Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
397 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 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
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 (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 ...
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 ...
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 (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...
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...
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 (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...
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...
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 (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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
S11E23 - Bookmarks 2022
June 11, 2022 15:56 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBThis week it’s our annual Bookmarks episode – where we tell the great stories that didn’t fit into our regular episodes. Including a story about Frankenstein, one about the waffle iron that inspired Nike and a very funny story about a presidential campaign billboard that mistakenly featured the wrong candidate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S11E22 - Brand Envy 2022
June 04, 2022 15:56 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBThis week, I tell the stories of four of my favourite brands. One holds the record for the most Oscar wins, one was a kid’s animated show produced by a church, another became one of the best-selling toys of all time and one found a way to cut through late-night TV. And all lasted for decades. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S11E21 - "Rule Breakers"
May 28, 2022 15:56 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBThis week, the topic is rule breakers. It takes a courageous advertiser to flout the rules. The results can either be a goldmine or a landmine. We’ll talk about a burger chain that dared show moldy food in its advertising and a rule-breaking stunt involving the NRA that you won’t soon forget. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S11E20 - Brilliantly Bland: Why Boring Sells
May 21, 2022 15:57 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBThis week, we look at boring products. There is a truism in the marketing world - boring sells. And in some of the biggest categories, boring products are the runaway best-sellers. Why do we overwhelmingly choose white cars, gray wall paint and beige carpets? And what does that say about us? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Rejecting The Rubik's Cube
May 14, 2022 21:32 - 42 minutes - 39 MBIn case you missed it, the team behind Under The Influence started a podcast network. We wanted to bring you a bonus episode this week from one of our other podcasts titled, "We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast." This episode is about how the Rubik's Cube faced endless rejection as a toy - before finally finding success. Now over 450 million Rubik's Cubes have been sold. It's a story full of twists and turns. If you like what you hear, there are over 40 episodes to dive into. E...
S11E18 - Confessions of a Book Lover: The Art of Marketing Books
May 07, 2022 15:57 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBThis week, we look at how books are advertised and marketed. Over 2.2 million new books are published every year - so how do books get noticed? One bookstore uses movies to sell books, another gets prison inmates to write book reviews and one grocery store breaks all the rules by putting books in the vegetable section. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S11E17 - Put A Tiger in Your Tank: Advertising Gets Animated
April 30, 2022 16:18 - 27 minutes - 25 MBThis week, we look at the history of animated commercials. One of the very first hit the air in 1941 - for “crinkle-proof ties.” Next came Reddy Kilowatt, to quell the public’s fear of electricity in the home. Then Esso’s Put a Tiger in Your Tank tangled with Kellogg’s Tony the Tiger - and that’s when the fur started to fly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S11E16 - Only in Advertising: Stories from the Front Lines
April 23, 2022 15:57 - 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.
S11E15 - Surprising Origin Stories
April 16, 2022 15:59 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBThis week on Under The Influence, we tell the surprising origin stories of some famous products and brands. Because sometimes, backstories have backstories. We’ll tell a surprising tale about Coca Cola and the Civil War. We’ll delve into the bootlegger background of NASCAR. And we’ll tell the story of how the Lamborghini supercar began with a tractor… and an insult. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S11E14 - From Batawa To Port Sunlight: The Story of Company Towns
April 09, 2022 15:57 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBThis week, we look at cities and towns that are actually named after companies. We’ll talk about one town named after a shoe company, one named for a chocolate bar and another town that’s even named after a dish soap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.