Cannes, Cheating & AI: The Awards Machine Exposed

From Dove to Democracy: A Creative's Unexpected Pivot to Local Politics

On this episode of Ugly, Irresponsible, and Childish, hosts Marc Levy and Jeremy Baka talk with Howard Pulchin about the messy, rewarding overlap between creativity and public service. They dig into Howard’s front-row role in the Dove Real Beauty work, the ongoing fights over creative credit, and the career shift that led him to run for and win a local office in Northwest Connecticut. The conversation moves from practical campaign lessons—positive messaging, persistence, and grassroots organizing—to bigger industry critiques about who gets to be called "creative" and the limits of agency structures. Takeaways center on putting people first, fostering intergenerational curiosity, and using creative skills to build community and meaningful change.

One-Year Anniversary Gala! Backlash, Mentors, and the AI Ticking Clock

In this one-year anniversary episode the hosts reflect on 40 past shows, revisit major brand backlash stories (American Eagle, Victoria’s Secret, Cracker Barrel), and debate whether those controversies were overblown. They discuss mentorship—offering to take on protégés—and share candid guest conversations about client-agency honesty and crisis management. The episode closes with a wide-ranging talk on AI’s rapid rise and what it means for the future of creativity and careers.

Secrets of College Applications Revealed! Inside Ivy League Admissions

Hosts Jeremy and Marc interview Elizabeth Heaton, a former University of Pennsylvania admissions officer, about reading thousands of applications and what makes students stand out. They explore the difference between being well-rounded and well-lopsided, when creativity helps or hurts, and memorable do’s and don’ts from the admissions table. The episode also tackles modern concerns—parent involvement, AI in essays and admissions, and the rising pressure on students to turn college into a job pipeline—offering practical advice: be authentic, use creativity with purpose, and look beyond brand names for the right fit.

Cannes, Cheating & AI: The Awards Machine Exposed

Hosts Jeremy Baka and Marc Levy riff on agency life, award season absurdities, and the Cannes Lions scandal that revealed AI-manipulated entries. They debate the value of awards, the challenges judges face, and how new Cannes integrity rules seek to curb deception. Between personal stories and industry anecdotes, they question whether awards actually measure creativity or effectiveness, consider AI’s role as a creative partner, and wonder if these new standards can restore trust.

Job Hunting Like a Brand Strategist: Turning Your Story Into Career Gold

Greetings, creative warriors! In this episode, Marc & Jeremy welcome brand strategist Nancy Martira to explore her unique, original system for guiding mid-to-senior professionals how to think like brand strategists to stand out in a crowded, dehumanized job market. Nancy explains her ‘moment, impact, edge’ framework for crafting memorable positioning, translating it into LinkedIn headlines, resumes, and networking pitches, and offers practical advice on storytelling, confidence, and reclaiming human connection during a job search.