Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
407 episodes - English - Latest episode: 21 days ago - ★★★★★ - 426 ratingsUnder the Influence gives listeners a rare backstage pass into the hallways, boardrooms and recording studios of the ad industry.Join host and adman Terry O’Reilly for fascinating (and humorous) stories that connect the dots between pop culture, marketing and human nature.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episodes
Nooner Nookie: The Allure of Marketing Freebies
May 27, 2023 15:46 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBFor over 100 years, “free” has been one of the most powerful words in the marketing world. And believe it or not, companies love freebies as much as their customers do. Because giving away free products generates a lot of goodwill. And goodwill generates free press. We’ll talk about a ketchup company who gave a man a free boat. A hotel who gave a couple 18 years of free stays because they had nookie in one of their rooms. And we’ll tell the story of how one company helped a teenager wit...
The Phrase That Pays: Marketing Contests
May 20, 2023 15:40 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBMarketing contests can be tricky business. On one hand, contests can be designed to help companies achieve certain business goals. On the other hand, companies can lose control over them pretty quickly. This week, we look at some of the most interesting – and hilarious – marketing contests. Including one about a city that held a contest to name a new building – and the public voted overwhelmingly to name it after a past mayor named Harry Baals. True story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
Canadaland Goes Under The Influence
May 13, 2023 14:27 - 40 minutes - 36.8 MBJesse Brown, founder of Canadaland Podcast Network, and Terry O'Reilly have a fun conversation about the business of podcasting, the line between journalism and advertising and how Terry had to get used to being touched by strangers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Billboards Are Always in Bloom
May 06, 2023 15:45 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBBillboards are one of the biggest creative challenges in the marketing world. They need to be seven words or less. They need to contain an idea. And they need to communicate quickly as people speed by. This week on Under The Influence, we look at the most creative billboards from around the world. We’ll talk about a car maker that used tiny billboards to get inside their competitor’s vehicles. How one airline used a billboard that could detect planes passing overhead....
Brand Envy (2023)
April 29, 2023 15:40 - 30 minutes - 27.5 MBThis week, we take a look at four brands that have found a way to survive for decades. One company has been entertaining crowds with wax for 200 years. One restaurant has been topping their ice cream cones with a unique swirl for over 80 years. Another company teamed up with a certain debonaire spy 60 years ago. And a fourth brand has made a fortune blowing bubbles for over 75 years. Their stories are fascinating. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hitting the Road with Marketing Mobiles
April 22, 2023 15:40 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBYou’ve probably seen those Red Bull Mini Coopers driving around town with the giant Red Bull can on their roofs. This week on Under The Influence, we look at the wild and wacky world of marketing mobiles. They’ve actually been around for over 100 years. We’ll crack open the story behind the Planters Peanut Nutmobiles. We’ll take to the skies to tell you an amazing story behind the famous Goodyear blimps. And we’ll tell the story of the famous Oscar Meyer Wienermobiles. Hosted on Acast...
Johnny Wants the Jet: The Loopy World of Loopholes
April 15, 2023 15:41 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBThere are some very interesting loopholes in the world of marketing. Because businesses are always looking for an upper hand in a competitive category, loopholes can offer legal advantages. A loophole can help a company overcome barriers in the marketplace. Sometimes, the way a product is marketed can give customers a loophole they can take advantage of. And sometimes a 20-year-old kid can spot a loophole that panics a giant corporation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Hard Days & Golden Knights: The World of Brand Twins
April 08, 2023 15:40 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBEven though brand names are often protected by trademarks and copyrights, it’s remarkable how many times companies end up with the same names. And they either get along – or they sue each other into oblivion. This week, we look at “Brand Twins.” We’ll talk about when Guns N’ Roses sued Guns and Rosé. We’ll explain why there used to be the Saskatchewan Roughriders AND the Ottawa Rough Riders in the CFL. And that time Ringo sued the Ring O sex toy company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
Long Overdue: The Creative Boom of Library Marketing (Encore)
April 01, 2023 15:45 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBThis week, we look at the ways libraries market themselves. If you think libraries are quiet, you’ve got another thing coming. We’ll talk about a library video series that played like a TV cop show - and - we’ll look at library wars - when libraries battle each other on social media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Touch The Pickle: Marketing Gender Equality
March 25, 2023 15:50 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MB“What player has won the most Wimbledon singles titles,” Google will tell you it’s Roger Federer with 8 wins. But that’s incorrect. Martina Navratilova has 9. This week, we look at remarkable ideas that promote gender equality. Including an idea called Correct the Internet.com. And one that challenged menstruation taboos with a program called “Touch the pickle.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You Can Check In, But You Can Never Check Out: Branded Hotel Rooms
March 18, 2023 15:56 - 28 minutes - 25.6 MBThis week, we talk about hotel marketing. Specifically, how some hotels attract guests by advertising specific rooms. Some of those rooms are decorated like TV shows, some are inspired by movies, and some hotels advertise the fact something famous – or infamous – happened in their rooms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dish Night at the Movies: Marketing Motion Pictures
March 11, 2023 16:56 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBThis week, we’re talking about the creative ways Hollywood markets films. We’ll talk about how a low-budget horror movie got a ton of press just by asking people to smile. And we’ll examine the marketing of Top Gun: Maverick – the Tom Cruise sequel that Steven Spielberg says single-handedly saved the theatrical industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Commercial From The Black Lagoon: Horror in Advertising
March 04, 2023 16:56 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBThis week we look at horror in advertising. We’ll talk about why the Red Cross produced a horror commercial for blood donations. How Nike had a horror commercial yanked off the air. And a water company that actually cast its product as the villain in a 45-minute horror film. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When You've Got It, Flaunt It: The George Lois Story
February 26, 2023 16:46 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBIn this episode, we talk about one of the legends of the advertising business – George Lois. Out-spoken and fearless, he launched Xerox, helped elect Robert F. Kennedy, designed famous Esquire magazine covers and even once climbed out onto a window ledge to convince a client to buy an idea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Only In Advertising: Stories From The Front Lines (Encore)
February 18, 2023 16:56 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBThis week, I ask my advertising colleagues for their most outrageous ad stories. The advertising business is a big money, high stress industry. And so much can go sideways. Sometimes film shoots go horribly wrong, sometimes clients make the most ridiculous demands, sometimes celebrities refuse to say their lines and sometimes even a James Bond campaign can go up in flames. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Gold, Silver & Spinach: TV Shows As Marketing
February 11, 2023 16:55 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBWith multiple ways to skip commercials at our fingertips, advertisers have found a new way to reach the public. They’re jumping out of commercial breaks and into the storylines of television shows. This week, we look at a list of popular TV shows that aren’t just entertainment. They’re big marketing vehicles for companies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fish Where The Fish Are: Surprising Help Wanted Ads
February 04, 2023 16:56 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBThis week, we take a look at the most creative “help wanted” ads in the world. We’ll talk about how IKEA recruited new workers without needing to buy an ad. How VW found new mechanics by posting ads in the most unusual place. And the amazing ways the intelligence community recruits spies and code breakers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
One Sentence Sermons: The Wit of Church Signs
January 28, 2023 16:56 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBThis week, we take a look at church signs. With congregations declining, churches are using their signs as marketing tools to attract new members. And they’re using humour to do it. We’ll look at the history of funny church signs, we’ll examine how effective they are, we’ll talk about some of the funniest ones we’ve seen, and a few epic church sign fails. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tools for the Family Jewels: Gender Bending Brands
January 21, 2023 16:56 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBThis week, we look at companies that have spent decades advertising to only one gender - then suddenly decide to approach the opposite sex. L’Oreal is now marketing makeup to men. Scotch distillers are now targeting women. And lingerie companies are now designing intimates for men. It’s a brand new, gender-bending world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Willy Wonka Secret: Candy Bar Advertising
January 14, 2023 16:56 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBThis week, we look at candy bar advertising. Millions are spent marketing candy bars every year. We’ll talk about how the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was owned by a candy company. And we’ll reveal whether it really was Phil Collins inside that gorilla costume in that famous Cadbury Dairy Milk commercial. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe comes to Apostrophe
January 11, 2023 12:39 - 3 minutes - 3.04 MBWe are very excited to welcome Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe to the Apostrophe Podcast Network. Each episode will feature two Dave and Morley stories as told by Stuart McLean. And for the first time ever, his longtime producer, Jess Milton, will tell you the backstories behind those stories. I have a story, too. The first time I met Stuart. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
London Bridge Is Down: How The Queen’s Death Affects Marketing
January 07, 2023 16:56 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBTo kick off our 2023 season, we look at how the Queen’s death affects the marketing world. Over 600 companies had been granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Elizabeth, giving them prestige and enviable marketing power. But with the monarch’s death – all Royal Warrants become null and void. It’s now up to King Charles to honour them – or not. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Even More Remarkable Brands (From the AOP Archives)
November 26, 2022 19:35 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBThis week, we feature our annual look at Five Remarkable Brands: A certain scientist who is such a powerful brand that he has displaced other great thinkers, a company that makes our world a little more colourful, a comic book that has enthralled teenagers for over 70 years, a honey of a product that was born in the back of a pick-up truck, and the most Emmy-nominated TV show in broadcast history. Best of all, they’re not only remarkable brands, they’re remarkable stories as well. Hosted on...
Even More Remarkable Brands (AOP 2011)
November 26, 2022 19:35 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBThis week, we feature our annual look at Five Remarkable Brands: A certain scientist who is such a powerful brand that he has displaced other great thinkers, a company that makes our world a little more colourful, a comic book that has enthralled teenagers for over 70 years, a honey of a product that was born in the back of a pick-up truck, and the most Emmy-nominated TV show in broadcast history. Best of all, they’re not only remarkable brands, they’re remarkable stories as well. Hosted on...
Mad Women (AOP 2011)
November 12, 2022 17:18 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBThis week, we look at the Great Women of Advertising. The Hall Of Famers who broke the rules, kicked open the doors and created some of the most famous advertising of our times. We’ll meet the first advertising woman ever, the woman who created the first images of wives as Happy Homemakers, the woman who revolutionized the retail business, the female creative director who inspired the “I Love New York” campaign, as well as some of the top ad women of today. Move over Mad Men, it’s time to ...
Mad Women (From the AOP Archives)
November 12, 2022 17:18 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBThis week, we look at the Great Women of Advertising. The Hall Of Famers who broke the rules, kicked open the doors and created some of the most famous advertising of our times. We’ll meet the first advertising woman ever, the woman who created the first images of wives as Happy Homemakers, the woman who revolutionized the retail business, the female creative director who inspired the “I Love New York” campaign, as well as some of the top ad women of today. Move over Mad Men, it’s time to ...
S3E05 - Marketing Rock and Roll, Part Two
November 05, 2022 21:40 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBThis week, it's Part Two of "Marketing Rock and Roll." As the 1980s unfold, technology changes rock and roll marketing forever, with the arrival of MTV. The launch of MTV is one of the great marketing stories of all time, and it almost went under before it began – but was saved by Mick Jagger and a one dollar bill. We’ll analyze how MTV changed the music business, and how Michael Jackson’s video Thriller changed MTV. We’ll also talk about how the Internet revolutionized the marketing of ro...
Burn The Boats: Brands That Risked and Won (From the AOP Archives)
October 29, 2022 17:17 - 28 minutes - 26 MBThis episode looks at the concept of “Risk.” We tell the stories of the marketers who took the biggest risks, and reaped the greatest rewards – including how one of the best loved movies of all time only survived because the producer risked his career on it, a board game that dared break the conventions of the category, a watch company that risked all and saved the Swiss watch making industry in the process, and a CEO who made a decision that was so unpopular even his board of directors bet ...
Burn The Boats: Brands That Risked and Won (AOP 2011)
October 29, 2022 17:17 - 28 minutes - 26 MBThis episode looks at the concept of “Risk.” We tell the stories of the marketers who took the biggest risks, and reaped the greatest rewards – including how one of the best loved movies of all time only survived because the producer risked his career on it, a board game that dared break the conventions of the category, a watch company that risked all and saved the Swiss watch making industry in the process, and a CEO who made a decision that was so unpopular even his board of directors bet ...
Ageism In Advertising (From the AOP Archives)
October 15, 2022 15:55 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBThis episode is about how the advertising industry covets the 18 to 49 year-old consumer. Almost all advertising is aimed at that demographic, because the conventional wisdom is they have the most disposable income and are most willing to try new brands. But the big surprise is people 55+ are the ones with the most disposable income and spend the most in almost all categories - yet the advertising industry doesn't chase them. We examine why that is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
Ageism In Advertising
October 15, 2022 15:55 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBThis episode is about how the advertising industry covets the 18 to 49 year-old consumer. Almost all advertising is aimed at that demographic, because the conventional wisdom is they have the most disposable income and are most willing to try new brands. But the big surprise is people 55+ are the ones with the most disposable income and spend the most in almost all categories - yet the advertising industry doesn't chase them. We examine why that is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
Ageism In Advertising (AOP 2011)
October 15, 2022 15:55 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBThis episode is about how the advertising industry covets the 18 to 49 year-old consumer. Almost all advertising is aimed at that demographic, because the conventional wisdom is they have the most disposable income and are most willing to try new brands. But the big surprise is people 55+ are the ones with the most disposable income and spend the most in almost all categories - yet the advertising industry doesn't chase them. We examine why that is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
Rejecting Colonel Harland Sanders
October 04, 2022 15:37 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBOne our favourite episodes from our sister podcast, We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast is the inspiring story of Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) and how he overcame unbelievable rejection. It’s hard to imagine that he was rejected over 1,000 times (!) and still continued to persevere. This week, we wanted to bring you this bonus episode to remind us all to Never Ever Give Up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Commercials You Grew Up With (From the AOP Archives)
September 17, 2022 15:56 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBThis week, we talk to baby boomers and take a look at the commercials they grew up with. From the toy and game commercials that inspired your lists to Santa, to the soft drink ads you can still sing along to 40 years later, to the ad for your first underarm deodorant, to the commercial for your first perfume, to the ads aimed at Mom but still got burned into your memory bank. So put on your pajamas and gather round the radio. And remember one thing – you have to be in bed by the time Bonan...
The Commercials You Grew Up With (AOP 2011)
September 17, 2022 15:56 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBThis week, we talk to baby boomers and take a look at the commercials they grew up with. From the toy and game commercials that inspired your lists to Santa, to the soft drink ads you can still sing along to 40 years later, to the ad for your first underarm deodorant, to the commercial for your first perfume, to the ads aimed at Mom but still got burned into your memory bank. So put on your pajamas and gather round the radio. And remember one thing – you have to be in bed by the time Bonan...
Marketing Rock and Roll, Part One
September 05, 2022 16:38 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBIn part one of a two-part series, we’ll trace the marketing of rock all the way back to its origins with Elvis Presley and his wily manager Colonel Tom Parker. We’ll tell the story of how the Beatles lost millions by not following Elvis’s blueprint, and how the Rolling Stones borrowed a page right out of the books of Madison Avenue to compete against the Fab Four. Plus, what show on marketing rock and roll would be complete without mentioning the biggest marketing machine in the history of ...
S3E04 - Marketing Rock and Roll, Part One
September 05, 2022 16:38 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBIn part one of a two-part series, we’ll trace the marketing of rock all the way back to its origins with Elvis Presley and his wily manager Colonel Tom Parker. We’ll tell the story of how the Beatles lost millions by not following Elvis’s blueprint, and how the Rolling Stones borrowed a page right out of the books of Madison Avenue to compete against the Fab Four. Plus, what show on marketing rock and roll would be complete without mentioning the biggest marketing machine in the history of ...
AOP Goes to the Movies (AOP 2011)
September 03, 2022 16:38 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBThis week, Age of Persuasion Goes To The Movies. Just in time for the Oscars, we look at great movie marketing, and talk about the landmark movies that completely altered the way Hollywood sells its films (Yes, one of them involves a shark, but the movie that made the shark possible has a little karate in it). We’ll also feature some of the most inventive movie ads ever done, and trace the history of movie trailers - which were originally created to drive people OUT of theatres, not into the...
AOP Goes to the Movies (From the AOP Archives)
September 03, 2022 16:38 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBThis week, Age of Persuasion Goes To The Movies. Just in time for the Oscars, we look at great movie marketing, and talk about the landmark movies that completely altered the way Hollywood sells its films (Yes, one of them involves a shark, but the movie that made the shark possible has a little karate in it). We’ll also feature some of the most inventive movie ads ever done, and trace the history of movie trailers - which were originally created to drive people OUT of theatres, not into the...
Marketing Pioneers (From the AOP Archives)
August 20, 2022 15:53 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBIn this episode, we look at the Marketing Pioneers who created products that created industries. We talk about the first company to link diamond rings to engagements, how alcohol inspired the very first travel agent, how a brainstorm while ice-fishing ignited a $97 billion dollar industry, how a traveling salesman and his date led to the first car rental, and how an embarrassing moment in a restaurant revolutionized the way we shop. Each pioneer was a visionary, each overcame almost insurmoun...
Marketing Pioneers (AOP 2011)
August 20, 2022 15:53 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBIn this episode, we look at the Marketing Pioneers who created products that created industries. We talk about the first company to link diamond rings to engagements, how alcohol inspired the very first travel agent, how a brainstorm while ice-fishing ignited a $97 billion dollar industry, how a traveling salesman and his date led to the first car rental, and how an embarrassing moment in a restaurant revolutionized the way we shop. Each pioneer was a visionary, each overcame almost insurmoun...
Candid Commercials: Real People in Advertising (From the AOP Archives)
August 06, 2022 15:56 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBThe advertising industry has a long history of using real people in advertising. It may be a testimonial, a hidden camera, a man-on-the-street interview, a prank phone call or a blind taste test. The results are often hilarious and memorable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Candid Commercials: Real People in Advertising (AOP 2011)
August 06, 2022 15:56 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBThe advertising industry has a long history of using real people in advertising. It may be a testimonial, a hidden camera, a man-on-the-street interview, a prank phone call or a blind taste test. The results are often hilarious and memorable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's Not Easy Being Green: Green Marketing (From the AOP Archives)
July 23, 2022 15:56 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBThis week, Terry O'Reilly looks at the ever-changing world of Green Marketing. He'll look back at how the green movement started, how it's evolved, how marketers navigate the shoals of green marketing today - and what it all means to everyday consumers. One thing for sure... it's not easy being green. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's Not Easy Being Green: Green Marketing (AOP 2011)
July 23, 2022 15:56 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBThis week, Terry O'Reilly looks at the ever-changing world of Green Marketing. He'll look back at how the green movement started, how it's evolved, how marketers navigate the shoals of green marketing today - and what it all means to everyday consumers. One thing for sure... it's not easy being green. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Luxury Advertising (AOP 2011)
July 15, 2022 01:11 - 28 minutes - 26 MBLuxury Marketing is a category that is completely different from traditional brand marketing – because it is in the business of selling fantasy. We’ll look at the top 10 most powerful luxury brands in the world and we’ll delve deep into our collective psyches to examine why we all desire expensive products in our lives -and what that really says about our inner selves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Luxury Advertising (From the AOP Archives)
July 15, 2022 01:11 - 28 minutes - 26 MBLuxury Marketing is a category that is completely different from traditional brand marketing – because it is in the business of selling fantasy. We’ll look at the top 10 most powerful luxury brands in the world and we’ll delve deep into our collective psyches to examine why we all desire expensive products in our lives -and what that really says about our inner selves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus Episodes from Age of Persuasion 2011
July 12, 2022 00:41 - 1 minute - 1.04 MBWe're re-releasing all the episodes from the last season of Age of Persuasion in 2011. All episodes have been remastered to fit our Under The Influence format. Episodes drop every two weeks from now until November. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S11E25 - Ask Terry (2022)
June 25, 2022 15:55 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBThis week, it’s our annual Ask Terry episode – where I answer listener questions. This year, someone wants to know which advertising category does the worst advertising, which celebrities were the most fun to work with and why the roads in car commercials are always so darn wet. You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S11E24 - Arch Enemies
June 18, 2022 15:56 - 27 minutes - 25 MBThis week, we look at some of the biggest arch rivalries in the marketing business. We’ll tell a story about how Burger King figured out a way to offer Whoppers at McDonald’s, how Wendy’s threw a mixtape at their rivals and how the CEO of a pizza company set fire to a cease & desist letter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.