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
S9E26 - Ask Terry 2020
June 25, 2020 00:10 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBWell, this week it’s our annual show where we answer listener questions. Like - why the most popular Super Bowl commercial chose to replace their lead actor, why Gatorade’s famous Be Like Mike campaign called Michael Jordan “Mike” when no one ever called him that before and we’ll answer the age-old question - why are there so many bad ads? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E25 - You Must Remember This: The Mandela Effect
June 18, 2020 00:10 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBThis week we’re talking about the Mandela Effect. It is defined as “collective false memory.” That means many of us remember things incorrectly and we all remember them incorrectly the same way. From famous movie lines to song lyrics to details of traumatic events and even to famous commercials, we all think our memories are time-stamped videos of our lives. But they are not. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E24 - Branding A Disease
June 10, 2020 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25 MBThis week, we explore the branding of diseases. Over the course of history, diseases have been named after people and countries with devastating effects. Names have stigmatized entire regions, decimated industries and have even caused diplomatic crises. And countries have weaponized diseases for political purposes. As with all branding, words matter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E23 - Bookmarks 2020
June 04, 2020 00:10 - 27 minutes - 24.7 MBThis week, it’s our annual Bookmarks episode - where we tell fascinating stories from our research that didn't make it into the regular season. We’ll talk about a book that maintains if you build a better mousetrap, the world will NOT beat a path to your door. And we’ll tell a story from a biography of Bruce Lee that proves sometimes the only way to sell a product is to increase its price. Throw on your reading glasses and join us for Bookmarks 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
S9E21 - Fix It Again, Tony: Brand Nicknames
May 21, 2020 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBSome people call Under The Influence UTI for short. It’s not a good nickname. But some brand nicknames are positive and extremely valuable - like Coke and Chevy - and some nicknames like “Whole Paycheck” don’t make Whole Foods happy. Join us this week as we explore the implications of brand nicknames. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E20 - Setting The Table: Best Opening Stories
May 14, 2020 00:09 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBEvery episode of Under The Influence begins with an opening story. And after more than 300 episodes, we’ve told over 300 opening stories. This week, we look back at the ones that generated the most listener feedback - from a story about a one-armed martial artist to the unorthodox ways lovers communicated in the Victorian era to the story of the greatest racehorse of all time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E19 - Flip, Flop or Fly: The World of Test Markets
May 07, 2020 00:09 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MB80 to 90% of new product launches fail. So to lower the risk, companies do trial runs. This week, we explore Test Markets - where companies launch new products in small towns to see if shoppers pay attention. We’ll tell the stories of successful product launches as well as a few notable product disasters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E18 - Talk Ain’t Cheap: How Conversations Impact Business
April 30, 2020 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBThis week, we explore how business can be won or lost with spontaneous off-hand remarks. Not all advertising business is conducted in a boardroom or in commercials. Sometimes somebody says something in an elevator, or in a speech or in a doorway that leads to winning an account - or losing it. Talk ain’t cheap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E16 - Brand Envy 2020
April 16, 2020 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBThis week, it’s our annual Brand Envy episode, where I tell the stories behind some of the brands I admire. We’ll talk about a romance novel company that was started by a fur trader, an empire created by a cartoonist and a certain cream cheese with its very own spokes-angel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E15 - Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking: Advertising Torture Tests
April 09, 2020 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBThis week, we explore the world of torture tests. Torture test commercials are one of the advertising industry’s most powerful techniques - because when a product can survive a dramatic test, it can convince a lot of people to buy the product. Unless, that is, the torture test goes very wrong… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E14 - Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down: The New World of Online Reviews
April 02, 2020 00:09 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBThis week, we explore the world of online reviews. These days, you can leave a review for anything - from a cup of coffee to your dentist. 90% of us read online reviews before buying a product - that’s why those reviews are so influential. Yet how do you tell fake ones from the real thing? Thumbs up or thumbs down, welcome to the world of online reviews. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E13 - Lend Us Your Ears: The Intimate Art of ASMR Marketing
March 26, 2020 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25 MBThis week, we explore the quiet world of ASMR marketing. ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It’s a new form of marketing that creates a calming feeling often accompanied by a tingling sensation. Marketers create that experience using sound effects and whispers. Everything from beer brands to fast food restaurants are using it - hoping that tingling sensation leads to a cash register. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E11 - For Better or For Worse: Wedding Marketing
March 12, 2020 00:09 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBDum dum da dum. This week, we explore the lucrative world of Wedding Marketing. Weddings are big, big business. As a result, the wedding industry is a big marketing category. From invitations and flowers to dresses and cakes, weddings are an $80 billion-dollar industry. And planning the perfect wedding day is a lot of pressure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E10 - Come Fly With Me: Airports Are Now Brands
March 05, 2020 00:10 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBThis week, we explore how airports are now becoming brands. You may not know it, but airports compete against each other for business. That intense rivalry has led to the complete transformation of airports - they now have movie theatres, skating rinks, rooftop pools and top retail stores. These days, airports are destinations unto themselves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E09 - Search Parties: The Relentless Hunt For New Customers
February 27, 2020 00:10 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBThis week, we explore the surprising ideas companies use to attract new customers. Like “Finger Lickin’ Good” nail polish from KFC. Or NASCAR’s partnership with Harlequin romance novels. The search for new customers is endless. And the resulting marketing is endlessly fascinating. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E08 - The Name Game: Brand Names In Different Countries
February 20, 2020 00:09 - 27 minutes - 25 MBThis week, we explore why companies change valuable brand names when expanding to other countries. Sometimes the reason is a language issue. But other times, the reasons are far more interesting. For example, Mr. Clean is called Meister Proper in Germany and Maestro Lindo in Italy. And the reason it’s hard to find a Burger King in Australia is the most curious story of all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E06 - Set Jetting: Film Locations As Tourism Marketing
February 06, 2020 00:09 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBThis week, we look at the phenomenon of Set Jetting. That’s when tourists flock to a city to see the sets and locations where their favourite TV shows and movies are filmed. Some towns have embraced set jetting as new-found tourism marketing. Other towns absolutely resent it. It’s a fascinating love/hate relationship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E05 - Sound + Vision: Album Covers As Marketing, Part Two
January 30, 2020 00:09 - 27 minutes - 24.7 MBThis week, it’s Part Two of our Album Covers As Marketing episode. In the 1980’s, album covers shrunk down for the first time to accommodate CDs. And in the 2000s, the advent of iPods shrunk them again to the size of a postage stamp. Forcing album artwork to become highly creative. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E04 - Sound + Vision: Album Covers As Marketing
January 23, 2020 00:09 - 27 minutes - 24.7 MBThis week on Under the Influence, we analyze album covers as marketing. We’ll look at a world famous record cover that was almost ruined by a zipper, why flights at Heathrow Airport had to be grounded for one band’s cover art and which album jacket is considered to be the worst of all time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E03 - Putting Fans In Stands: How Sports Teams Sell Tickets
January 16, 2020 00:09 - 27 minutes - 25 MBThis week, we look at the fascinating ways sports teams market themselves. We’ll unpack why one stadium replaced its ushers with librarians, why another encouraged fans to wear “awful" clothes and how a grammatical error put Toronto on the map. It all comes down to a strategic…game plan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E02 - Goliath Meet David: Small Brands That Beat The Big Boys
January 09, 2020 00:09 - 27 minutes - 25 MBThis week, we analyze how small brands outsmart their giant counterparts. We’ll look at a snack food company with a cult-like following that outsells Frito-Lay in Baltimore. A tiny soda brand that obliterates Coca Cola in Scotland. And a bubble gum-flavoured drink that beats all the big boys only in Peru. Goliath, meet David. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9E01 - Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel: Marketing TV Shows
January 02, 2020 00:09 - 26 minutes - 24 MBThis week, we step into the highly competitive world of Television Marketing. Between Netflix, Amazon and Crave, the marketing of TV shows has become a rat-race. And in a world where we can watch anything anytime, luring viewers back each week calls for some outside the box marketing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're Back January 2nd
December 27, 2019 05:09 - 1 minute - 1.97 MBWe’ve got a fun 2020 season planned for you. Here’s a sneak peek at what's in store...
S5E18 (Archive) - Grab Your Wallet: When Brands Go Political
November 21, 2019 00:09 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, we explore how brands are becoming political for the first time in history. We’ll look at what happens when major retailers decide to “Dump Trump,” the controversial Super Bowl ad that challenged an immigration policy and crashed the Internet and how even Pepsi could drop the political ball. Years ago, most advertisers would have never dreamed of offending anyone with a pulse and a wallet. But all that is changing. This is an archived episode that aired on...
S8E25 - Ask Terry 2019
June 20, 2019 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBThis week, it’s the final episode of our 2019 season: Ask Terry. And as we do every year, we’re turning this show over to you, our listeners, and answering your questions on the air. From whether subliminal advertising exists, to if my career has made me a cynical consumer, to which of the Beatles was the best marketer, this year’s questions were fun and insightful. Oh - and you’ll get a chance to meet the team, too. Hope you’ll join us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
S8E25 (Archive) - Ask Terry 2019
June 20, 2019 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, it’s the final episode of the 2019 season: Ask Terry. And as we do every year, we’re turning this show over to you, our listeners, and answering your questions on the air. From whether subliminal advertising exists, to Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E24 (Archive) - God Save The Commercial: When Ads Are Banned
June 13, 2019 00:08 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, we look at Banned Commercials. The majority of the time, ads are banned for being sexist or too suggestive. But many commercials are banned for other, more fascinating reasons. Sometimes bans cripple a campaign, other Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E24 - God Save The Commercial: When Ads Are Banned
June 13, 2019 00:08 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBThis week, we look at banned commercials. The majority of the time, ads are banned for being sexist or too suggestive. But many commercials are banned for other, more fascinating reasons. Sometimes bans cripple a campaign, other times they’re puzzling, but more often than not, they’re rocket fuel. Hope you’ll join us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E23 - The Risk in the Asterisk: Fine Print & Advertising Disclaimers
June 06, 2019 00:07 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBThis week, we unpack the nuanced world of Advertising Disclaimers. We’ll look at the most absurd product disclaimers of all time, why a shocking disclaimer on a brand of Lays chips sparked a 50% drop in sales and the Presidential attack ads that changed political disclaimers forever. It really puts the “risk” in asterisk. Hope you’ll join us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E23 (Archive) - The Risk in the Asterisk: Fine Print & Advertising Disclaimers
June 06, 2019 00:07 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, we unpack the nuanced world of Advertising Disclaimers. We'll look at the most absurd product disclaimers of all time, why a shocking disclaimer on a brand of Lays chips sparked a 50% drop in sales and the presidential Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E22 (Archive) - Bookmarks 2019
May 30, 2019 00:06 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, it's our annual Bookmarks episode - where we tell fascinating stories from our research that didn't make it into the regular season. Like - why Beatles producer George Martin was first assigned to the Fab Four as punis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E22 - Bookmarks 2019
May 30, 2019 00:06 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBThis week, it’s our annual Bookmarks episode - where we tell fascinating stories from our research that didn’t make it into the regular season. Like - the shocking reason Beatles producer George Martin first met the Fab Four. Why an episode of Mary Tyler Moore was considered to be so morbid that a brand new director had to be brought in to handle it tastefully. And why there were blank spaces in Bill Murray’s original Caddyshack script. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...
S8E21 - Brand Envy 2019
May 23, 2019 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBThis week, it’s our annual look at brands I admire. They may not be the coolest or the biggest brands – but they’re fascinating studies in marketing. From a record store with a sense of humour to a cartoon with virtually no dialogue, this year’s list gives me a mean case of Brand Envy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E21 (Archive) - Brand Envy 2019
May 23, 2019 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, it's our annual look at brands I admire. They may not be the coolest or the biggest brands - but they're fascinating studies in marketing. From a record store with a sense of humour to a cartoon with virtually no dialo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E20 (Archive) - To Bleep Or Not To Bleep: Vulgar Trademarks
May 16, 2019 00:09 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, we look at the use of profanity in marketing and the resulting upsurge in Vulgar Trademarks. Four-letter words aren't just sought out by small, feisty companies looking for attention anymore, but by some of the largest Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E20 - To Bleep Or Not To Bleep: Vulgar Trademarks
May 16, 2019 00:09 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBThis week, we look at the use of profanity in marketing and the resulting upsurge in Vulgar Trademarks. Four-letter words aren’t just sought out by small, feisty companies looking for attention anymore, but by some of the largest advertisers in the world. Is it obscene, or is it free speech? These days, I swear it’s hard to tell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E19 - Selling The Dream: Real Estate Advertising (An Encore Presentation)
May 09, 2019 00:09 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBThis week, we look at the fine art of selling the dream. The world of Real Estate Marketing has its own rules, its own techniques and its own unique breed of sales people. We'll tell the story of how the word "Realtor" was reluctantly blessed by Merriam-Webster, why so many real estate agents use photos of themselves as a marketing tactic and what happens when the real estate business tries enticing buyers using... humour. It's a form of marketing that touches all of us and it usually in...
S8E19 (Archive) - Selling The Dream: Real Estate Advertising (An Encore Presentation)
May 09, 2019 00:09 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, in an encore broadcast, we look at the fine art of selling the dream. The world of Real Estate Marketing has its own rules, its own techniques and its own unique breed of salespeople. We'll tell the story of how the wo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E18 - Under The Influence of My Influences
May 02, 2019 00:09 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBThis week, I’ll be sharing some of the major influences in my life that helped inform my thinking and shape my career. Including a snowplow ad from my childhood, the sound effects from one very specific cartoon, hilarious actors I worked with and seeing the corner of a billboard flapping in the wind. It’s a little lesson in who’s had me under the influence... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E18 (Archive) - Under The Influence of My Influences
May 02, 2019 00:09 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, I'll be sharing some of the major influences in my life that helped inform my thinking and shape my career. Including a snowplow ad from my childhood, the sound effects from one very specific cartoon, hilarious actors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E17 - Best Product In A Leading Role: Celebrity CEOs
April 25, 2019 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25 MBThis week, we look at celebrities with their own brands. From a small town general store owned by a comedian to a cosmetics empire started by an 18-year-old to a winery that was funded by the Godfather movies - a few of them are even billion-dollar enterprises. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E17 (Archive) - Best Product In A Leading Role: Celebrity CEOs
April 25, 2019 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, we look at celebrities with their very own brands. From a small town general store owned by a comedian to a cosmetics empire started by an 18-year-old to a winery that was funded by the Godfather movies - a few of them Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E16 (Archive) - Red Sheep: The Power of Word-Of-Mouth Advertising
April 18, 2019 00:10 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, we explore Word-of-Mouth Advertising. Most businesses hope good products and excellent service are enough to encourage positive recommendations. But the smartest companies actually have strategies to ignite word-of-mou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E16 - Red Sheep: The Power of Word-Of-Mouth Advertising
April 18, 2019 00:10 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBThis week, we explore Word of Mouth Advertising. Most businesses hope good products and excellent service are enough to encourage positive recommendations. But the smartest companies actually have strategies to ignite word-of-mouth chatter. It’s the oldest form of advertising, but it’s the most effective by far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E15 - Little Big Towns: Roadside Attractions As Marketing
April 11, 2019 00:09 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBThis week, we explore roadside attractions as marketing. Interesting and often quirky landmarks that put small towns on the map. We’ll look at one town that leveraged its name to bring in thousands of TV fans, one that built a giant animal statue to get highway drivers to take a detour and another that built a monument to attract both human and non-human visitors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S8E15 (Archive) - Little Big Towns: Roadside Attractions As Marketing
April 11, 2019 00:09 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, we explore roadside attractions as marketing. Interesting and often quirky landmarks that put small towns on the map. We'll look at one town that leveraged its name to bring in thousands of TV fans, one that built a gi Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3E05 (Archive) - Marketing Rock 'n' Roll - Part II
April 08, 2019 16:00 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: This week, it's Part Two of "Marketing Rock 'n' Roll." As the 1980s unfold, technology changes rock 'n' 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 revolutionize...
S3E04 (Archive) - Marketing Rock 'n' Roll - Part I
April 08, 2019 16:00 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: In 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 ma...
S8E14 - Disgustingly Effective: The Marketing of Bodily Functions
April 04, 2019 16:00 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBDo you know which mascot is the most recognized but least liked on TV? This week, we look at disgusting but effective advertising mascots. Fun, cuddly characters that personify our bodily functions the way human actors never could. But they all have one thing in common: they're disgustingly lucrative.
S8E14 (Archive) - Disgustingly Effective: The Marketing of Bodily Functions
April 04, 2019 00:10 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBFrom the Digital Box Set: Do you know which mascot is the most recognized but least liked on TV? This week, we look at disgusting but effective advertising mascots. Fun, cuddly characters that personify our bodily functions the way human actors never coul Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.