Commercial Grade Podcast

If you work in advertising -- or even if you don't -- you've surely heard about the "Digital" wave. Many marketers, advertisers and agency people are enamored with the digital landscape but often get it wrong; chasing digital trends and wasting valuable marketing dollars on low-impact digital channels. Don Lupo, an LA advertising executive who has spent his career in digital production, joins Commercial Grade to demystify all things "digital." Don explains the ins and outs of digital production, breaks down the consumer journey and digital production process, and shares exactly what marketers need to do to get "digital" right.

Christie answers your biggest questions around advertising campaigns. Bryan Bishop, aka Bald Bryan on the Adam Carolla Show podcast, joins the show to represent the "voice of the listener."

Last week, ThinkLA's hosted its annual Entertainment Breakfast where I had the great honor of moderating an all-star panel of executives who've shifted their careers from TV programming to podcast production. This episode features that fantastic discussion with panelists including Kjerstin Beatty (SVP Media Partnerships, NBC Universal), Kelly Garner, (Founder & CEO, Treefort), Hernan Lopez (Founder & CEO, Wondery), Joe Shields (VP Connections, iHeartMedia).

Rich DeMuro, aka "Rich on Tech" and TV tech reporter for KTLA 5, joins Commercial Grade to talk about his career as a tech reporter, how he's built relationships with the Google/Apple/Samsungs of the world as a local reporter, how brands try to solicit his reviews and what you should look for when buying the latest phones/computers. Rich also tells us which apps you cannot live without, whether it's for working out, cord cutting, video editing, password management, neighborhood safety, etc.

In Part Two of "Behind the Music," Anthony Marinelli gives us his professional perspective on ads from Gatorade, Farmers Insurance, Cadillac and Apple. He also breaks down the mechanics of a composing a hit jingle, sharing famous jingles he's created for Disneyland, Big Red, Doublemint Gum, Jolly Green Giant, US Bank and more. You'll definitely be singing these to yourself by the end of the episode!

Meija Jacobs, an 11-year IDEO veteran, takes us inside IDEO and demystifies its design-led thinking philosophy. Learn how IDEO operates, how its teams are organized, its proprietary brainstorming and prototyping techniques, and its commitment to making a positive impact on the world. As Senior Director of its Design For Food division, Meija also details IDEO's work on the food pipeline, alternative proteins, cellular agriculture (think Impossible Burgers) and envisioning a future using food as medicine.

Tim Nudd, former Creative Editor of AdWeek and current Editor-in-Chief of Muse by Clio, joins Commercial Grade to talk about his career as a professional advertising critic, his approach to evaluating creative, how advertising has changed over the years, the power of the consumer, and the best and worst creative of the 2018 and 2019. We also review ads from Burger King, Reebok, McDonald's and Facebook.

Y'all keep asking about local car commercials and the expert is on this week's episode! Jill Jagger, a 25-year veteran of the auto dealer world, joins me to answer your questions about how dealerships work, why local car ads tend to be awful, the relationship between car brands and their dealers, incentives, how and when to buy a car, and FINALLY address the debate about why car commercials feature neutral license plates!

In a world filled with disingenuous sales pitches and misleading claims, is it possible for advertising to have soul? Kirk Souder, Executive Creative Director and current co-founder of spiritual impact agency, Enso, joins Christie for a deeply revealing conversation on how individuals and organizations can free themselves from self-imposed limiting beliefs, tap into their authentic energy, and create a long-lasting positive impact. If you're an Oprah fan, this episode is basically advertising's version of a "Super Soul Sunday" conversation, full of brand awakening and corporate enlightenment.