This week, we talk about Pet Marketing.

The pet products industry is worth about $150 billion dollars. And when you love a pet, money is no object.

We’ll listen to a pet food campaign that had dogs conduct a symphony orchestra.

We’ll flip through IKEA’s CAT-alogues and DOG-alogues.

And we’ll explore Dolly Parton’s “Doggy Parton” fashion line.

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This week, it’s our annual “Bookmarks” episode.

We read a lot of books to research this show, and often we stumble on great stories that don’t fit our regular episodes.

So we save them up for this show.

We’ll talk about a new book on SNL producer Lorne Michaels, we’ll take a few notes from a famous songwriter, and we’ll talk about a Bible with a wicked typo.

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This week, we look at how the marketing industry seizes pop culture moments.

We’ll talk about a website that got national attention by making a bold prediction about a TV show.

How A1 Steak Sauce caught the funniest – and luckiest break.

And how Pepsi grabbed a hilarious opportunity by following pizza delivery drivers.

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This week, we look at public service announcements.

PSAs have to compete with - not just other PSAs - but with all other commercials out there.

And do it with an iota of the budget. It requires exceptional creativity. 

We’ll talk about how Elvis got teens to get a polio vaccine, and a drinking & driving commercial recorded by drunk actors. 

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Peter Wilken has over 40 years experience working with the world’s top brands. He has run advertising agency networks around the world. In our far-reaching conversation, Peter brings battle-tested insights to the table, tells us interesting stories about the brands he’s worked for, how to manage creative people, and explains the critical difference between branding and brand building.

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Arkells frontman Max Kerman has written his first book, “Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress.” Max talks about what a lead singer for a band does all day, the nuts and bolts of song writing, how he prepares for a show - but more importantly - Max talks about how the creative process is not all about talent, it’s about curiosity, enthusiasm, and learning how to work hard and enjoy ever minute of it. And in this interview, Max gives you a framework for how to bring more creativity into your life and where to begin.

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It was big news recently that Amazon is taking over creative control of the James Bond franchise.

So this week, we look at how James Bond has been employed to pitch products over the years.

From high-end watches, to beer, liquor and breakfast cereals, 007 has been busy.

And even the Bond villains have been hawking products.

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This week, we have some fun and listen to commercial outtakes.

Just like the movies, there are multiple takes, lots of pressure, and mistakes happen.

Sometimes actors get the words all mixed up to hilarious results.

Sometimes celebrities have melt-downs.

And sometimes professional actors just break down in a fit of the giggles.

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This week, we’ll tell the stories behind some of the most famous – and infamous – sports star endorsements of all time.

We’ll talk about a Rocket Richard commercial that spawned a catchphrase that nearly every Boomer can recite.

We’ll look at a powerful Nike commercial Serena Williams did about women in sports.

And we’ll talk about what it took to put quarterback Joe Namath in pantyhose.

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This week, we ask an interesting question:

What is the busiest day of the year for pizza delivery companies, Airbnb, Emergency Rooms, Maternity Wards, restaurants and dating apps?

What is the busiest day of the year for weddings?

And what is the busiest day of the year for… plumbers?

It’s all fascinating – and often very surprising.

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