Ugly, Irresponsible, & Childish

While sipping that Baileys Irish Cream, Smirnoff Black, or Tanqueray Ten this holiday, remember: somebody had to invent those delightful drinks—and his name is David. Author of “That Sh** Will Never Sell,” David Gluckman shares amazing tales of imaginating, formulating, making and marketing of some of the world’s most recognized spirits brands during the Mad-Men era, including the “one” rule that,...

A child faced with imminent incineration, the menacing stare of a creepy old man and deranged laughter. Hollywood’s next thriller? Hardly. They’re political ads. In this Election Day special, Marc and Jeremy discuss and dissect some of the nation’s most unforgettable campaign ads. The hosts analyze these ads without taking political sides, consider how ads become cultural contagions, and invite a...

In this Part 2 episode of Presentation Horror Stories, Marc and Jeremy host two mystery guests who dish about a major grocery store chain. Listen in as the guests share what it feels like to have 17 clients in a room using your agency pitch team as their very own human pinatas. The brief arrived through a third party with no clear budget, competing regional stakeholders (17 people in the room), an...

“If it scares you,” declared marketing guru Seth Godin, “it might be a good thing to try.”  In this episode, Marc and Jeremy share some of the scariest ideas they've ever presented, including those that were killed on contact and others that cheated death to become legend. They draw on industry data about risk-taking, debate how to present edgy ideas, and explain why simplicity, timing, and intern...

Up to two-thirds of companies rely on earned media placements to drive business and awareness for their products, services and messaging.  Most of them do it wrong, resulting in wasted time, worthless creativity and squandered budgets. On this week’s episode of Ugly, Irresponsible & Childish, earned-media expert Heidi Donato talks about the 25 years she spent honing the Art of the Media Pitch,...

Seven out of 10 employees feel guilty about taking time off, with 38% missing a major event in their child’s life because of work-related obligations (an additional 10% say they were even interrupted at a funeral). The ugly Catch-22 is that employees also believe that a mental health day is no reason to miss work, with almost two-thirds claiming their boss would judge them for that. When does your...

Join us for Part II of Jeremy's & Marc's conversation with Rob Poetsch! Rob discuss Taco Bell’s transformation into a lifestyle brand, the role of risk in creative work, and how crisis management influenced campaign approvals. They share behind-the-scenes stories — including the Taco Bell Hotel and Feed the Beat — explore agency-client tensions, and offer practical advice for building strong,...

Working collaboratively with its agencies, Taco Bell has turned its fans into cult-like followers and its brand into a cultural juggernaut. In this two-part episode of Ugly, Irresponsible and Childish, Marc and Jeremy get former Taco Bell Senior Director of Global Communications Rob Poetsch to dish on the tricks, tips, truths and teachings that make Taco Bell’s creative campaigns impossible to ign...

Do brainstorms work? Do the best ideas happen when you’re sharing and vibing with a group, or when you’re quietly ideating on your own? Marc and Jeremy share opposing views, drawing on their collective experience hosting and participating in more brainstorms than Vegas has bachelor parties. They explore hybrid approaches — solo ideation plus structured group sessions — practical facilitation tips...

Stephen Colbert vs. CBS, Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman, Taylor Swift vs. John Mayor, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Katy Perry...almost everybody has held a grudge at least once in their life. But is that a bad thing? Join Marc and Jeremy as they explore the complicated world of grudges, while casting some shade of their own. In this engaging episode, the duo explores the power of holding grudges, sharing pe...

Without villains there can be no heroes. In this episode of "Ugly and Irresponsible and Childish," marketing industry veterans Jeremy Baka and Marc Levy delve into the art of storytelling and the crucial role of villains within it. They explore the dynamics of creativity, discussing how villains and antagonism can add depth and intrigue to brand narratives. From the intricacies of villainous chara...

Two senior marketing creatives explore a topic that has caused more debate than Ross and Rachel’s break up. Can you teach creativity? Or is it a gift only manifested by those with tattoos, black-rimmed glasses, and an ego? Your refrigerator might have the answer. Drawing from personal experiences and listener feedback, the duo discuss the common misconceptions and truths about creativity, emphasiz...

In this episode, Jeremy & Marc dive into the messy, often misunderstood world of creative conflict. We'll explore how creative minds can clash, causing friction not only among themselves but also with account teams, leading to what many perceive as stifling disputes. They'll examine why creative conflict is natural and inevitable, and how it can be harnessed for better creative solutions. The...

As “Creatives” dominate the world stage, the true marketing heroes sit dutifully off-stage, quietly sifting through data, culture, and conversations to unearth powerful human truths that are the nucleus of every great idea. Marc and Jeremy celebrate Planners—“The First Creatives.” The rare few who understand the difference between an insight and an observation. And roast those who pretend to know...

From Apple’s “Crush” ad to Bumble’s cheeky celibacy billboard, even the slightest backlash has brands pulling ads faster than Oscar planners pulling a Will Smith invitation. But what constitutes “backlash” from just everyday social media whining? And who decides? Is backlash an important check on unhinged marketing campaigns or an existential threat to creativity? Jeremy and Marc attempt to separa...

Studies show that up to 80% of business presentations fail. While we can’t blame Marc and Jeremy for all of those, they’ve certainly seen their share. Listen as the pair pulls lessons and learnings from their own crash-and-burns in front of the Fortune 500. With a focus on the presentations that disastrously veer off course, they share personal anecdotes and explore whether it's possible to recove...

In this thought-provoking episode of Ugly, Irresponsible, and Childish, Marc and Jeremy pull back the curtain on the marketing industry’s premiere award show, wondering if it should be called Cannes Lions or Con Lions, debating how 10 mere humans can judge 1,500 entries, each with more impressions than Starbucks has beans. The hosts share personal experiences and insights about the pressure to obt...