The MadMen Pod

Episode #9: Trader Joe’s says no to self-checkout. GNC is not GNC.com. When powerful brand names become generic. Axe is back in the most Gen Z way. The American Dream is dead. Bobbi blows up.

Trader Joe's doubles down on its people, not technology, to create the best shopper experience. Salim has a broken experience buying swole supplies at GNC, indicating that seamlessness is an expectation, not a convenience. When Kleenex, Bandaid, Google and Uber market their product so well they became the product. Axe making a comeback, but not as the millennial's locker room body spray. "Woke" is out, rugged masculinity is in. Bobbi is attracting superstars and blowing up, despite the drama and conspiracy.

Episode #8: Deep Dive - How hip hop music, style, and influence has transformed culture and marketing

In celebration of Hip Hop's 50th annivesary, Sameer takes a deep dive into hip hop's influence in marketing and advertising. Let's take a look at how artists shattered the glass ceiling in brand partnerships and evolved how marketers leverage hip hop to build authentic connections with a very valuable audience.

Episode #7: Bed Bath & Beyond is back baby! La-Z-Boy introduces The Decliner. Madden NFL is ready to disappoint. Design masterclass with Baboon to the Moon. Why are CEOs so mean lately?

The Duchess of Dakota, Sarah Westerman, joins us this week. Why are CEOs publicly degrading their staff? La-Z-Boy stands up for your right to be lazy by sitting down. Victoria Secret Fashion Show is back. Seeq protein out of Sioux Falls is on fire. Baboon to the Moon brings design and utility together. Madden NFL 24 releases this week and gamers are already prepared to be disappointed. Overstock.com buys Bed Bath & Beyond's IP, with no 20% off coupons.

Episode #6: It’s Back to Store season. Fritos is giving away mullets. Apply now for Chief Uno Player. ”He Gets Us” Deep Dive. Claire’s rebranded. Taylor Swift for President. Luxury is changing.

Nike gets into Experiential Retail with a new boutique gym. Mullets are back and Fritos and Floyds partner together. Mattel is hiring a Chief Uno Player that pays $4,444 a week. Adeel dives deep in the Jesus Gets Us campaign, where Christianity is a brand. Claire's has a huge comeback story. Taylor Swift unites a divided America. and everyday people don't want traditional luxury products anymore.

Episode #5: Drake makes his mansion shoppable. Brands looking for love with Love Island. RIP Mickey Mouse. Target wins in CX. Roblox goes VR. Gap is coming back. Kith is making it kool to kolab.

Drake launches DrakeRelated.com so you can shop his house online. Love Island is partnering with Spotify, Google Pixel, and Spotify in a very Barbie way. Disney is retiring Mickey Mouse, because they have to. Target calls their shoppers "guests" because they are all-in on customer experience. Roblox is giving VR a much-needed boost. Gap is having its moment of relevancy, but can they seize the opportunity? Kith co-labs like Supreme, but in a more tasteful way.

Episode #4: Taco Tuesday is liberated! Is Skims the real deal, or is it just Kim? A super expensive digital billboard. The Father of Propaganda.

Taco John gives up its rights to "Taco Tuesday" and missed a prime opportunity. Skims is now valued at $4 billion, but is it overhyped? The MSG Sphere took 5 years and $2.3 billion to build, but will it ever payoff? We dive into Edward Bernays, the father of propaganda. Sonesta is a brand you haven't heard of, and they embrace it. What's next for Harley Davidson to go after Gen Z? Disney on the fall. And Adeel the NPC makes an appearance.

Episode #3: Coffee meets olive oil. End of an era for Lambo. Slurpee looks like Slurpoo. Les Bleus to Bleues goes viral. Liquid Death is killin’ it. Sugar Kane Shoes?

Starbucks doubles down on Oleoto, and what olive oil in coffee means for their brand. Lamborghini has sold its last fully gas-powered supercar, making the future of supercars all electric. Slurpee rebranded to a questionable logo design. Lots of love for France who gets this week's Ad Champagne for their Women's Soccer ad and Polène is a brand to watch, along with Liquid Death and a shoe brand made of sugar canes. 
 

Episode #2: Threads breaks the internet. Celebrity-branded booze. Introducing the NBA Cup. Prime Day Dupes. Nikon goes anti-AI

Everyone logged on to Threads last week, but will they stay on? Celebrities keep launching more alcohol brands during the sober-curious movement. NBA evolves once again with the In-Season Tournament, but are they solving problems or creating new ones? More retailers want their fair share of the Prime Day Pie. And Nikon doubles-down on the real world while everyone chases after AI. Listen in for an for a hot take on the GOAT of all GOATs.

Episode #1: Are you on the Barbie Hype-Train? Bud Light CEO is on crisis management. Oreo + Milk = Forever

Barbie is THE movie of the summer, but is it overmarketed and set up to fail? Bud Light CEO doing the inevitable media circuit, but is it a tad too late to minimize the damage? Grab your milk and cookies and dive deep into one of the most awarded campaigns from Cannes Lions Festival 2023. Adeel, Salim, and Sameer share their takes on up-and-coming brands to watch.