What do robot dogs, Meadow Soprano, WeatherTech bumper protectors and Dr. Evil have in common? They were al featured in ads during Super Bowl LVI, that annual celebration of American consumerism. In what's become a War on Cars tradition, we analyze car commercials that aired during the big game and try to figure out what they say about the future of streets near you. This time, we're joined by journalist Amy Westervelt, whose podcasts cover everything from climate change to the history of propaganda and public relations. Amy helps us connect the dots between early PR efforts by oil companies, tobacco companies and the marketing techniques used by car companies today.

***This episode is sponsored by Radpower Bikes.***

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LINKS:

Learn all about Amy Westervelt and check out her podcasts Rigged, Drilled and more from the Critical Frequency podcast network.

Listen to Hot Take, Amy's podcast with Mary Annaïse Heglar.

Follow Amy on Twitter.

Watch all the 2022 Super Bowl commercials. (AdAge)

Dr. Evil needs to save the world from climate change with EVs before he can take over the world. (Automotive News)

Pick up some official War on Cars merch at our store.

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This episode was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. It was edited by Ali Lemer. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Ad music: My Great Undoing by Of Men and Wolves and Micro Evolution by Howard Harper-Barnes courtesy of Epidemic Sound.

 

Our logo is by Dani Finkel of Crucial D.

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