It seems like not a week goes by without another article raising the alarm about the next recession. As business leaders, it’s important to separate the media soundbite from reality while still planning for an economic slowdown when it invariably arrives. In this episode, we provide 5 tangible strategies for businesses to recession-proof and turn these downturns into marketing opportunities.

Ad-lympics - Dream Car (Principal Financial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ts6vy7LfUA

Are you at risk of being mocked with #okboomer? In this episode, we’ll be discussing Gen Zs and their behaviors. From VSCO girls to finstas to TikTok, how can marketers make in-roads with this elusive but influential and fast-rising demographic? Tune in to hear from our resident Gen-Z expert on what differentiates this generation from the millennials and the new set of strategies marketers need to reach this next generation.

Ad-lympics - Make Your Day (TikTok): https://www.ispot.tv/ad/o4Hs/tiktok-make-your-day

What do the original Apple Maps and X-Men Dark Phoenix have in common? Answer: they were heavily promoted, but ultimately flopped in the marketplace. In this episode, we tackle the topic of whether good marketing can save a bad product, examining how social media plays an oversized role in influencing how consumers make purchase decisions. We’ll also be introducing “Ad-lympics”, a new segment where Peter and Gisella watch and score a commercial. 

Ad-lympics - The Basset Hounds (Facebook): https://youtu.be/cTRR92URXpo

It’s no secret that most people hate ads. The bombardment of telemarketing, pop-up ads, email spamming, and social media scandals has only added to the annoyance and mistrust of the industry. In this episode, we share our thoughts on how marketers and advertisers can change perceptions by putting “trust” back as a fundamental core of our work. 

How Americans view 25 industries (2019)
https://news.gallup.com/poll/266060/big-pharma-sinks-bottom-industry-rankings.aspx

It’s no surprise that A-List celebrities like Taylor Swift and the Kardashians have millions of social media followers. The real surprise is that a recent research study found that nearly half of their followers are allegedly fake! In this episode, we discuss the growing influencer marketing industry and perils that fake followers have on social trust. What strategies can companies adopt to avoid the pitfalls and be part of the social influence trend?

Who has the most fake followers? 
https://www.icmp.ac.uk/fake-followers/

What does Equinox, Uber, Prada have in common? They are all brands that have been recently “cancelled”! In this episode, we share our POV on the rise of online cancellation culture, ways brands can avoid being socially tarnished, and how to respond if the social media pitchforks come after you.

It seems like everywhere we look, dated brands are making a comeback. From TV show reboots with 80’s themed storylines to defunct fashion labels, the once-forgotten are culturally hip again. In this episode, we discuss the power of nostalgia and how companies can use our affection for the past to their advantage.

A Taco Bell-themed hotel, a Hot Cheetos fashion show, a Colonel Sanders video game… branded experiences are popping up everywhere. In this episode, we discuss the rise of so-called “Instagrammable” experiences, what makes experiential marketing successful, and why companies need to consider going beyond simply having a booth at an expo.

What was staying at The Bell like? https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/we-spent-a-night-at-the-taco-bell-hotel-where-everything-is-supremely-on-brand/

KFC lets you date Colonel Sanders in their new game https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/kfc-dating-sim-hot-colonel-sanders-video-game

The incredibly orange Hot Cheetos fashion show https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/d3a3zw/inside-the-dazzling-incredibly-orange-cheetos-fashion-show

Have you taken an online digital marketing lesson or wondered what these courses actually teach you? In this episode, we discuss what we believe are the real skills you need to be a successful marketer and what you can do to brush up on your knowledge.

How To Win Friends and Influence People https://www.amazon.com/dp/1439167346/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_iDSPDbRJ6RYH7

Ogilvy on Advertising https://www.amazon.com/dp/039472903X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_1FSPDb4NZFXRT

The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060007737/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_RGSPDbJHE2J68