Marketing, Machines & Mischief

How a College Professor Prepares Students for Real-World Influencer Marketing & Content Creation: EP 037

Get ready to be the smartest marketer in the room. In today’s episode, Matthew and Chris welcome special guest Jacob Hiler—a professor at Ohio University and pioneer of the Influencer 101 course—and his students’ BS Meters were off the charts! First, we explore DoorDash’s transformation into a global advertising powerhouse, and what it means for small businesses and the future of retail media. Next, we break down the massive $5.4 billion Coca-Cola ad agency review, examining how data science and AI are now at the heart of legacy brand decisions. We also follow up on Starbucks Korea’s PR disaster, highlighting how a single marketing blunder can trigger worldwide fallout and why human oversight matters more than ever in the age of AI. Finally, Dr. Hiler gives us an inside look at his innovative course on influencer marketing—what students are learning, why authenticity trumps polish, and how the next wave of marketers are being trained to bridge the gap between brands and audiences. Stay with us for all of that, a few laughs, and this week’s game of Wrong Answers Only. Whether you’re a marketing veteran or just starting out, you’re 10 minutes closer to GOAT status. 📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU [https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU] 🔗 **Join The Marketing, Machines & Mischief Community** ✅ Official: https://MarketingMachinesMischief.com [https://marketingmachinesmischief.com] ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingMachinesMischief [https://www.facebook.com/MarketingMachinesMischief] ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/] ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief [https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief] ✅ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief [https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief] Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net [https://castahead.net]

Grand Theft Auto 6 Teaches Us Why Marketing Never Stops for Iconic Brands: EP 036

Matthew and Chris dive into the high-stakes marketing juggernaut behind the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Hear why even the world's most famous game franchise needs a massive push—and what that means for marketers everywhere. Then, the duo unpacks the FTC's latest crackdown on deceptive AI advertising practices, explores how "people like me" marketing is driving real cultural moments, and shares a cautionary tale of marketing gone wrong with Starbucks Korea's ill-timed campaign. Finally, step into a galaxy far, far away to discover how Disney made Star Wars billboards literally levitate over Madrid, and join in for a round of "Wrong Answers Only." All that and more, delivered with the usual blend of insight and irreverence. 📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU [https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU] 🔗 **Join The Marketing, Machines & Mischief Community** ✅ Official: https://MarketingMachinesMischief.com [https://marketingmachinesmischief.com] ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingMachinesMischief [https://www.facebook.com/MarketingMachinesMischief] ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/] ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief [https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief] ✅ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief [https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief] Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net [https://castahead.net]

Google and Meta Push AI Agents, Indian Ad Trends, and Pizza Proposals: EP 035

We’re serving you up a rapid-fire rundown of the hottest industry headlines, from Google’s game-changing AI ad formats to the rise of locally driven marketing in India. Dive into the seismic shift toward agentic advertising, where AI is poised to take the wheel on campaign creation and optimization. Plus, get inspired (and entertained) by creative brand storytelling—from a Waitrose ad that’s out of this world, to a Domino’s campaign putting a fresh spin on wedding traditions in Santorini. Whether you’re here to clock your continuing education credits or just want a hearty chortle, this episode delivers maximum insight with a side of mischief. 📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU [https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU] 🔗 **Join The Marketing, Machines & Mischief Community** ✅ Official: https://MarketingMachinesMischief.com [https://marketingmachinesmischief.com] ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingMachinesMischief [https://www.facebook.com/MarketingMachinesMischief] ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/] ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief [https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief] ✅ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief [https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief] Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net [https://castahead.net]

Tesla’s Autopilot Debacle, Tobacco Tactics, and College Influencer Classes: This Week in Marketing: EP 034

This week, Matthew and Chris tackle Tesla’s latest legal tangle over its “autopilot” claims, shine a spotlight on tobacco companies’ sneaky tactics to lure young users with kid-friendly nicotine pouches, and celebrate the rise of influencer marketing as a legit college course. Plus, stick around as they debut their own hilarious take on fake ads—from “Blue Sky Meth” to the relentless Acme Corporation—and explore what university courses they’d create for the next generation of marketing pros. Whether you’re an artful marketer, a curious creator, or just in for the mischief, this episode promises sharp insights and a wee bit o’ giggles. 📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU [https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU] 🔗 **Join The Marketing, Machines & Mischief Community** ✅ Official: https://MarketingMachinesMischief.com [https://marketingmachinesmischief.com] ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingMachinesMischief [https://www.facebook.com/MarketingMachinesMischief] ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/] ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief [https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief] ✅ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief [https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief] Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net [https://castahead.net]

Airwallex Ignites, Meta Tops Google, and The Rise of Forced Market Regress: EP 033

Welcome back, marketers, influencers, and mischief-makers! In this week’s episode of "Marketing, Machines & Mischief," Matthew and Chris break down the biggest headlines shaking up the world of advertising. Meta is set to overtake Google in global ad revenue for the first time ever—find out what this milestone really means for brands and marketers. Then, we hit the East Coast, where Virginia Beach is staking $1 million on tourism campaigns to quell concerns after recent violence, raising tough questions about ethics in messaging. Plus, we dive into forced market regress in Iran, where marketers are ditching social media in favor of good old SMS amid internet blackouts. It’s not all news: Chris spotlights Airwallex’s bold, cinematic campaign that flips fintech branding on its head, while Matthew unpacks Runway’s mind-bending AI ad for a watch brand that doesn’t even exist. And don’t miss their uproarious round of "Wrong Answers Only" as they imagine commercials for iconic fake brands from pop culture. This is the insider scoop you need—delivered fast, fresh, and with just the right amount of trouble. 📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU [https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU] 🔗 **Join The Marketing, Machines & Mischief Community** ✅ Official: https://MarketingMachinesMischief.com [https://marketingmachinesmischief.com] ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingMachinesMischief [https://www.facebook.com/MarketingMachinesMischief] ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/] ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief [https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief] ✅ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief [https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief] Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net [https://castahead.net]