Podcast
Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
Hosted by Apostrophe Podcast Network · EN
Under the Influence gives listeners a rare backstage pass into the hallways, boardrooms and recording studios of the ad industry.Join host and adman Terry O’Reilly for fascinating (and humorous) stories that connect the dots between pop culture, marketing and human nature.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
337episodes
Episodes
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Debut Commercials
5d ago00:27:45Tap to summarizeThis week, we take a look at marketing firsts.Specifically, the very first commercials ever produced for famous products and companies.From the debut of the Jolly Green Giant, to the first AIDS PSAs, to the very first pharmaceutical ad, all the way to the first iPhone commercial, we say hello to these products and issues for the very first 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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Monumental Advertisements: Branded Buildings
2w ago00:27:31Summary readyThis week, we talk about spectacular landmarks built by visionary entrepreneurs.These magnificent buildings stand in Toronto, New York and Chicago.They are all very different in design, built in different eras, but they share one thing in common.They are all named after famous brands.And it’s easy to forget that.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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Brand Envy (2026)
3w ago00:26:47Summary readyThis week, it’s our annual Brand Envy episode, where I tip my hat to great ideas that have lasted for years.We’ll talk about a very funny character who has made the world laugh without uttering a single word.An idea that was born on the side of highways.And we’ll talk about a movie that has had the longest run in cinema history.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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Rue McClanahan: Every Kick's A Boost
4w ago00:12:39Summary readyThis week, we're dropping an episode from our sister podcast, "We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast". In this podcast series, we talk about the mountain of rejections famous and successful people had to overcome and how they did it.In this episode, we talk about the golden piece of advice Rue McClanahan’s mother gave her when she was told she’d never make it in television. 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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Selling Violence: Marketing Combat Sports
Apr 1100:27:41Summary readyThis week, we look at the marketing of violent sports.Starting with a man named Tex Rickard, who wrote the playbook on fight promotion back in the 1920s.We’ll analyze how WWE pro wrestling took a page from Rickard to create spectacles.And we look at the phenomenon that is the UFC – and how mixed martial arts promotion can be carbon-dated all the way back to Rickard in the ‘20s.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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Unhinged Advertising: The Power of the Absurd
Apr 400:27:52Summary readyThis week, we look at weird, unhinged advertising.Like the “PuppyMonkeyBaby” Super Bowl commercial. The sad Skittles commercial where everything a man touches turns to Skittles.A leather diaper you can wear to heavy metal concerts so you won’t miss any songs.And a pizza that takes a year and a half to be delivered to your home.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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Nobody's Ugly on Radio: The Superpower of Audio
Mar 2800:27:41Summary readyThis 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.
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It's a Floor Wax and a Dessert Topping: Unintended Product Uses
Mar 2100:27:48Summary readyThere 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.
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Sweaty Billboards: Marketing The Movies
Mar 1400:27:35Summary readyWith 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.
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Small Wonders: Tiny Inventions. Big Impact.
Mar 700:27:49Summary readyThis 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.
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