Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

Apostrophe Podcast Network

  • 27 minutes 41 seconds
    Selling Violence: Marketing Combat Sports

    This 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’tsubscribe ad-free here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    11 April 2026, 3:56 pm
  • 27 minutes 52 seconds
    Unhinged Advertising: The Power of the Absurd

    This 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’tsubscribe ad-free here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 April 2026, 3:56 pm
  • 27 minutes 41 seconds
    Nobody's Ugly on Radio: The Superpower of Audio

    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’tsubscribe ad-free here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 March 2026, 3:56 pm
  • 27 minutes 48 seconds
    It's a Floor Wax and a Dessert Topping: Unintended Product Uses

    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’tsubscribe ad-free here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 March 2026, 3:56 pm
  • 27 minutes 35 seconds
    Sweaty Billboards: Marketing The Movies

    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’tsubscribe ad-free here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 March 2026, 3:56 pm
  • 27 minutes 49 seconds
    Small Wonders: Tiny Inventions. Big Impact.

    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’tsubscribe ad-free here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    7 March 2026, 4:56 pm
  • 27 minutes 46 seconds
    Car Cuisine: Car Companies in the Food Business

    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’tsubscribe ad-free here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 February 2026, 4:56 pm
  • 27 minutes 59 seconds
    From Tiffany’s to Donkeys: Catalogues Rise Again

    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’tsubscribe ad-free here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 February 2026, 4:56 pm
  • 27 minutes 11 seconds
    Happy World Radio Day. Revisiting "Air Quotes: Creative Radio"

    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’tsubscribe ad-free here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 February 2026, 10:05 pm
  • 34 minutes 30 seconds
    Terry Ranks The Super Bowl 60 Ads

    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’tsubscribe ad-free here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 February 2026, 12:30 am
  • 27 minutes 34 seconds
    Jingles: Rhythmic Instruction Manuals

    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’tsubscribe ad-free here.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    7 February 2026, 4:56 pm
  • More Episodes? Get the App