Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

This week, we listen to the most creative use of sound and voice. Like the mattress company that gave people discounts based on how loud they snored. We’ll explore a radio campaign that says ugly is a superpower. And we’ll play a vinyl record that was left out in the sun that warns people about the harmful effects of UV rays. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are many products in the world that have “unintended uses.” Originally designed for one purpose, the general public has discovered alternate uses for these items. From Windex to baking soda to Ozempic, the makers of these products had no idea they would be used for so many unimagined tasks. And in one story today, the alternate use of diapers may surprise you. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Oscars around the corner, we take a look at creative movie marketing. We’ll talk about miniature billboards that promoted Ant-Man. A billboard that actually sweated to promote an action film. And we’ll discuss a movie that was saved by a Beatle – then got banned, and was a box office success. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we tip our hat to the tiny, small innovations that make our lives better. Like the tiny arrow on your fuel gauge. And the bread clip. And the miniscule treadwear indicators on your car tires. In every case, the inventor saw something nobody else saw, and their miniature ideas went down in history. Small Wonders. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look at the link between food and cars. Did you know that Volkswagen makes sausages. And Rolls-Royce makes honey. Did you know cars have even been named after foods and beverages – like the Mitsubishi Pistachio and the Suzuki Cappuccino. It’s true – and it’s tasty marketing. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look at the staying power of Catalogues. They’ve been around since the mid 1800s, and they helped build the country. We’ll talk about how catalogues let retailers reach people in far-flung towns and villages. How catalogues finally allowed rural folks to have access to the same goods as city dwellers. And how Seinfeld’s J. Peterman became an owner of the actual J. Peterman catalogue. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In celebration of World Radio Day, we look back on some of the most creative radio advertising from around the world. It’s the toughest medium to write for – but it’s also the most creatively freeing. We’ll hear commercials for a hair removal product, a fast-food series created for these confusing times and a student audio idea that attracted Taylor Swift. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Super Bowl 60 had an interesting mix of commercials - from humorous to emotional to plain weird. Terry ranks his favs and compares his list to audience favs. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look at a sub-category of jingles. Most successful jingles are catchy little earworms. But these particular little ditties use lyrics to tell you how to use the product, or how to play the advertised game. They’re not just catchy… they’re rhythmic instruction manuals. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inspired by the Beatles, Genny Schorr was a member of one of the first female punk bands in LA. She co-owned a vintage fashion store frequented by rock stars, and was wardrobe stylist for the Bangles, Tom Petty, and Linda Ronstadt. Her spouse is Kosh, who was the creative director of Apple Records for the Beatles. Her new book is titled “All Roads Lead To Punk: Riding the First Wave of the Phenomenal Los Angeles Punk Scene Through Music and Fashion" - and she has one fascinating story to tell. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look at “Rage Marketing.” Where a company or organization intentionally provokes the public to get angry. And hopefully spend money. We’ll look at the American Eagle/Sydney Sweeney controversy. We’ll talk about an actress who faked her own death to make a point. And how Connecticut made New Yorkers furious when it said it makes the best pizza in the country. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look at “Clapback Ads.” A clapback ad is a response or retaliation to another commercial. We’ll talk about a Canadian province that took offence to a Vrbo ad. A youth orchestra who retaliated against a big car commercial. And a tech company CEO who got caught having an affair – which forced his company to respond - with humour. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world of marketing has discovered there’s money to be made in creating fake ads. But, they’re not trying to fool you - they’re trying to entertain you. Companies are creating fake ads and fake stores and even fake mistakes - on purpose - in order to gain your attention. The trick is to appear absolutely legitimate. While gently pulling your leg at the same time. We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Lately companies have been hijacking breaking news stories to create ads. When thieves broke into the Louvre with a ladder, the ladder company quickly produced a tongue-in-cheek ad. When the Oscars read the wrong Best Picture winner, an optometry chain made fun of the mix-up. It’s called Newsjacking - and it’s becoming a powerful marketing tactic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 running, a police recruitment campaign that capitalized on the popularity of True Crime, and a very ambitious alternative audio track created to be played over Disney’s Pocahontas movie – that tells the truth behind the fairy tale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 at every turn - she regained ownership of her master recordings. She convinced Apple and Spotify to pay artists in a more equitable way. She defied Hollywood. She markets her music to her fans in very surprising ways. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 illegal? We'll explore the history of cannabis. We'll talk about which celebrities have their own brands (Hello Willie Nelson!) Which high-end retail stores are now selling expensive cannabis paraphernalia. And which non-cannabis businesses are seeing a surprising uptick in sales - like fertilizer companies and fast-food restaurants. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look at a strange phenomenon happening in Canada. Well-established brands are suddenly leaving the country. Kleenex is leaving after nearly 100 years. Skippy Peanut Butter has skipped the country after nearly 90 years. And KFC actually held a funeral for their terrible-tasting French fries. What’s happening up here? Find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December 8th is the 45th anniversary of John Lennon’s death. In this very revealing interview, I talk with Earl Slick, guitarist on Double Fantasy. Earl talks about recording John’s final album, Lennon’s sense of humour, and how Earl found out about John’s murder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.