Episodes

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week, since it is our literal Super Bowl, we’ve got a bonus episode for you where we’ll react to some of the weirdest and wildest commercials from the big game this year. From fibermaxxing to back flips to bran cereals, we’ll give our take on which ads got really creative, which…don’t think too hard about it, and which one may have missed the mark on their image rehabilitation. 00:00: Intro 00:40: Instacart featuring Ben Stiller and Benson Boone 02:50: X...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the creative strategies and themes around many of the Super Bowl commercials this year. If you think you’re hearing a lot of Dad Rock, or seeing a lot of reminders to eat your fiber, or somehow feeling nostalgic, that’s on purpose. And, you may be seeing less AI ads than you think. 00:00: Intro 01:05: Nostalgic ads with retro TV nods 04:35: Retro music and Dad Rock 08:30: Health, wellness, and GLP 1s 16:11: Potty humor 21:09: Who...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the way brands are planning their Super Bowl strategy, and why that means you’ve probably seen a lot of big game ads already. Kelsey Sutton and Katie Hicks are joined by Marketing Brew Senior Reporter, Alyssa Meyers, to break down what matters most to brands when it comes to media planning, social strategy and more. From regional buys to experiential activations, these are some of the unique ways you can expect brands to show up in and...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the move many brands are making, creating their own content in-house. As brands move to become their own entertainment studios, we take a look at which are doing long-form content best, the costs that come with producing video and social, and the way these brands can actually make their mark in this space. 00:00: Intro 00:36: Gap’s new hire of Chief Entertainment Officer 03:15: Other brands moving into the entertainment studio space...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the same thing everyone is discussing: Heated Rivalry! We break down how this Canadian series became a megahit, the fandom the stars have already cultivated, and why romance is really having a moment. But: are brands getting in on it? From the brands mentioned in the show, to the ones totally fumbling the bag, we let marketers know how they can be ready for the next hit show, stars, and steamy romance on the way. 00:00: Intro 00:38: ...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the 2026 AI trends all marketers need to know — and will probably be using. From brand discovery to content creations to the latest revelations at CES this week, we’re breaking down the ways AI will be implemented, shamed, and celebrated in the year ahead. 00:00: Intro 00:38: AI discourse at CES 03:56: How marketers will use AI in 2026 11:45: How Hollywood is using AI 15:30: What do consumers want vs. what brands want 19:50: What...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing all the biggest marketing trends we expect to see in 2026…and maybe a few we hope don’t return. From economic restrictions to social predictions, the importance of IRL events and the polarization of AI, these are our best guesses as to where marketers will be spending their time and money in the new year. 00:00: Intro 00:39: The economic reality for 2026 04:54: Social will require creativity 09:32: More IRL events 12:23: The AI of...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the hits, misses, and Taylor of it all as we look back on 2025’s best marketing campaigns throughout the year. We’ll be celebrating the best collabs, the best use of a celebrity, and the anti-AI campaign that had us cheering (and posing). Plus, we’ll share our own picks for the moments we’ll remember best from the year. 00:00: Intro 00:31: Brief recap of the year in marketing 02:21: Best Social Trend or Campaign 05:50: Best Collab ...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the current K-Shaped Economy and how brands are reacting. We take a look at the luxury brands leaning into aspirational marketing, and those embracing affordability. Plus, what about the brands in the middle — is it possible to be aspirational and affordable at the same time, and has anyone figured out how to present that message to customers? 00:00: Intro 00:31: Definition of a K-shaped economy 02:51: Which brands are going for asp...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing Oxford University’s Word of the Year: Ragebait. From Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign to E.l.f. Choosing to partner with Matt Rife, were these marketing moves worth it for the brands? We touch on controversial Skims products and Coca-Cola using AI in their ads, and discuss which campaigns were fueled by bots — and wonder if it even matters as long as that stock price is up? We also discuss the risk vs. reward of employing this ...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing how Netflix became the masters of marketing. With the final season of “Stranger Things” upon us, we discuss the brand collabs and major marketing moments the streamer has implemented to make the sci-fi show one of their biggest ever. We also discuss Netflix House and how the company has managed to bring IRL experiences and merch to their shows’ biggest fans. Plus, why does Netflix continue to chase that Oscar gold, and how will they co...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the best ways for marketers to navigate their strategies for these days in 2025. How can brands make sure their SMS messaging hits the right tone? Do real Black Friday deals even exist any more? Is Amazon the only brand really owning this time of year? And our hosts share their ideas to get people excited about spending for the holidays again so listen up, brands! 00:00: Intro 00:32: Black Friday memor...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the marketing strategy behind the back-to-back Wicked movies, in honor of this week’s release, Wicked: For Good. In this episode, the hosts compare the budget and branding strategies used for both the first installment in the Wicked films, as well as the latest release, Wicked: For Good. They also review some of the 400 brand partnerships the film has established with brands including Crocs, Walmart, Swiffer, and more. We can’t help bu...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the rise of branded weddings: are they cute or cringe? Is the positive sentiment worth it for the brands or could it backfire? From a Hellmann’s Mayo wedding to getting hitched at the Taco Bell Cantina, we break down the opportunities and missteps of letting a brand plan (and pay for!) your big day. Plus, we take a look at other wedding-related activities such as brand trips and bachelorette parties and how they hope to get in on the s...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing how the new movie Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is using the recent Louvre robbery as a part of its marketing for the film’s release this month, how brands were able to incorporate marketing moments into the NYC marathon for runners and spectators alike, why Netflix is betting big on its ads business, and what the TikTok awards can do for creators and brands alike. 00:00: Intro 00:34: Using the Louvre robbery as marketing 06:03: Mar...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the way Hatch has responded to unserious criticism about its latest spooky ad, what marketers can learn from the way Zohran Mamdani has used branding throughout his campaign for NYC mayor, what’s going on with dupe culture and where is it heading, and we rate some of the good and bad branded Halloween costumes this year. 00:00: Intro 00:33: Hatch responds to unserious criticism to its spooky ad 05:05: How Zohran Mamdani uses brandin...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing Heineken’s billboard reaction to Friend AI’s ads, the Spotify deal to bring The Ringer’s video podcasts to Netflix and what that means for YouTube and other platforms, the reasoning behind Apple TV dropping the plus sign from their name, and how man on the street videos are now turning into brands on the street videos as ads get in on the fun of producing these authentic-seeming clips. 00:00: Intro 00:35: Heineken mocks Friend AI 05...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing Timothee Chalamet’s “Marty Supreme” promo plans, LeBron James and the risk of a celebrity fake-out when it comes to advertising with brands, why so many celebrities all seem to be starting their own ad agencies lately, and how Friend AI really failed to make friends – especially in the NYC subways. 00:00: Intro 00:40: Timothee Chalamet’s “Marty Supreme” promo plans 05:20: LeBron James and celebrity fake-outs in advertising 14:26: W...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the latest in the WNBA war of words over brand deals, the rise of commerce media with the announcement of Amex Ads, Sora 2 and the state of the industry’s AI adoption for better or worse, and Instagram’s launch of the “Oscars for creators” with Rings and what that really means for reels. 00:00 Intro 00:33 WNBA compensation talks get snippy 05:35 Amex Ads enters the commerce media space 13:46: Sora 2 and the ad industry’s adoption o...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing Meta’s new Vibes and the rise of AI video platforms, Bad Bunny performing at the Super Bowl and likely bringing top brands with him, Netflix’s big new deal with AB InBev and how it could change the game for ad revenue in the streaming world, and the latest updates on the TikTok deal and how it could impact advertisers and creators. 00:00 Intro 00:37 The vibe on Meta’s new Vibes app 05:24 What Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance means...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the blind box trend going bust, the reality TV to influencer pipeline inspired by Taylor Frankie Paul as the new Bachelorette, the rise of the LinkedInfluencer and how the platform can adapt, and everyone’s favorite: pumpkin spice season is here – but should some brands sit this one out? 00:00 Intro 00:35 Blind boxes go bust 04:32 The Realty TV to Influencer pipeline 13:05 LinkedInfluencers on the rise 22:06 Pumpkin Spice Season i...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the latest on the potential TikTok ban, how brands are using award shows to their advantage, why Salish Matter really matters — especially when it comes to the power of Gen Alpha, and the surprising reason why your favorite sports team got in on the internet action of The Summer I Turned Pretty. 00:00 Intro 00:39 A TikTok ban update 04:20 Advertisers Take Award Shows 14:52 Why Salish Matter’s Launch Really Mattered 22:34 Brands Tu...

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing Nike’s new ad for Gen Z, why American Eagle continues to win the denim wars, how Labubus really took the spotlight at the US Open, and which brands tried their best to capitalize on Taylor Swift’s big news. 00:00 Intro 00:35 Nike’s new slogan 04:17 American Eagle continues to soar 12:32 Labubus win the US Open 19:05 Taylor Swift’s Effect on Brands and Find the Fake game This episode was sponsored by Digicom. To learn more, go to ...

Welcome to the Marketing Brew Weekly show! The team behind the powerhouse Marketing Brew newsletter will now keep you up to date on the latest in marketing, advertising, and culture in podcast form too! Every Wednesday, join hosts Jennimai Nguyen, Kelsey Sutton, and Katie Hicks for a gab sesh featuring breakout social campaigns, rebrands gone wrong, and industry trends the internet can’t stop talking about. We’re here to help you level up at work, and have a laugh while you’re at it. Subscribe ...