Wesley Hack

The Ad You Can’t Skip

Society EN ↓ 3 episodes

A podcast about the ads that shape culture---and the culture that shapes ads. Each episode breaks down a single ad, campaign, or marketing moment---past or present---and explores why it worked (or didn't ).

Author

Wesley Hack

Episodes

Is TikTok the New Super Bowl? 05.10.2025 4:33

For decades, the Super Bowl was advertising’s biggest stage: $7 million for 30 seconds, millions of eyeballs, and Monday-morning watercooler talk. But has TikTok stolen the crown? In this episode of The Ad You Can’t Skip , we break down why TikTok feels like the new cultural arena for ads, zoom in on Ocean Spray’s viral cranberry moment and Duolingo’s chaotic green owl, and unpack why messy, funny...

Why Nike Ads Feel Like Religion 03.10.2025 5:25

Most brands sell products. Nike sells belief. In this episode of The Ad You Can’t Skip , we dive into why Nike's ads feel less like commercials and more like sermons. From the timeless power of "Just Do It" to the explosive Colin Kaepernick campaign, we unpack how Nike built decades of credibility around struggle, sacrifice, and resilience---then used that foundation to take a cultural stand that...

The Pepsi Kendall Jenner Disaster 03.10.2025 3:16

In 2017, Pepsi tried to “join the conversation” with an ad starring Kendall Jenner—and ended up sparking one of the biggest advertising backlashes in recent memory. In this episode of The Ad You Can’t Skip , we break down what Pepsi was trying to do, why it backfired so fast, and what it teaches us about authenticity in advertising. It’s the ad everyone wanted to skip---but couldn’t.