The MadMen Pod

EPS 59:The Overrated Buzzword: Authenticity in Marketing

SummaryIn this conversation, Sameer and Adeel discuss two provocative topics: the concept of authenticity in marketing and the shift from managerial mode to founder mode CEOs. They challenge the idea of authenticity in marketing, arguing that it is overrated and often used as a buzzword without clear meaning. They suggest that innovation, clarity, and adaptability are more important in marketing. They also discuss the importance of founder mode CEOs, who are deeply involved in the details and drive innovation, compared to managerial mode CEOs who focus on following processes. They highlight the need for companies to embrace founder mode to stay competitive and innovative.
 
Keywords: authenticity, marketing, innovation, founder mode, managerial mode, CEOs
 
Takeaways
Authenticity in marketing is overrated and often used as a buzzword without clear meaning. Innovation, clarity, and adaptability are more important.
Founder mode CEOs, who are deeply involved in the details and drive innovation, are more effective in companies that require constant innovation.
Companies need to embrace founder mode to stay competitive and innovative, rather than relying on traditional managerial mode.
Technology and remote work have enabled companies to flatten hierarchies and empower employees to take more ownership and responsibility.
Sound Bites
"Authenticity in marketing is the biggest marketing scam of the century."
"Founder mode CEOs are deeply involved in the nitty gritty and drive innovation."
 

EPS 58 - Growth Hacking & Creative Revenue Generation with Jeff Mack

Check out Jeff Mack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreymack/
Summary
In this conversation, Salim Gheewalla and Jeff Mack discuss the importance of creativity in marketing and how it can lead to sales revenue. They emphasize the need for marketers to find their unique selling proposition and differentiate themselves from competitors. They also highlight the significance of understanding the target audience and creating personalized messaging. The conversation touches on the limitations of traditional marketing funnels and the need to focus on both in-market buyers and cultivating a community of engaged prospects over time. The traditional marketing funnel is no longer effective in generating demand and influencing purchase decisions. The days of pushing customers through a linear funnel are over. Instead, marketing now focuses on acquiring memories and building brand trust and credibility. This is especially important in the B2B space, where branding is becoming more similar to B2C. Marketing's job is to make sales easier, and this can be achieved by personalizing campaigns and showing customers how you can help them in a relevant and meaningful way. Communication and goal-setting are crucial for success in marketing.
Keywords
creativity, marketing, sales revenue, differentiation, target audience, personalized messaging, marketing funnels, marketing funnel, demand generation, branding, B2B, B2C, acquiring memories, brand trust, credibility, personalization, communication, goal-setting
Takeaways
Creativity is a company's competitive advantage in a commoditized marketing landscape.
Marketers should focus on finding their unique selling proposition and differentiating themselves from competitors.
Understanding the target audience and creating personalized messaging is crucial for success.
Traditional marketing funnels may be outdated, and marketers should focus on both in-market buyers and cultivating a community of engaged prospects over time.
The traditional marketing funnel is no longer effective in generating demand and influencing purchase decisions.
Marketing now focuses on acquiring memories and building brand trust and credibility.
Branding is becoming more important in the B2B space, similar to B2C.
Marketing's job is to make sales easier by personalizing campaigns and showing customers how you can help them.
Communication and goal-setting are crucial for success in marketing.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage03:01 The Power of Creativity in Marketing and Sales06:31 Finding Your Unique Selling Proposition10:44 Understanding the Target Audience and Personalized Messaging13:34 Rethinking the Traditional Marketing Funnel22:51 The Death of the Traditional Marketing Funnel25:09 Acquiring Memories: The New Focus of Marketing26:23 Branding in the B2B Space: Similarities to B2C30:02 Making Sales Easier: Personalization and Customer Help31:18 The Importance of Communication and Goal-Setting in Marketing

EPS 57: Making Unsexy jobs sexy (the rebrand) and Companies so big they will FALL

SummaryThe conversation covers various topics including the appeal of unsexy jobs, the rise and fall of trends, and the potential downfall of companies like Tesla and Netflix. The hosts discuss the need to rebrand and market unsexy jobs to make them more appealing to younger generations. They also highlight the importance of timing and cultural relevance in the success of trends. The conversation concludes with shoutouts to the beverage company Water Drop, the alternative retailer Canify, and the shoe line Sneaks by Sarah Blakely.
Keywords: unsexy jobs, appeal, rebranding, marketing, trends, timing, cultural relevance, downfall, Tesla, Netflix, Water Drop, Canify, Sneaks
Takeaways
Unsexy jobs can be made more appealing through rebranding and marketing efforts.
Timing and cultural relevance play a significant role in the success of trends.
Companies like Tesla and Netflix may face challenges and potential downfall due to intense competition and changing market dynamics.
Shoutouts to Water Drop, Canify, and Sneaks for their innovative approaches in their respective industries.
Sound Bites
"Let's rebrand it, right? Let's call it hydro technician, let's call it that."
"I think Netflix is going to fail."
"I'm going blank, man. I just went total blank."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Discussion on Unsexy Jobs
10:14 The Rise and Fall of Trends
13:30 The Changing Job Landscape
21:39 Making Unsexy Jobs More Appealing
29:19 The Potential Downfall of Companies
36:23 Shoutouts to Water Drop, Canify, and Sneaks
40:28 Conclusion and Farewell

EPS 56 - Madmen Lab 2.0 | Nike Cars, Apple Designed Homes, Gucci Gaming, Tesla Clothing

SummaryIn this conversation, the hosts discuss the idea of bridging established brands into new industries based on their brand ethos. They explore the concept of Apple building homes, Nike designing cars, and Gucci entering the gaming industry. Each idea is discussed in detail, including potential features, designs, and market positioning. The hosts highlight the potential for these brands to leverage their existing brand equity and customer loyalty to succeed in new industries. In this conversation, the hosts discuss potential brand extensions for well-known companies. They explore the idea of Gucci entering the gaming industry, Disney creating educational institutions, Tesla launching a clothing line, and Patagonia venturing into the food market. The hosts provide insights into each concept, discussing the potential benefits and challenges. They emphasize the importance of aligning brand values and maintaining differentiation in these new ventures.
 
Keywordsbrand innovation, Apple homes, Nike cars, Gucci gaming, brand ethos, market positioning, brand extensions, Gucci, gaming industry, Disney, educational institutions, Tesla, clothing line, Patagonia, food market
Takeaways
Established brands can leverage their brand ethos to enter new industries and expand their market reach.
Bridging brands into new industries requires careful consideration of design, features, and market positioning.
Brand equity and customer loyalty can give established brands a competitive advantage in new industries.
Collaborations and partnerships can enhance the appeal and exclusivity of brand extensions.
Innovation and creativity are key to successfully entering new industries and capturing consumer interest. Brand extensions can be a way for companies to explore new markets and reach new audiences.
When considering brand extensions, it is important to align with the core values and identity of the brand.
Differentiation is key in brand extensions to stand out in the market.
Sustainability and ethical practices are becoming increasingly important factors for consumers.
Education can be made more engaging and effective by incorporating storytelling and entertainment.
Fashion brands can leverage their design philosophies and sustainability practices to create unique clothing lines.
Transparency and traceability are important in the food industry, and brands can leverage their existing trust and reputation to enter this market.
Sound Bites
"What if Apple built your home?"
"What would a Nike car look like?"
"What if Gucci got into gaming?"
"Think about gamers on Twitch rocking Gucci gaming gear that really brings luxury to gamers on their streams."
"The elegance of storytelling and connect them through that, the ideas of inspiration, the ideas of hope and the tools to make it."
"The clothing line would feature garments like streamlined silhouettes, really subtle detailing, a lot of vegan leather, and probably a focus on the essentials."
Chapters
00:00 Bridging Brands: Apple Homes
09:41 Bridging Brands: Nike Cars
16:07 Bridging Brands: Gucci Gaming
17:01 Gucci: Luxury Gaming Gear and Experiences
20:37 Disney: Educational Institutions with Storytelling
27:36 Tesla: Futuristic and Sustainable Clothing Line
36:33 Patagonia: Ethically Sourced and Sustainable Food Products

EPS: 55: Google is breaking up, Ad Agency Pricing models suck and Small Business need your help

Summary
 
In this conversation, the hosts discuss various topics including the Olympics, trends in the marketing industry, and the challenges faced by small businesses. They also delve into the different compensation models used by ad agencies and the impact of Chinese manufacturers on the retail industry. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting small businesses and the need for a balance between performance-based and hourly billing in agency compensation. The conversation explores the future of small businesses and the potential impact of big companies and overseas competition. It also discusses the recent ruling that Google has an illegal monopoly on search and the potential consequences for the company. The hosts speculate on the possibility of Apple launching its own search engine and the implications for the advertising industry. They also touch on Apple's need for a new innovative project and shout out a friend's business.
 
Keywords
Olympics, trends, marketing industry, ad agencies, compensation models, small businesses, Chinese manufacturers, retail industry, small businesses, future, big companies, overseas competition, Google, illegal monopoly, search engine, Apple, advertising industry, innovative project, shout out
 
Takeaways
Supporting small businesses is crucial for their survival and growth.
The marketing industry is experiencing changes in compensation models for ad agencies.
Chinese manufacturers are having a significant impact on the retail industry.
•A balance between performance-based and hourly billing can be an effective compensation model for agencies. The future of small businesses is uncertain due to competition from big companies and overseas competitors.
The recent ruling that Google has an illegal monopoly on search could have significant consequences for the company.
There is speculation that Apple may launch its own search engine, which could disrupt the advertising industry.
Apple needs a new innovative project to maintain its position in the market.
Shouting out and supporting friends' businesses is a way to promote small businesses and encourage community support.
Sound Bites
"Your friends and family probably never wanna buy from you."
"Agency compensation is a huge tension point in the industry right now."
"Chinese manufacturers will have the majority shareholding of clothing being sold in America."
"They're here to stay is what I'm trying to get at. And we're just going to start to see it evolve."
"Those will probably go away and that's a very real thing that we should be ready for."
"I don't believe the majority of America will support small businesses."

EPS 54: Consumer man and where to spend your money!

This week's episodes double clicks on consumerism and introduce new products and or rebound trends that have large opportunities.  We talk about:
 
Virality of a nose job
Powerpoint parties! 
Amazon turns into Temu
Starbucks gets into the energy drink business
Plaud Note AI

EPS 53 - Baby Boomers: Wealth & Influncers

Episode 53 ROS
Baby Boomers: The Lost Generation
We talk so much about TikTok, Gen Z, young audiences, cool hip trends. This week, we are going to flip the script a bit and talk about Baby Boomers, the lost generation. They don’t always get the love we give, and we tend to only spray ad champagne on brands who do a kickass job at winning young people. But let’s not underestimate old folks. 
Sameer - a deep dive into the profile of Baby Boomers, and some surprising facts about them that often get overlooked
Adeel - 2 brand spotlights whose business relies on baby boomers and talk about how they market to them. (AARP & MyPillow)
Salim - 2 brand spotlights who generally appeal to young people but surprisingly resonate with baby boomers (Honda Element & Facebook)
Sameer - 1 brand spotlight that is built to last and resonate as we get older (Costco)

EPS 52 - Kamal Harris Marketing, Olympics Marketing Winners & Losers and Mystery Money machines

Summary
In this conversation, Salim and Sameer discuss various topics including Kamala Harris's marketing campaign, brands' involvement in the Olympics, Southwest Airlines' seating policy change, and Google's decision to backtrack on removing third-party cookies. They highlight the success of Kamala Harris's campaign in resonating with Gen Z and the power of storytelling in political marketing. They also discuss the branding efforts of Figs and Sephora in relation to the Olympics. Additionally, they critique Nike's branding for the Olympics and Southwest Airlines' decision to remove open seating. Finally, they touch on Google's change in plans regarding third-party cookies. In this conversation, Sameer and Salim discuss three main themes: the elimination of cookies by Google, companies with hidden revenue streams, and the power of reactive marketing. They explore the implications of Google's decision to remove cookies and the impact it has on advertisers and privacy concerns. They also highlight examples of companies like McDonald's, Sony, and Costco that generate significant revenue from unexpected sources. Lastly, they discuss the effectiveness of reactive marketing through examples like Oreo's Super Bowl tweet, Coors Light's response to a baseball game incident, and California Pizza Kitchen's reaction to a TikTok video. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of adapting to changing trends, finding alternative revenue streams, and leveraging real-time marketing opportunities.
Keywords
Kamala Harris, marketing campaign, Olympics, branding, Southwest Airlines, open seating, Figs, Sephora, Nike, Google, third-party cookies, cookies, Google, privacy, advertising, revenue streams, reactive marketing
 
Takeaways
Kamala Harris's marketing campaign successfully resonates with Gen Z and utilizes social listening to create authentic content
Figs and Sephora demonstrate effective branding efforts in relation to the Olympics
Nike's branding for the Olympics receives criticism for its design choices
Southwest Airlines' decision to remove open seating may impact customer loyalty
Google's decision to backtrack on removing third-party cookies reflects the need to maintain advertising revenue Google's decision to eliminate cookies has significant implications for advertisers and privacy concerns.
Companies like McDonald's, Sony, and Costco generate substantial revenue from unexpected sources.
Reactive marketing can turn potential crises into positive brand moments and promotions.
Authenticity and brand voice are crucial in successful reactive marketing.
Partnerships with other brands can be an effective way to promote movies and entertainment properties.
Chapters
00:00.   Introduction and Discussion of Previous Interview01:17      Kamala Harris's Marketing Campaign09:02     Branding in the Olympics16:14      Southwest Airlines' Seating Policy Change20:24     Google's Backtrack on Removing Third-Party Cookies21:44      The Impact of Google's Cookie Elimination24:05     Companies with Hidden Revenue Streams32:03     The Power of Reactive Marketing

EPS 51 - Future of Creators Ft Emily Pickett

SummaryEmily, a small-town mom from Tennessee, has amassed over 500,000 followers on TikTok by being authentic and relatable. Despite her growing platform, she has chosen to maintain her day job for stability. She has had some of her content reposted by big platforms like ESPN and Barstool, but they don't pay her for it. Emily has also faced challenges being non-religious in a religious small town, but she has found a supportive community online. Her loyal following has defended her against online trolls. Despite her success, Emily remains humble and down-to-earth. In this conversation, Emily discusses the future of building a platform and staying relevant as a creator. She mentions the importance of being a trendsetter and finding unique ways to tell stories. Emily also shares her experience of starting on TikTok and the personal stories that resonated with her audience. She talks about overcoming the fear of judgment and embracing her true self on the platform. The conversation also touches on the idea of branching out into different content areas and the role of technical skills in creating captivating content. Emily expresses her love for her supportive following and the impact of TikTok on her small town community. She mentions the possibility of hiring a manager in the future and the importance of staying true to oneself while creating content.
KeywordsTikTok, small-town mom, authenticity, platform, reposted content, brand deals, TikTok Shop, stability, non-religious, online community, loyal following, challenges, online trolls, platform building, staying relevant, trendsetter, storytelling, personal stories, TikTok, overcoming fear, branching out, technical skills, supportive following, small town community, hiring a manager, staying true to oneself
Takeaways
Authenticity and relatability are key to building a following on TikTok.
Reposted content by big platforms does not always result in payment for the creator.
Maintaining a day job alongside a growing platform can provide stability and security.
Being non-religious in a religious small town can be challenging, but finding a supportive online community can help.
Having a loyal following can provide a strong support system against online trolls.
Success on TikTok does not always translate to significant financial gain. To stay relevant as a creator, it's important to be a trendsetter and find unique ways to tell stories.
Personal stories that resonate with the audience can help build a following.
Overcoming the fear of judgment and embracing one's true self is crucial for success on social media platforms.
Branching out into different content areas can be done within the same profile and doesn't necessarily require starting a new one.
Technical skills, such as camera positioning and editing, can enhance the quality and captivation of content.
Having a supportive following can create a sense of belonging and connection.
Hiring a manager may be necessary to handle the overwhelming tasks of content creation and engagement.
Staying true to oneself and being passionate about the content being created is key to long-term success.
Sound Bites
"Just a small town girl from Tennessee"
"Be who you are and be proud"
"You can come at me all day long, I do not care. You can even talk about Alan, that's fine. But my kids..."
"What will people do to stay relevant for a long time?"
"It's all about finding what you do, putting your little spin on it, and staying relevant by inventing new ways to storytell."
"It's about building connections with people and finding like-minded people."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Generosity
03:13 The Future of People with Platforms
06:25 Mindset When Starting to Post Content
09:44 Reposted Content and Lack of Payment
10:29 Being Recognized in Public
12:18 Building a Following Through Authenticity and Relatability
13:51 The Challenges of Being Non-Religious in a Religious Small Town
16:17 The Genius of Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches
18:41 Supportive Followers and Dealing with Trolls
20:32 Maintaining a Day Job for Stability
21:02 Reposted Content and the Lack of Payment
22:01 Success on TikTok Does Not Always Equal Financial Gain
22:38 Building a Platform: The Future and Staying Relevant
25:04 The Power of Personal Stories on TikTok
26:27 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Authenticity
28:17 Branching Out: Exploring Different Content Areas
30:27 The Role of Technical Skills in Creating Captivating Content
34:09 The Impact of TikTok on a Small Town Community
37:31 Considering Hiring a Manager for Content Management
45:03 Staying True to Oneself: The Key to Success

EPS 50 - Hit or Miss - We got half of them wrong

Summary
In this conversation, the hosts address the recent events and discuss the marketing and branding implications. They also reflect on their 50th episode and share their favorite memories. They then review their past predictions and discuss the success of Meta's Threads, the growth of Disney, and the decline of Nike. In this conversation, the hosts discuss various brands and their strategies, including Nike's struggle with endorsements, Bud Light's image crisis, the growth of the zero-proof beverage market, the success of Skims as a lifestyle brand, and the potential downfall of Taylor Swift's brand. They also touch on the oversaturation of certain brands and the importance of diversification.
 
Keywords: recent events, marketing, branding, Meta, Threads, Disney, Nike, predictions, brands, Nike, Bud Light, endorsements, image crisis, zero-proof beverages, Skims, Taylor Swift, oversaturation, diversification
 
Takeaways
The recent events have marketing and branding implications that can be leveraged for PR and publicity.
Meta's Threads has seen significant growth and has become a viable business opportunity.
Disney has turned around its performance, with increased revenue and profitability, especially in its parks division.
Nike has experienced a decline in stock and sales, while other brands like Hoka and On Running are gaining popularity in the running market. Nike is struggling with their endorsement-based marketing strategy and needs to find new ways to appeal to their audience.
Bud Light's poor corporate response to an image crisis resulted in a decline in sales and a loss of retailer support.
The zero-proof beverage market is growing as more people seek healthier alternatives to alcoholic drinks.
Skims has successfully transitioned from a shapewear brand to a lifestyle brand, with strong sales and a dedicated following.
Taylor Swift's brand may face challenges in the future due to oversaturation and the need for diversification.
Titles
Meta's Threads: A Surprising Success
Nike's Decline: Competition from Other Brands Nike's Struggle with Endorsements
Skims: From Shapewear to Lifestyle Brand
Sound Bites
"This is absolute gold when it comes from PR that attempted assassination, you get up and you fist pump with the American flag behind you."
"Threads has 33 million daily active users, over 175 million monthly active users after one year."
"Experiences are up significantly and they're now the biggest revenue generation group from Disney."
"Nike's struggling right now. They're shit in their pants. Or they're yoga pants."
"Nike's entire marketing strategy is all around endorsements. And to your point, nobody cares about celebrities anymore."
"I think we are all on the same page for the most part to say, look, that's gonna grow."
Chapters
00:00 Recent Events and Marketing Implications
07:04 Meta's Threads: A Surprising Success
14:23 Disney's Turnaround: Increased Revenue and Profitability
21:17 Nike's Decline: Competition from Other Brands
22:46 Nike's Struggle with Endorsements
25:40 Bud Light's Image Crisis and Declining Sales
29:23 The Growth of the Zero-Proof Beverage Market
31:19 Skims: From Shapewear to Lifestyle Brand
38:29 The Potential Downfall of Taylor Swift's Brand
41:19 The Dangers of Oversaturation and the Importance of Diversification