacles to overcome. We dig into why the ideas that feel most im...

For every ad you see on TV, dozens of brilliant ideas were killed along the way. That gut-wrenching feeling of losing a script you loved is a universal part of the creative process. In this episode, we're going behind the scenes with the creators of the Dead Ad Society , a unique anti-award show where dead ads get a second chance at life. We'll talk about why great ideas die, how creatives...

Cannes Lions: I went, I saw, I... spent a lot of money. In this episode, I'm giving you the no-holds-barred recap of my first time at the infamous festival. You'll get my genuine take on the event, a full rundown of what I got up to, and a complete disclosure of my expenses. Most importantly, I'm answering all your burning questions like "Was it worth it?" and "Would you...

In this unedited episode, I'm reacting to Adweek's interview with Madwell CEO Chris Sojka. They talk about the infamous private jet, the Wiz Khalifa payment issues, a theme park (??), and much more. And of course, I interject with my opinions along the way. Check out the full podcast episode from Adspeak here.

Is "radio" even radio anymore? From terrestrial to streaming to video , audio advertising has evolved at warp speed. In this episode, we're discussing how much the medium of audio has changed, and I'll share insights from my trip to Spotify HQ and conversations with Spotify execs, Chloe Wix and Bridget Evans. Want more Stuff About Advertising? Join the Internal Review community F...

In this unedited, ad-libbed episode, we're chatting about the leadership of Madwell not paying their employees on time and then getting mad when they talk to journalists about it. 🤪 Here are the articles I reference. I highly recommend reading through them and seeing the screenshots of internal messages! Ad Age: Madwell is in Financial Trouble Ad Age: Letter to the Editor Adweek: Madwell CEO...

Ever heard of Resor, Lawrence, or Robinson? No? How about Ogilvy, Bernbach, or Wieden? Yeah, I thought so. It's time to change that. Join me for a special International Women's Day episode as I explore the stories of the "Mad Women" who shaped the advertising world. From crafting iconic campaigns to pioneering techniques we still use today, these women broke barriers and left a l...

Ever wondered what it really takes to create a Super Bowl ad? The late nights, the client battles, the sheer terror of knowing your work will be judged by over 100 million people? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on Super Bowl commercials and shifting the focus from the ads themselves to the people who make them and their process. Hear directly from writers, art directors, media folks...

From Mr. Peanut's tragic demise to a fake Crocodile Dundee movie, Super Bowl ad teasers have become a spectacle in and of themselves. But why are brands so obsessed with these pre-game trailers? In this episode, we explore the origins of teasers, their impact on viewers, and whether they're actually worth the hype. Don't forget to rate and review the show! Want more Stuff About Adverti...

Advertisers are among the least trusted professions in the US. But why? How did the public get such a negative view of the marketing industry? In this first episode of the Stuff About Advertising podcast, Ashley discusses the personal ethics of working in the industry, how advertising was built on manipulation and deception, and how brands have used ads to inspire and make the world a better place...