The Takeaway: Unscripted

The season one finale ends with a few final thoughts on Elon the entertainer. A few marketing buzzwords Chike and Harrison are placing on the naughty list in the new year. And a few final comments on the trends discussed in the inaugural episode from a year ago. Because strategists should be as eager to amend their opinions as they are to voice them.

Happy holidays to all and to all a good last listen.

Thanks from everyone here at The Takeaway for your support this year!

Audio editing by Alex Forster. Artwork by Zoe Munson. Music by Glow Mechanics.

After letting the acquisition sink in for a bit, Chike and Harrison discuss the future scenarios of the blue-check bird. Before positing what, if any, effect Apple's latest advertising platform will have on consumers. Before finally shifting gears to talk about the reputation of the advertising industry.

Advertising - both the invisible economy underwriting creativity today and the (un)necessary evil interrupting consumers at every turn. Chike and Harrison touch on the record high ad annoyance and avoidance rates today, the maze of mistakes that has led to them, and how marketers and brands can get themselves back into consumer's good graces by acknowledging the reputation we've helped create.

Audio editing by Alex Forster. Artwork by Zoe Munson. Music by Glow Mechanics.

Takeaway hosts Chike and Harrison riff on Walmart's latest venture into the Metaverse, the power of OOH, and the latest QSR beef (pun intended). Before discussing how institutional distrust has heightened expectations for brands today.

Coined the Branded Justice Society of America. The Takeaway unpacks the growing demand for brands to step in and improve societal issues. The challenges that come with living up to that expectation during economic hardships. And how marketers can strike the balance between profit and purpose.

Audio editing by Alex Forster. Artwork by Zoe Munson. Music by Glow Mechanics.

Chike and Harrison give their unsolicited opinions on some recent brand acts from PacSun, Patrón, and Adidas. Before diving into two titans of effectiveness: relevance and differentiation. Can a piece of creative, a holistic campaign, or an entire company do both in today's marketing landscape? And if so, how can your brand's DNA, position in the category, and media approach help you balance the two successfully?

Audio editing by Alex Forster. Artwork by Zoe Munson. Music by Glow Mechanics.

Chike and Harrison dive into how influencers are being used effectively in media today. Discuss some of the narratives working against them. And how brands can get it right more often.

Audio editing by Alex Forster. Artwork by Zoe Munson. Music by Glow Mechanics.

Chike and Harrison discuss Netflix's recent fall in the stock market, the larger relationship between marketing and financial markets, and the pressure it puts on long term branding.

Audio editing by Alex Forster. Artwork by Zoe Munson. Music by Glow Mechanics.

Chike and Harrison dive into the Metaverse. Discussing key issues that brands and marketers should consider before doing the same. Issues like access, self expression, and mobile web fidelity. (A point ironically emphasized by a small WiFi glitch in the first few minutes of this recording - thanks Spectrum.) To accountability, ownership, and the fallacy of a decentralized experience.

Finally, they review recent brand activations in the space with a simple filter that works just as well in the virtual world as it does in the real one. Are you solving a problem?

Audio editing by Alex Forster. Artwork by Zoe Munson. Music by Glow Mechanics.

Amidst the marketing flock's migration from Black History Month to Women's History Month, Chike and Harrison discuss the role service months have in marketing strategies today.

Now that the dust has settled in LA, Essence Strategists Chike and Harrison give their own thoughts on the winning and losing strategies of marketing's biggest moment - the Super Bowl. Consider this podcast your official wrap report for Super Bowl 2022 marketing commentary.

Chike and Harrison talk Twitter's new "Tweet it into existence" campaign. Prada using Jeff Goldblum to market in Milan (and why more brands should focus on marketing to folks his age). And the effects of behavioral targeting's presence on the Senate floor. All before giving their quick fire opinions on 2022 trends and which, if any, are worthy of your resources.