Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

Apostrophe Podcast Network

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.

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Our Editor's Take

Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly lets listeners into the world of marketing. Host Terry O'Reilly discusses everything from branding comic books to marketing contests. The podcast offers advice on successful ad campaigns and creating brand envy. Terry believes in the art of persuasion. He's been in advertising for more than 30 years. Terry has won many awards for his writing and directing. These include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Marketing Association.

On Under the Influence, Terry reveals the secrets of many advertising strategies. These include the billboard and mobile marketing. Why do some companies put their names on vans and have them drive around with free samples? How much do billboards improve sales? The host also reveals the elements billboards must have. They must communicate an idea in seven words or less in seconds. When a car speeds by on the highway, its drivers and passengers only have moments to absorb a message. Many billboards fail, such as one involving a giant muffin. What went wrong? Terry explains how that campaign crumbled.

The podcast host has learned what makes a product or idea appeal to an audience. It may surprise some to know that antiheroes can attract more people than heroes. Terry explains that the "badass" is very alluring in today's world. Antiheroes unapologetically do the things most people are too scared to do. Advertising reflects popular culture. Companies attentive to cultural shifts are more successful. Terry also lets listeners know what legal tricks advertisers can get away with. Sometimes, "loopholes" cross boundaries and help marketers access forbidden sectors or methods. Terry tells the story of an incident that made one corporation panic.

Terry shares his research in regular "Terry's Bookshelf" and "Bookmarks" episodes. Listeners can learn about what he calls the "age of persuasion" while hearing fascinating stories about the industry.

The podcast comes from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC is a public television and radio broadcaster that includes podcasts. New episodes of Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly appear several times per month.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

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We're back January 6th

We're back January 6th

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 information.

Episodes

Cars Are The Stars: Automobile Brands in Hollywood

Cars Are The Stars: Automobile Brands in Hollywood

Almost every movie and television show needs cars, and auto companies are happy to supply them – because it helps sell a lot of cars. We’ll look back at James Bond and Starsky & Hutch, and explore auto partnerships with movie franchises like Transformers and Marvel. We’ll also tell a crazy story of how the most sought-after car from a Steve McQueen movie was finally found – and the cosmic coincidence that led to its discovery. Cars are the stars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ham on Wry: Sandwich Board Advertising

Ham on Wry: Sandwich Board Advertising

Take a walk down any busy main street, and you’ll probably see one of the oldest forms of advertising: The sandwich board. They have been around for over 200 years. Cities try and ban them.Storekeepers love them. They can make you smile.They can make you angry.They can attract a lot of attention. They are the pop-up ads of the physical world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pants on Fire: When Customers Lie to Marketers

Pants on Fire: When Customers Lie to Marketers

Customers often lie to companies in surveys, polls and focus groups. Yet advertisers rely on that flawed and false feedback to market brands and create advertising campaigns. So what are advertisers to do? One solution is Google. What we type into the Google search window is like a truth serum. We all pour our most intimate, honest questions into that search box. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheeky Advertising

Cheeky Advertising

80% of all advertising is ignored. That’s why some advertisers employ cheeky advertising. It’s usually bold – outrageous – and sometimes even rude – but always with a playful undertone. We’ll talk about a fruit company that printed an open letter to the Pope. An airline campaign that told you to “keep it in your pants.” And a product that claims your grandparents had more sex than you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Billionaire Tourism

Billionaire Tourism

Most tourism marketing aims at the largest audience possible. This week, we look at a sub-category aimed at the smallest audience possible: Billionaire Tourism. The super wealthy get bored easily. That means luxury tour planners dream up extreme vacation ideas. From outer space, to the bottom of the ocean, to secretly getting the key to the Sistine Chapel, it’s a whole new pricey world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When You're This Big, They Call you Mister

When You're This Big, They Call you Mister

There are some time-honored honorifics in the world of marketing. “Honorifics” are titles like Mr., Mrs., Doctor, Captain or Colonel. Like Colonel Sanders, Dr. Scholl’s, Mr. Clean and Mrs. Butterworth’s. They’re usually leaders in their category. Is it because those products are the best? Or – is it because those brand names give the products a sense of respect and authority? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Terry Interviews Arkells Lead Singer Max Kerman

Terry Interviews Arkells Lead Singer Max Kerman

Arkells is a band that likes to have fun.They are also a very smart band that understands the critical mix of artistry and marketing in a competitive industry. Frontman Max Kerman tells Terry the inventive ways they market their music, the creative ideas Arkells use to launch new material, and what marketing from other bands they admire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buy-O-Pics: When Brands Become Movies

Buy-O-Pics: When Brands Become Movies

As Oscar night approaches, we head to theatres to figure out why movies about brands are so popular.“Barbie” is breaking box office records. “Air” tells the story of Nike signing Michael Jordan.“Blackberry” explains the spectacular rise and fall of the first smartphone – and is getting great reviews. And a movie about the origins of McDonald’s – starring Michael Keaton - just might surprise you.They don’t only tell the brand stories, they each ask big, existential questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seeing is Believing: The Power of Demonstration Commercials - Part 2

Seeing is Believing: The Power of Demonstration Commercials - Part 2

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 freshener commercial that tricked blindfolded people into thinking a filthy toilet smelled like flowers.And a stunt where an ad agency put $3 million dollars between the glass of a bus shelter - unguarded, to demonstrate a point. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seeing is Believing: The Power of Demonstration Commercials

Seeing is Believing: The Power of Demonstration Commercials

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 seen.Because there is nothing more powerful than a dramatic product demonstration.We’ll talk about a famous Krazy Glue commercial.And a Volvo ad where the ad writer risked his life to demonstrate a point. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Putting the Awe in Audio

Putting the Awe in Audio

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.

Terry talks with a Cannabis Producer

Terry talks with a Cannabis Producer

Recently, we produced an episode on cannabis marketing. With cannabis legalization, it’s a brand-new, challenging marketing category.As a result of that episode, I asked the Ontario Cannabis Store to introduce me to an actual cannabis producer.I wanted to know how a cannabis producer becomes licensed, how a craft cannabis company competes with the big companies, and how a small cannabis company markets its products in such a highly regulated category.In this bonus episode, I talk to Wallace McDonald-Rogers. He is the founder of Primeau Craft Cannabis. I think you’ll find his answers very interesting - and some of them are surprising. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Marketing of Taylor Swift: (Taylor's Version)

The Marketing of Taylor Swift: (Taylor's Version)

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.And holds over 70 Guinness World Records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cannabis Marketing

Cannabis Marketing

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 copycat brands.Even though they walk a razor’s edge legally, copycat brands seem to pop up all over the world.You may like Walmart here, but there’s a Wumart in China.You may like North Face apparel, but did you know there was a South Butt brand?And, we’ll tell the story of a copycat cookie that overtook the original to become the best-selling cookie in the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disappearing Acts: When Popular Brands Are Discontinued

Disappearing Acts: When Popular Brands Are Discontinued

To kick off our 2024 season, 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.

We're back January 6th

We're back January 6th

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 information.

Sounds That Sell

Sounds That Sell

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 about the world’s most recognizable and interesting sounds.The show’s title comes from the highest frequency that can be perceived within the human hearing range.In this episode, host Dallas Taylor explores the world of advertising jingles.They used to be an advertising staple, but these days, most have disappeared.Except - for insurance company commercials - that are bucking the trend.It’s an interesting sonic journey - and Under The Influence host Terry O'Reilly makes a special appearance.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ask Terry (From the AOP Archives)

Ask Terry (From the AOP Archives)

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 advertising world, and you responded with a record amount of very interesting, very insightful ones that touch on subjects like negative political advertising, why there are so many bad local commercials, and what do background actors really say when their lips move. Join us for some surprising answers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Hot Docs Podcast Festival

Recorded live at the Hot Docs Podcast Festival

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the recent Hot Docs Podcast Festival. It was a fun show where Terry does something he has never done before in 19 years of doing Under The Influence - he tells us the stories behind the commercials he personally wrote or directed.He talks about the one boss who hated his work and the creative director who loved his work. He recounts the backstories to some very funny award-winning commercials, including one that was saved by a Baptist minister, one that was an outright disaster, one that made a restaurant waiter rich, and a story about how Alan Arkin actually asked if he could be in a beer commercial Terry wrote - because it was Arkin’s favourite beer.And as an added bonus, stick around after the show for a fun Q&A with the audience.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.