There are things in the world of marketing that are forbidden.

It’s illegal to use certain sounds, for example. If an advertiser does use them, they are heavily fined.

In some countries, there are rules around using national anthems in commercials. In other countries, there are no rules.

And even Winnie the Pooh is forbidden in one country because it apparently makes fun of their leader.

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During SNL's recent 50th anniversary special, it showed a montage of their famous commercial parodies. Here’s an episode that talks about those and many others - and how SNL influenced the ad writers of my generation.

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This week, we look at how some companies advertise to haters.

Every advertiser gets negative comments on social media. Some brands shrink away – and some take those negative comments and spin them into marketing gold.

Supercuts took negative comments about cheap haircuts and created a hilarious advertising campaign.

Spirit Airlines gave haters a place to vent – then offered them 8,000 free air miles.

And drink maker Oatly, actually dedicated a website to their haters.

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This week, we take a whiff of some of the strangest fragrances being marketed today.

Choosing a perfume or cologne is a form of personal expression. What you smell like says something about you.

But does that include bacon perfume? Or mayonnaise cologne?

There’s a fragrance that makes you smell like a bakery, and a soap for men that smells like gasoline.

Uncommon Scents.

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This week, we talk about some of the most interesting people throughout history – and the fact they all had a consistent personal style.

Consistency is the key to branding, and these famous people all understood that.

We’ll take a look at Julius Caesar, who shocked fellow Romans with the way he dressed and acted.

We’ll examine the incredible popularity of Charlie Chaplin’s “Little Tramp” character that never changed throughout 25 films.

And we’ll talk about celebrities who adopted a singular colour as their personal branding – like Prince and Johnny Cash.

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This week, we look at the marketing of ICE.

It may sound like a strange topic, but our obsession with ice - as a product - is only 200 years old.

The history of ice marketing starts with an amazing story about a bold entrepreneur with a vision, the cutthroat clash between competing ice companies, and the long list of ice brands and products that has transformed our lives.

It's a remarkable story.

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This week, we take a look at Last Chance Tourism.

Tourism companies around the world have started to advertise specific destinations to travelers, because those locations have a very unique offering.

Namely, they are vanishing.

From glaciers, to polar bears, to the Amazon Rainforest. Marketers are using a strategy called “Loss Aversion” – where the emotional impact of a loss is felt more intensely than a gain.

So people are rushing to these locations, afraid they might miss their last chance to see them.

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In our first episode of 2025, we explore a strange aspect of advertising.

Specifically, when TV and movie characters endorse products. Not the actors themselves - but the characters they portray.

It's a trend that started in the early '60s with the Andy Griffith Show and Bonanza.

Today, it includes characters like Breaking Bad's Walter White and even Phil Dunphy from Modern Family.

Sometimes it's funny - and sometimes it bends the time/space continuum.

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As you might know, the team behind Under The Influence has more podcasts executive produced by Terry. The story in this episode of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe is the most requested Vinyl Cafe story of all time.

"Today is the day Dave cooks the turkey!" Jess tells us why it gives her such pleasure to say those words, and plays the beloved story that has become a Christmas tradition for so many. So roll out the cookies, grab the wrapping paper or trim the tree as you enjoy "Dave Cooks the Turkey." And check out Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe for more holiday favourites.

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Terry was recently interviewed on Dr. Andrea Wojnicki's podcast, Talk About Talk. Andrea is an executive communications coach. She helps executives improve their communication skills and elevate their confidence and credibility.

It is an interesting chat about communication. Hope you enjoy it.

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