Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
Episodes
Buy-O-Pics: When Brands Become Movies
09 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As Oscar night approaches, we head to theatres to figure out why movies about brands are so popular.“Barbie” is breaking box office records. ...
Seeing is Believing: The Power of Demonstration Commercials - Part 2
02 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, we talked about the best historic demonstration commercials of all time. This week, we feature some of the most recent.Like an air freshen...
Seeing is Believing: The Power of Demonstration Commercials
24 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I ask a dozen of the top creative directors in the advertising business to tell me the best “demonstration commercials” they have ever ...
Putting the Awe in Audio
10 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at the most creative audio ideas from around the world. Including a podcast for runners that only works if you’re actually r...
Terry talks with a Cannabis Producer
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recently, we produced an episode on cannabis marketing. With cannabis legalization, it’s a brand-new, challenging marketing category.As a result of ...
The Marketing of Taylor Swift: (Taylor's Version)
03 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we analyze the remarkable marketing skills of one of the top music artists in the world – Taylor Swift.She has challenged the status quo ...
Cannabis Marketing
27 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we go one toke over the line and look at the emerging world of cannabis marketing.We start with the question - just how does a plant become...
When Bad Commercials Become Cult Classics: Live Recording from Reid's Distillery
20 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recently, we recorded a live show at Reid’s Distillery in Toronto. Reid’s is a great gin joint, and the vibe is a cool lounge with vintage tables ...
Copycat Brands
13 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at copycat brands.Even though they walk a razor’s edge legally, copycat brands seem to pop up all over the world.You may like Wal...
Disappearing Acts: When Popular Brands Are Discontinued
06 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
To kick off our 2024 season, we look at a strange phenomenon happening in Canada. Well-established brands are suddenly leaving the country. ...
We're back January 6th
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year. We have a fun 2024 season planned for you. Here'a a sneak peek at what's in store... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Sounds That Sell
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Every once in a while, we drop an interesting show into our feed that we think you’ll like.This week, it’s “Twenty Thousand Hertz” - a show ab...
Ask Terry (From the AOP Archives)
25 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we turn the show over to listeners. It’s our annual “As Terry” show. We asked you to submit any questions you had about the advertisi...
Terry's Book Club (From the AOP Archives)
04 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we invite you to our Book Club. We'll be telling stories from Terry's favourite advertising books, and will examine the incredible lessons ...
We May Not Be Big, But We're Small - World's Smallest Record Store
21 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As you might know by now, the team behind Under The Influence has more podcasts executive produced by Terry. More on the Apostrophe Podcast Network ca...
Three Foot Marketing
07 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re going shopping. The topic is “Three Foot Marketing.” Research shows that 75% of shopping decisions are made in the store, and th...
Dynamic Duos: The Famous Partnerships in Advertising
23 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we look at “Dynamic Duos” - those rare ad agency/client relationships that resulted in some of the most famous advertising of...
Speed Bumps: The Magical Ingredient in Marketing
09 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we look at how smart marketers use Speed Bumps to generate greater sales. While modern marketing loves a friction-free fast transaction, sma...
Rejecting Mad Men
02 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In case you missed it, the team behind Under the Influence has more podcasts. Five, to be exact. Executive produced by Terry O', meet the Apostro...
The Sound of Persuasion
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Under The Influence listens to the sounds of persuasion. Advertising has used sound to sell for decades. But sound can be used fo...
Genericide: When A Brand Name Becomes Generic
05 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at the concept of “Genericide” – when brand names become generic. Many of the pioneering brands in our world risked losing th...
The Happy Homemaker: How Advertising Invented The Housewife - Part 2
22 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Part 2 of how Madison Avenue invented… the housewife. Over 100 years ago, the advertising industry realized they had thous...
The Happy Homemaker: How Advertising Invented The Housewife - Part 1
08 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at how Madison Avenue invented… the housewife. Over 100 years ago, the advertising industry realized they had thou...
Ask Terry 2023
24 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s our final episode of the season already.And as always, we throw the show open to our listeners.And answer your questions.We’ll explore why ji...
Hiding in Plain Sight: The Surprising Influence of Marketing
17 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
So many things in our world are influenced by marketing. This week, we look at various aspects of our lives influenced by marketing. – bu...
Bookmarks 2023
10 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week it’s our annual Bookmarks episode.I read a lot of books to research Under The Influence. But every season, there isn’t enough room ...
The Allure of the Bad-Ass: Advertising Antiheroes
03 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
20th century movies and TV shows were dominated by the traditional “hero.” With high morals and an ethical code of honour. Th...
Nooner Nookie: The Allure of Marketing Freebies
27 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For over 100 years, “free” has been one of the most powerful words in the marketing world.And believe it or not, companies love freebies as much a...
The Phrase That Pays: Marketing Contests
20 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Marketing contests can be tricky business.On one hand, contests can be designed to help companies achieve certain business goals.On the other hand, co...
Canadaland Goes Under The Influence
13 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse Brown, founder of Canadaland Podcast Network, and Terry O'Reilly have a fun conversation about the business of podcasting, the line between jour...
Billboards Are Always in Bloom
06 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Billboards are one of the biggest creative challenges in the marketing world. They need to be seven words or less. They need to contain an i...
Brand Envy (2023)
29 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we take a look at four brands that have found a way to survive for decades.One company has been entertaining crowds with wax for 200 years....
Hitting the Road with Marketing Mobiles
22 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve probably seen those Red Bull Mini Coopers driving around town with the giant Red Bull can on their roofs.This week on Under The Influence, we...
Johnny Wants the Jet: The Loopy World of Loopholes
15 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are some very interesting loopholes in the world of marketing.Because businesses are always looking for an upper hand in a competitive category,...
Hard Days & Golden Knights: The World of Brand Twins
08 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Even though brand names are often protected by trademarks and copyrights, it’s remarkable how many times companies end up with the same names.And th...
Long Overdue: The Creative Boom of Library Marketing (Encore)
01 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at the ways libraries market themselves. If you think libraries are quiet, you’ve got another thing coming. We’ll talk about a ...
Touch The Pickle: Marketing Gender Equality
25 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“What player has won the most Wimbledon singles titles,” Google will tell you it’s Roger Federer with 8 wins. But that’s incorrect. Marti...
You Can Check In, But You Can Never Check Out: Branded Hotel Rooms
18 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we talk about hotel marketing. Specifically, how some hotels attract guests by advertising specific rooms.Some of those rooms are...
You're going to love Marketing Against The Grain
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to listen to this show about advertising ad-free, subscribe here.Today we’re sharing an episode of Marketing Against The Grain...
Dish Night at the Movies: Marketing Motion Pictures
11 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re talking about the creative ways Hollywood markets films. We’ll talk about how a low-budget horror movie got a ton of press j...
The Commercial From The Black Lagoon: Horror in Advertising
04 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we look at horror in advertising.We’ll talk about why the Red Cross produced a horror commercial for blood donations. How Nike had a horro...
When You've Got It, Flaunt It: The George Lois Story
26 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about one of the legends of the advertising business – George Lois. Out-spoken and fearless, he launched Xerox, helped elec...
Only In Advertising: Stories From The Front Lines (Encore)
18 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I ask my advertising colleagues for their most outrageous ad stories. The advertising business is a big money, high stress industry. And so...
Gold, Silver & Spinach: TV Shows As Marketing
11 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With multiple ways to skip commercials at our fingertips, advertisers have found a new way to reach the public. They’re jumping out of commercial br...
Fish Where The Fish Are: Surprising Help Wanted Ads
04 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we take a look at the most creative “help wanted” ads in the world. We’ll talk about how IKEA recruited new workers without needing t...
One Sentence Sermons: The Wit of Church Signs
28 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we take a look at church signs. With congregations declining, churches are using their signs as marketing tools to attract new members...
Tools for the Family Jewels: Gender Bending Brands
21 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at companies that have spent decades advertising to only one gender - then suddenly decide to approach the opposite sex. L’Oreal ...
The Willy Wonka Secret: Candy Bar Advertising
14 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at candy bar advertising. Millions are spent marketing candy bars every year. We’ll talk about how the movie Willy Wonka and the ...
Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe comes to Apostrophe
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We are very excited to welcome Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe to the Apostrophe Podcast Network.Each episode will feature two Dave and Morley stories as ...
London Bridge Is Down: How The Queen’s Death Affects Marketing
07 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
To kick off our 2023 season, we look at how the Queen’s death affects the marketing world. Over 600 companies had been granted a Royal Warrant by Qu...
We're back January 7th
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year. We have a fun 2023 season planned for you. Here's a sneak peek at what's in store... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
Even More Remarkable Brands
26 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we feature our annual look at Five Remarkable Brands: A certain scientist who is such a powerful brand that he has displaced other great th...
Mad Women
12 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at the Great Women of Advertising. The Hall Of Famers who broke the rules, kicked open the doors and created some of the most famou...
S3E05 - Marketing Rock and Roll, Part Two
05 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, it's Part Two of "Marketing Rock and Roll." As the 1980s unfold, technology changes rock and roll marketing forever, with the arrival of MT...
Burn The Boats: Brands That Risked and Won
29 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode looks at the concept of “Risk.” We tell the stories of the marketers who took the biggest risks, and reaped the greatest rewards – ...
Ageism In Advertising
15 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is about how the advertising industry covets the 18 to 49 year-old consumer. Almost all advertising is aimed at that demographic, because...
Rejecting Colonel Harland Sanders
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One our favourite episodes from our sister podcast, We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast is the inspiring story of Colonel Harland...
The Commercials You Grew Up With
17 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we talk to baby boomers and take a look at the commercials they grew up with. From the toy and game commercials that inspired your lists t...
S3E04 - Marketing Rock and Roll, Part One
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In part one of a two-part series, we’ll trace the marketing of rock all the way back to its origins with Elvis Presley and his wily manager Colonel ...
AOP Goes to the Movies
03 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Age of Persuasion Goes To The Movies. Just in time for the Oscars, we look at great movie marketing, and talk about the landmark movie...
Marketing Pioneers
20 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we look at the Marketing Pioneers who created products that created industries. We talk about the first company to link dia...
Candid Commercials: Real People in Advertising
06 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The advertising industry has a long history of using real people in advertising. It may be a testimonial, a hidden camera, a man-on-the-street intervi...
It's Not Easy Being Green: Green Marketing
23 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Terry O'Reilly looks at the ever-changing world of Green Marketing. He'll look back at how the green movement started, how it's evolved, ho...
Luxury Advertising
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Luxury Marketing is a category that is completely different from traditional brand marketing – because it is in the business of selling fantasy. We’...
Bonus Episodes from Age of Persuasion 2011
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're re-releasing all the episodes from the last season of Age of Persuasion in 2011.All episodes have been remastered to fit our Under The Influence...
S11E25 - Ask Terry (2022)
25 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, it’s our annual Ask Terry episode – where I answer listener questions. This year, someone wants to know which advertising category does...
S11E24 - Arch Enemies
18 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at some of the biggest arch rivalries in the marketing business. We’ll tell a story about how Burger King figured out a way to of...
S11E23 - Bookmarks 2022
11 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week it’s our annual Bookmarks episode – where we tell the great stories that didn’t fit into our regular episodes. Including a s...
S11E22 - Brand Envy 2022
04 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I tell the stories of four of my favourite brands. One holds the record for the most Oscar wins, one was a kid’s animated show produced b...
S11E21 - "Rule Breakers"
28 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the topic is rule breakers. It takes a courageous advertiser to flout the rules. The results can either be a goldmine or a landmine. We’l...
S11E20 - Brilliantly Bland: Why Boring Sells
21 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at boring products. There is a truism in the marketing world - boring sells. And in some of the biggest categories, boring products...
Rejecting The Rubik's Cube
14 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In case you missed it, the team behind Under The Influence started a podcast network. We wanted to bring you a bonus episode this week from one of ou...
S11E18 - Confessions of a Book Lover: The Art of Marketing Books
07 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at how books are advertised and marketed. Over 2.2 million new books are published every year - so how do books get noticed? One bo...
S11E17 - Put A Tiger in Your Tank: Advertising Gets Animated
30 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at the history of animated commercials. One of the very first hit the air in 1941 - for “crinkle-proof ties.” Next came Reddy K...
S11E16 - Only in Advertising: Stories from the Front Lines
23 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I ask my advertising colleagues for their most outrageous ad stories. The advertising business is a big money, high stress industry. And so...
S11E15 - Surprising Origin Stories
16 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Under The Influence, we tell the surprising origin stories of some famous products and brands. Because sometimes, backstories have b...
S11E14 - From Batawa To Port Sunlight: The Story of Company Towns
09 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at cities and towns that are actually named after companies. We’ll talk about one town named after a shoe company, one named...
S11E13 - My Best Mistake "Bonus" Pod to celebrate Canada Reads on CBC
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate Canada Reads on CBC this week, here is the first chapter of Terry's latest book, "My Best Mistake". Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
S11E12- Lions, Panties & Hotel Keys: Hollywood Publicity Stunts
26 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at the most outrageous Hollywood Publicity Stunts. The crazier the stunt, the better. From sneaking a full-grown lion into a hotel ...
S11E11 - Don't Do It Advertising - Part Two
19 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, it’s Part Two of our “Don’t Do It Advertising” episode. Last week we looked at ads that asked you NOT to do something. This week, i...
S11E10 - Don't Do It Advertising
12 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at a category of advertising that doesn’t try to sell you something. As a matter of fact, tries to get you to STOP doing somethin...
S11E09 - Tornados & Lawsuits: Why Companies Wrestle with Name Changes
05 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at the reasons why successful companies suddenly change their names. Sometimes those name changes are for legal reasons, sometimes ...
S11E08 - Medicine & Miracles: The Power of Hospital Marketing
26 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at powerful hospital marketing. Hospitals need marketing to generate much-needed donations. We’ll look at how one hospital uses c...
S11E06 - Inside The Super Bowl
12 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive into the Super Bowl. The broadcast not only attracts the biggest viewing audience of the year, it is one of the biggest marke...
S11E05 - How Jerry Goodis Made an Advertisement a Beautiful Thing
05 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we tell the story of one of the most colourful characters in the history of Canadian advertising - Jerry Goodis. He founded a legendary adv...
S11E04 - Selling Love: The Business of Online Dating
29 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we explore how dating agencies Sell Love. We’ll talk about the very first dating service in history, we’ll explore one app that is more...
S11E03 - Long Overdue: The Creative Boom of Library Marketing
22 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look at the ways libraries market themselves. If you think libraries are quiet, you’ve got another thing coming. We’ll talk about a ...
S11E02 - Perry Mason Moments: The Most Unexpected Ads of 2021
15 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the most unexpected ads of 2021. Quite a few commercials made eyebrows rise last year. From a fast-food resta...
S11E01 - Number Fever: Surprising Stories of Bottle Cap Marketing
08 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’re back with our new season and the first episode is all about Bottle Cap Marketing. A bottle cap is a tiny thing but offers big opportunities. W...
We’re back January 8th
29 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve got a fun 2022 season planned for you. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...
S10E25 - Ask Terry 2021
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's our annual Ask Terry episode where we answer listener questions. We’ll delve into why creative advertising agencies have such boring names, to ...
S10E24 - Can’t Get Enough of That Wonderful Duff: Fake Hollywood Brands
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we talk about fake Hollywood brands. Whenever directors need a prop and there is no paid product placement, they have to use fake products....
S10E23 - Tombstone Tourists: The Growth of Cemetery Tourism
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we explore cemetery tourism. Before the pandemic stopped travel in its tracks, graveyards were becoming tourist hotspots. Millions of peopl...
S10E22 - The Show Must Go On: Broadway Marketing
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we head to Broadway. Every Broadway show is mounted with incredible risk and very few shows earn back their investments. But there are huge...
S10E21 - Too Many Turk Brodas: Trading Card Marketing
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we trace the history of trading cards. For over 150 years, companies have used trading cards to entice customers to buy their products. Fro...
S10E20 - Bookmarks 2021
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, it’s our annual Bookmarks episode - where we tell you the fascinating stories that didn’t fit into our regular episodes. Including a li...
S10E18 - There’s Something About Mary: Mad Woman Mary Wells
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we profile the remarkable career of, arguably, the most successful women in advertising - Mary Wells. She was a woman of firsts - the first...
S10E17 - Son of Crocodile Dundee: Nostalgia Advertising
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we explore the use of nostalgia in advertising. For decades, advertisers have tapped collective memories in commercials, hoping those warm ...
S10E16 - I Can’t Believe I Ate The Whole Thing: Surviving The Ad Biz
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we tell crazy stories from the world of advertising. High pressure, big money and impossible deadlines makes for some hilarious situations....
S10E15 - Who Will Buy My Memories: Fan Club Marketing
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we dive into the world of Fan Clubs. They are huge marketing tools for celebrities. We’ll track some of the earliest fan clubs, then comp...