Selling the Skies: The Rise and Fall of Airline Branding

Selling the Skies: The Rise and Fall of Airline Branding

Airlines used to have personalities. They sold aspiration and exploration. A feeling. Now, they sell...credit cards. And bonus loyalty points. In this episode, I trace the full arc of airline advertising — from the golden age, when airlines couldn't compete on price so they competed on image, through deregulation and the death of Pan Am, to Southwest's personable brand and the investor that completely dismantled it in under a year. Note: Since this episode was recorded, Spirit Airlines has ceased operations. On May 2, 2026, Spirit shut down after failing to secure a federal bailout, becoming the first major U.S. airline to go out of business since the September 11 attacks. In the episode, I mention that Spirit could be forced to liquidate. That has now happened. 😬 Want more Stuff About Advertising? Get my course for creative thinking: Big Idea Bootcamp [https://www.stuffaboutadvertising.com/big-idea-bootcamp] Follow on ⁠TikTok⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@stuffaboutadvertising] Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/stuffaboutadvertising] Follow on ⁠YouTube⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@StuffAboutAdvertising]

It looks like you're trying to make a tech mascot 📎

For some reason, tech companies cannot figure out mascots. They keep trying, and they keep getting it wrong. Or they get it right for about five minutes before it falls apart. This episode is the history of that problem, from Microsoft Bob to Clippy to Bonzi Buddy to Ask Jeeves. Plus, Apple's Lil' Finder Guy is the internet's new obsession, but Apple hasn't said a single word about him. Learn more about my creative thinking course, Big Idea Bootcamp here. [https://www.stuffaboutadvertising.com/big-idea-bootcamp] Want more Stuff About Advertising? Follow on ⁠TikTok⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@stuffaboutadvertising] Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/stuffaboutadvertising] Follow on ⁠YouTube⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@StuffAboutAdvertising] Join the ⁠Internal Review community⁠ [https://www.stuffaboutadvertising.com/community]

When Agencies Go to War: How the Ad Industry Profits from Conflict

What happens when the same tools we use to sell chips and shoes get pointed at a war? From the War Advertising Council in the 1940s to the post-9/11 rebrand of America to a $729 million Israeli influence machine — the advertising industry has never been a neutral party in wartime. This episode traces 80 years of marketers putting their most powerful tools in the service of governments waging wars.

"Speed of culture" doesn't mean what you think it means

"Speed of culture" is one of those phrases agencies love to throw around. But when Taylor Swift dropped a surprise album teaser and every brand posted glittery orange logos, it sparked a debate: are brands hopping on trends adding value or just adding noise? I sat down with Stef Schmit and Josh Rangel from Ogilvy to get into Culture Current, their framework for knowing when to move fast and when to show restraint. We cover the Four S's, why content calendars aren't actually dead, how they turned the Anthony Davis trade into a Woj Bomb moment, and what the Embassy of Japan had to say about Taylor Swift's travel plans. If you want to learn more about Culture Current, reach out to culturecurrent@ogilvy.com [culturecurrent@ogilvy.com]

Branded Entertainment: Why World-Building Matters (And Why Most Brands Skip It)

When 400 brands partner with a single movie (coughwickedcough), most just become noise. So what separates the partnerships that actually work from expensive logo slaps? I talked with Matt Kessler from Martin Entertainment about their Aspercreme x Spinal Tap II campaign and how brands should be approaching entertainment partnerships. We dug into authenticity, scarcity, and why the barriers to entry are actually the point. Is your brand building in or bolting on? Listen in to find out. Huge thanks to Matt Kessler and the team at Martin Entertainment! Want more Stuff About Advertising? Join the Internal Review community [https://www.stuffaboutadvertising.com/community] Follow on ⁠TikTok⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@stuffaboutadvertising] Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/stuffaboutadvertising] Follow on ⁠YouTube⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@StuffAboutAdvertising]