In this episode, we explore the power of brand rivalries as well as playful beefs. From a few recent Super Bowl ads to social media antics. We discuss how strategic conflicts can shape perceptions and customer engagement. Bonus: Listen in to find out which one of us was a babysitter for a minor celebrity.

Topics include:

• The historical and modern significance of brand beefs (Mac vs. PC, BMW vs. Audi)
• The recent AI advertising wars: Anthropic vs. OpenAI and their bold campaigns
• How brands punch up: from soda wars to airline jabs, to build identity and visibility
• The role of subtle versus explicit competitor references in advertising

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the cultural importance of brand beefs

02:30 - Classic advertising rivalries: Mac versus PC, BMW versus Audi

06:56 - Anthropic’s provocative AI ads and the human element in AI branding

09:53 - The strategic choice of mentioning (or not) competitors in ads

19:57 - OpenAI’s ad and social response to Anthropic

27:20 - Coke vs. Pepsi: The iconic beverage rivalry goes polar

34:41 - The effectiveness of visual storytelling and subtle rivalries

39:04 - Reimagining a slightly darker Pepsi ad

42:26 - Smaller beefs: RyanAir versus Elon Musk

45:54 - How humor disarms rivals and humanizes brands

Links to references:

• Anthropic’s Campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De-_wQpKw0s&list=PLf2m23nhTg1OW258b3XBiJME7tgrRk-KI
• Open AI Ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCN9iCXNJqQ
• Sam Altman Tweet: https://x.com/sama/status/2019139174339928189
• Pepsi Ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPHI2zNf_ww
• RyanAir’s Instagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTvXgA7CKgc/

Connect with Hosts:

Mischa Vaughn

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mischavn/
• https://x.com/mischa

Misha Sundukovskiy

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mishasund/

Thanks:

Music by Anjan Mukherjee.

In this episode of Brandzilla, we dissect innovative celebrity collaborations and AI-driven campaigns that are shaping modern branding strategies. Including Shaq's partnership with Replit, Lewis Hamilton and Perplexity, to Google's holiday virtual try-on ads, learn what made these efforts succeed and where they fell short. Also tune in to discover who is the secret Darren Starhead amongst the hosts. 

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Celebrity involvement in AI brand campaigns
• 01:21 - Namedropping section - Barack Obama and Fred Armisen
• 04:33 - Importance of authenticity in celebrity endorsements
• 06:44 - Shaq’s collab with Replit
• 09:49 - Analyzing Shaq’s brand fit and content tone
• 13:23 - Perplexity’s partnership with Lewis Hamilton
• 16:28 - Eric Andre is to Kevin Hart as Lewis Hamilton is to The Rock
• 22:50 - Comparing Perplexity’s messaging consistency
• 26:51 - Google’s holiday virtual try-on campaigns
• 39:20 - The decline of Super Bowl ads and the rise of seasonal YouTube campaigns
• 42:00 - Closing thoughts on celebrity marketing

Resources & Links:

Replit & Campus Shaq video and site:

• Video 1: https://x.com/amasad/status/2005816049971679741
• Video 2: https://x.com/Replit/status/2005790123477045702?s=20
• Website: https://campus.edu/vibe-coding

Perplexity x Lewis Hamilton:

• Announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsq5CfIBtpU
• Video w/ Eric Andre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPp8DhuBsKA
• Blog: https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/perplexity-x-lewis-hamilton

Google Virtual Try On:

• Gabrielle Union & Kirsten Dunst: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPRiyQPdFq8
• Sarah Jessica Parker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ki8_bNW1hA

Connect with Hosts:

Mischa Vaughn

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mischavn/
• https://x.com/mischa

Misha Sundukovskiy

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mishasund/

Thanks:

Music by Anjan Mukherjee.

Join us for Brandzilla's debut episode where we dive deep into the world of robot branding! We explore the latest in robotics from innovative startups like 1X and Sunday Robotics, playful tech from LeLamp and Ongo, to cutting-edge AI models by Skild and Physical Intelligence. 

We'll unravel what works, what flops, and how these brands are trying to win over hearts and homes. Whether it's folding laundry, making coffee, or even dancing in the kitchen, this episode breaks down how these futuristic products are being introduced to the market. Tune in to discover the challenges of bringing robots into homes!

Music by Anjan Mukherjee. 

00:00 Introduction to Brandzilla

00:49 The Rise of Home Robots 

04:21 Favorite Robot Movies

06:54 Humanoid Robots: Neo & Sunday

27:39 LeLamp and Ongo

39:26 Physical Intelligence vs. Skild AI

47:37 Final Thoughts

Links:

1X’s Neo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTYMWadOW7c

Sunday Robotics’ Nemo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjOfpsMRhL4

Ongo: https://x.com/Karim_RC/status/1995538458836959487

LeLamp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZQJfMswoB0

Physical Intelligence: https://x.com/physical_int/status/1990574901795979577?s=20

PI’s website: https://www.pi.website/blog/pistar06

Skild AI: https://x.com/SkildAI/status/1970940614234771579?s=20

Connect with Hosts:

Mischa Vaughn

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mischavn/
• https://x.com/mischa

Misha Sundukovskiy

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mishasund/

Thanks:

Music by Anjan Mukherjee.