Pattern Interrupts, AI Slop, and the Return of Realness in Ads

Is the era of overly polished, AI-generated ads finally dying? In this episode, Caleb and Matthew sit down with performance strategist Elly Charland to break down what’s actually working in ad creative right now, from viral hooks and pattern interrupts to low-budget videos that outperform studio shoots. It’s a deep dive into why “realness” is winning and how even a phone-filmed ad can dominate in 2025.The gang unpack everything from rage-baiting and Thanos memes to the creative gold found in simple Instagram stories. You’ll hear why organic and paid content need to work together, how to avoid falling into AI slop territory, and how sincere, scrappy content can build trust fast. If you want your ads to connect, convert, and stop the scroll, this is the playbook.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode! And if you have a moment, please rate and share!