Welcome back to Manipulating the Masses – the podcast where two marketers talk marketing and manipulation and how we're really good at both.

This week, we’re diving into the wild origin story and marketing evolution of Coachella, the festival that went from an anti-Ticketmaster rebellion to a $100M+ cultural phenomenon.

We’ll break down:

• How Pearl Jam vs. Ticketmaster sparked a movement

• Five facts you didn’t know about Coachella’s rise

• The marketing playbook: tiered pricing, experiential sponsorships, and influencer domination

• Why brands like Revolve, H&M, AmEx, and Absolut reshaped the desert experience

• How Coachella became ground zero for Instagram culture and the shadow economy of “off-site exclusives”

Uncover what Coachella can teach every marketer, founder, and content creator about building a brand with staying power.

Grab your flower crown — or at least your AirPods — and tune in to find out how main character energy, marketing genius, and perfect lighting turned Coachella into a business empire.

To learn more, visit our website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/

On this episode of Manipulating The Masses, Zach and Kaitlin take a high-stakes dive into the brilliantly deceptive marketing tactics of casinos—from the flashing lights to the subconscious psychological tricks designed to keep people gambling longer. But one of the most powerful tools in the casino industry’s arsenal? Celebrity endorsements.

From A-list actors to athletes and influencers, casinos use big names to add legitimacy to their brand, making high-risk gambling seem like an exclusive, glamorous experience. Whether it’s Shaquille O’Neal promoting WynnBET, Jamie Foxx fronting BetMGM, or even Twitch streamers turning online gambling into entertainment, these endorsements normalize the industry and make it feel like a VIP club instead of a business designed to separate you from your money.

We’ll break down the science of casino marketing, how celebrities lure in new customers, and why gambling empires continue to grow despite mounting controversies and regulatory crackdowns. So, next time you see a celebrity pushing a casino brand, ask yourself: Are they selling you a luxury experience—or just helping the house win?

To learn more about M&P, visit: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/

On this episode of Manipulating The Masses, Zach and Kaitlin break down how Reese Witherspoon transformed herself from rom-com darling into one of Hollywood’s most strategic business moguls. While other actors rely on studios and producers to shape their careers, Reese has positioned herself at every stage of the marketing pipeline—from content creation to book clubs to brand partnerships—ensuring she not only stays relevant but maximizes every dollar.

We explore how her company, Hello Sunshine, capitalized on the demand for female-driven storytelling, scoring massive deals with streamers hungry for content. But the real genius? Reese doesn’t just produce these hit shows—she controls the IP from the start by strategically optioning books before they even become bestsellers, thanks to the power of her Reese’s Book Club. By the time a show like Big Little Lies or Daisy Jones & The Six hits screens, she’s already primed an audience, built demand, and ensured a lucrative payout.

From smart licensing deals to her $900M Hello Sunshine sale, this episode is a deep dive into the Witherspoon playbook—a masterclass in leveraging influence, storytelling, and business acumen to dominate Hollywood on her own terms.

To learn more about M&P, visit: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/

In this episode of Manipulating the Masses, Kaitlin and Zach dive deep into the evolution and marketing genius behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). They explore how Marvel transformed from a struggling comic book company into a global box office powerhouse, thanks to visionary storytelling and innovative marketing strategies.

The episode begins with Marvel’s humble origins, its near-bankruptcy in the 1990s, and the bold decision to create its own film studio, leading to the game-changing release of Iron Man (2008). Kaitlin and Zach break down Marvel’s marketing tactics, from Comic-Con reveals and viral campaigns to strategic brand collaborations and social media dominance. They highlight how Marvel’s post-credit scenes, casting choices, and immersive fan engagement fueled its success.

However, not all has been smooth sailing—Marvel’s recent struggles with films like Eternals and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania show signs of franchise fatigue. The hosts discuss whether Marvel can maintain its dominance and what the future holds for the MCU.

Packed with behind-the-scenes insights, industry analysis, and fan-favorite moments, this episode is a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of entertainment and marketing.

To Learn More About Zach & Kaitlin, Visit: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/

In this episode of Manipulating the Masses, Kaitlin and Zach dive into the evolving marketing strategies of the WNBA and how the league has worked to expand its audience and influence. They explore how the WNBA has leveraged social media, player-driven storytelling, and corporate partnerships to reshape its image and attract a broader fan base.

The hosts break down key moments in the league’s branding evolution, from early struggles with visibility to recent surges in viewership, thanks to stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese drawing national attention. They discuss how the WNBA has successfully positioned itself within cultural movements, tapping into conversations about gender equity, social justice, and representation.

Kaitlin and Zach also analyze the role of digital marketing, including viral highlights, athlete-led content, and strategic collaborations with NBA teams and brands like Nike. They highlight the league’s challenges, including media coverage disparities and ongoing efforts to convert casual viewers into long-term fans.

By the end of the episode, the hosts debate whether the WNBA’s marketing tactics are enough to secure its long-term success or if further innovations are needed. This deep dive reveals how perception and promotion shape the league’s trajectory.

To Learn About M&P, Visit: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/

Bitcoin didn’t just become a trillion-dollar asset because of technology—it became a movement through brilliant marketing, psychological manipulation, and internet culture. In this episode, Zach and Kaitlin break down how FOMO, memes, and celebrity endorsements turned Bitcoin from an obscure digital experiment into a global financial powerhouse.

From the wild price swings that create media frenzy to the rise of HODL culture, "When Lambo?" memes, and crypto evangelists, we explore how Bitcoin sells itself without a marketing team. We also dive into the dark side of Bitcoin's branding, from Ponzi schemes and hacks to government crackdowns.

Then, we look at the latest evolution of hype-driven crypto: meme coins like $HAWK, $TRUMP, and $ESPN. Are they the future of internet-based finance or just another speculative bubble?

If you’ve ever wondered why people keep buying into Bitcoin despite its volatility—or how meme coins can explode overnight—this episode is for you.

🎙 Subscribe to Manipulating The Masses and follow us for more deep dives into the tactics that shape our world!

Learn more about M&P here: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/

The Oscars have been Hollywood’s biggest night for nearly a century, but how has the Academy managed to keep audiences engaged in an era of declining viewership? In this episode of Manipulating The Masses, Zach and Kaitlin break down the history of Oscar marketing—from the studio-controlled campaigns of the Golden Age to today’s aggressive “For Your Consideration” ads.

We’ll explore legendary Oscar campaigns like Shakespeare in Love’s shocking Best Picture win, analyze how digital disruption and streaming have reshaped the ceremony’s relevance, and dive into the Academy’s efforts to combat declining ratings. Why do some years attract blockbuster audiences while others tank? How has the Oscars’ political and cultural evolution impacted its appeal?

With jaw-dropping marketing tactics, strategic voting pushes, and controversial industry shifts, the road to Oscar gold isn’t just about great filmmaking—it’s about knowing how to sell the story. Tune in as we uncover the power of persuasion behind Hollywood’s biggest award.

Subscribe now to Manipulating The Masses and join the conversation!

Learn more about us at: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/

Any cursory search in Pinterest will show millions of boards dedicated to every aspect of a wedding. Dresses, venues, flowers, bridesmaid dresses, makeup artists, centerpieces, photographers, videographers, DJs, favors, catering, officiant - anyone who has been through the process knows the list goes on and on.

With marriage rates in sharp decline, this entire industry is not trying to save their own bottom line by ramping up pricing for each of these services - making the decision of marriage even more cumbersome.

Zach and Kaitlin dig into the tactics all wedding companies use, from planners to venues to flowers and dresses, and how they get people to spend WAY more than that ever planned to get their dream wedding.

Get In Touch: [email protected]

Visit Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/

Hollywood’s influence is nothing new. James Dean and Marlon Brando inspired the T-shirt craze. Marilyn Monroe kept hairdressers across the country busy. Now, the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Aniston, Miles Teller, and Selena Gomez (just to name a few) have used their on-screen influence to launch entire brands.

But what happens when that influence is used to drive demand for a life-saving medical product? That’s what we’re currently seeing with the rapidly increasing popularity of diabetes drugs like Ozempic which have been shown to have a secondary effect of helping patients lose weight quickly.

Popular figures like Elon Musk, Chelsea Handler, Oprah Winfrey, Khloé Kardashian, Amy Schumer, Charles Barkley, Raven Symoné, Kyle Richards, Julia Fox, and Sophie Turner are just a few examples of celebrities that have publicly admitted to using Ozempic.

This cross-culture appeal (and promotion) have created a surge in demand that Ozempic makers, Novo Nordisk, simply can’t meet: spawning competitors and shady solutions from pharmaceutical companies looking to cash in on the craze.

Today, we’ll look at what marketing tactics got us here, and what’s to come for this surge in assisted weight loss.

Get In Touch: [email protected]

Visit Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/

The story of Russia and the 2016 election has been beaten to death. Every news outlet has put its spin on the story, the FBI has released a non-blaming report, and the word everyone has settled on is “meddling”. Russia “meddled” in our election. But what does that mean? And why is it important in 2024?

Well, besides 2024 being another election year featuring two candidates a majority of Americans aren’t that excited about, this year it looks like other players have entered the game to target Americans and manipulate perceptions to influence your vote.

This isn’t changing votes after you cast them or taking out a candidate; it’s simple, legal advertising tactics we use daily that affect how you make decisions. Kaitlin and I use it to convince you what shoes to buy, but state powers have leveraged these same tactics to influence who sits in the Oval Office.

Hopefully, by the end of this episode, you’ll have a better understanding of how countries are using these tactics every day so you can better spot the propaganda that is going to increase exponentially leading up to the November elections.

Get In Touch: [email protected]

Visit Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/