Episodes
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036 | Season #1 Finale | From Dial-Up to Dialed-In: An Insider POV on Media Sales | Lisa Solomon, Founder/CEO, Atheneum Collective
Season #1 of Commercial Grade is a wrap! Season #2 will kick-off after the holidays with new guests, topics & confessions in advertising. Today's finale features ad sales veteran Lisa Solomon, one of the 1st AOL/Microsoft digital ad sales reps (hello dial-up!) before moving onto NBC/Universal &...
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035 | Are Consultancies Making Ad Agencies Redundant? | Sam Hawkins, Senior Consultant | Deloitte
Competition amongst ad agencies has historically been fierce yet predictable. An agency's foremost competition was typically another shop with similar offerings: Integrated vs. integrated, PR vs. PR, media vs. media. Recently, the landscape has become increasingly complex with traditional...
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034 | "Inside the Agency" Series | Part 2: Creative Direction | Marcus Wesson, Chief Creative Officer| Dailey
Marcus Wesson, award-winning Chief Creative Officer of Dailey Advertising in LA, joins Commercial Grade to talk through the ins and outs of creative production, what it takes to makes an award-winning campaign (think: Carls Jr. burgers & bikinis!) and how he evolved from a junior art director to...
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033 | Diversity, Inclusion & Allies in Advertising | Erin Matts, CEO & Anita May, MD, Hearts & ,
In the second part of my conversation with Erin Matts, CEO, and Anita May, MD, of Omnicom's Hearts & Science, we cover a topic high on the priority list of most agencies and corporations: Diversity, Inclusion & Allies in Advertising. From ageism to sexism, Erin and Anita share challenges they've...
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032 | Media Magic & The Road to CEO | Erin Matts, CEO & Anita May, MD | Hearts & Science
In Part #1 of "Media Magic & The Road to CEO," Erin Matts, CEO, and Anita May, Managing Executive Director, of Omnicom's Hearts & Science global marketing agency, join Christie to talk about the role and power of media in advertising, evolving approaches to data insights and storytelling, and…
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031 | Confessions in Advertising, Volume II
Working in advertising undoubtably results in a variety of crazy, funny, unbelievable experiences that I've dubbed, "Confessions in Advertising." Over the past 30 episodes, Commercial Grade guests have shared surreal and memorable moments from their careers that deserve to be retold. Confessions…
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030 | Confessions in Advertising, Volume 1
Working in advertising undoubtably results in a variety of crazy, funny, unbelievable experiences that I've dubbed, "Confessions in Advertising." Over the past 30 episodes, Commercial Grade guests have shared surreal and memorable moments from their careers that deserve to be retold. Confessions…
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029 | Appearance on Adam Carolla Show | Taco Bell Hotel, Mercedes-Benz & Coors Light campaigns
During this week's episode, I reunite with the Adam Carolla Show gang in studio. We talk new campaigns and pop-ups from Taco Bell, Mercedes-Benz, Coors Light and more. As a teaser, if you have strong opinions on "shower beers," I want to hear them!
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028 | Movie Magic 101: Visual Effects Explained |Darcy Parsons, Co-Founder of Kevin
This episode features another listener requested topic: Inside the world of Visual Effects. Darcy Parsons, a commercial/SNL/MTV producer-turned-visual effects specialist and co-founder of Kevin, a visual effects studio, joins Commercial Grade to talk all things VFX. She takes us behind the…
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027 | Product Placement: Behind The Deals | Joe Shields | VP, Connections, iHeartMedia
Joe Shields, Vice President of Connections at iHeartMedia and life-long product placement fan, takes us deep into the world of Product Placement and Branded Entertainment. Joe discovered his passion for product placement as a youth, moved to LA and never looked back. His expertise runs deep and…
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026 | Demystifying Digital Production | Don Lupo, Digital Producer
If you work in advertising -- or even if you don't -- you've surely heard about the "Digital" wave. Many marketers, advertisers and agency people are enamored with the digital landscape but often get it wrong; chasing digital trends and wasting valuable marketing dollars on low-impact digital...
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025 | Listener Questions | Bryan Bishop, "Voice of the Listener"
Christie answers your biggest questions around advertising campaigns. Bryan Bishop, aka Bald Bryan on the Adam Carolla Show podcast, joins the show to represent the "voice of the listener."
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024 | ThinkLA's "Rise of Podcasting" Panel | Kjerstin Beatty, NBC Universal; Kelly Garner, Treefort; Hernan Lopez, Wondery; Joe Shields, iHeartMedia
Last week, ThinkLA's hosted its annual Entertainment Breakfast where I had the great honor of moderating an all-star panel of executives who've shifted their careers from TV programming to podcast production. This episode features that fantastic discussion with panelists including Kjerstin Beatty...
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023 | From Apple to Samsung: Reviewing & Reporting on Tech | Rich DeMuro, KTLA Tech Reporter
Rich DeMuro, aka "Rich on Tech" and TV tech reporter for KTLA 5, joins Commercial Grade to talk about his career as a tech reporter, how he's built relationships with the Google/Apple/Samsungs of the world as a local reporter, how brands try to solicit his reviews and what you should look for…
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022 | Behind The Music, Part 2 | Anthony Marinelli, Award-Winning Film & TV Composer
In Part Two of "Behind the Music," Anthony Marinelli gives us his professional perspective on ads from Gatorade, Farmers Insurance, Cadillac and Apple. He also breaks down the mechanics of a composing a hit jingle, sharing famous jingles he's created for Disneyland, Big Red, Doublemint Gum, Jolly...
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021 | Behind the Music, Part 1 |Anthony Marinelli |Award-Winning TV & Film Composer
Anthony Marinelli -- award-winning film/TV composer, orchestrator of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and music man behind 80+ film scores and 1000+ TV commercials -- takes listeners into the making of commercial music. From going to the Oscars every year in his youth, to playing synthesizer on…
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020 | Inside IDEO | Meija Jacobs, Senior Director, Design For Food, IDEO
Meija Jacobs, an 11-year IDEO veteran, takes us inside IDEO and demystifies its design-led thinking philosophy. Learn how IDEO operates, how its teams are organized, its proprietary brainstorming and prototyping techniques, and its commitment to making a positive impact on the world. As Senior...
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019 | Grading Commercials For A Living | Tim Nudd, Ad Critic & Editor in Chief, Muse by Clio
Tim Nudd, former Creative Editor of AdWeek and current Editor-in-Chief of Muse by Clio, joins Commercial Grade to talk about his career as a professional advertising critic, his approach to evaluating creative, how advertising has changed over the years, the power of the consumer, and the best…
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018 | Inside Car Dealership Advertising | Jill Jagger, Retail Marketing Director
Y'all keep asking about local car commercials and the expert is on this week's episode! Jill Jagger, a 25-year veteran of the auto dealer world, joins me to answer your questions about how dealerships work, why local car ads tend to be awful, the relationship between car brands and their dealers,...
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017 | The Awakened Agency | Kirk Souder, ECD & Co-Founder, Enso
In a world filled with disingenuous sales pitches and misleading claims, is it possible for advertising to have soul? Kirk Souder, Executive Creative Director and current co-founder of spiritual impact agency, Enso, joins Christie for a deeply revealing conversation on how individuals and...
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016 | "Inside the Agency" Series | Part 1: Account Management | Milind Raval, Managing Director
Join Christie as she kicks off "Inside The Agency," a series within Commercial Grade dedicated to explaining the inner workings of advertising agencies. Learn about the different types of agencies (creative, media, production, etc.), individual departments (account management, strategy, creative,...
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015 | Secrets From The Casting Couch | Ross Lacy, Casting Director
Ross Lacy, one of the entertainment industry's most prominent casting directors and owner of Ross Lacy Casting, joins Christie in a hilarious and insightful conversation about commercial casting. We get to the bottom of the Discover "twins" ads, explain how casting directors think, what actors…
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014 | Advertising Around the Globe | Luis Camano, International Chief Creative Officer
Luis Camano, an international Chief Creative Officer hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, joins Commercial Grade to talk about the techniques behind great international advertising. We explore the meaning of "Global Advertising," investigate multicultural business practices (hint: bribes), and...
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013 | Authentic Self-Promotion | Olympic Swimmer & Author Natalie Coughlin
Natalie Coughlin, twelve-time Olympic medalist-turned-entrepreneur and author of Cook to Thrive: Recipes to Fuel Body and Soul, joins Christie to share her journey beyond Team USA into the world of book writing and winemaking. Natalie shares the realities of book writing, her own brand evolution…
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012 | Do Good, Make Money | Philanthropic Marketing with Laura Probst
From Gillette's #MeToo debacle to Nike's "Dream Crazy" effort, cause- and social-related marketing campaigns are popping up everywhere. Cause marketing expert Laura Probst joins Christie to discuss what it takes to create a successful cause marketing initiative, the biggest mistakes marketers…
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011 | Sports & Athlete Marketing with Wasserman Managing Partner, Steve Astephen
Have you ever wondered how some of your favorite pro athletes lock-in their contracts, negotiate endorsement deals, deal with controversy and hecklers, or become the face of the next Nike/Adidas/Under Armour campaign? Steve Astephen, professional Sports Agent and Managing Partner of Sports...
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010 | Podcast Marketing 101: Yes, You Can Make Money with PodcastOne President, Kit Gray
The #1 question I get asked about Commercial Grade is whether hosts can earn a living from podcasting and, if so, how??? To get the answer, I tapped THE expert: Kit Gray, the co-founder and President of PodcastOne, the first and largest podcasting advertising network. Kit explains how he…
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009 | Secrets To Killer Creative & Copywriting
Ben Kay, a brilliant, hilarious and award-winning Creative Director and Copywriter, joins Christie for an open and insightful discussion on the Creative development process. Take the long way home or lift an extra set because we cover it ALL: The secrets behind creative dev and copywriting, why...
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008 | Beyond Seduction & Stereotypes: Selling Cars To Women
Kimberley Gardiner, the first female VP & Chief Marketing Officer for Mitsubishi Motors USA joins Christie to talk about challenges auto brands experience when marketing to women, how women are often stereotyped in car ads, and share personal experiences rising through the ranks as a woman...
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007 | What's Old Isn't New: Building A Modern Brand Legacy
Mark Miller, Chief Strategy Officer of Team One Advertising and award-winning author of "Legacy in the Making: Building A Long-Term Brand To Stand Out In A Short-Term World," joins Christie to share the secrets behind what it takes to build an inspirational, modern brand legacy. Forget simply...
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006 | Advertising Research 101: Making the Grade
Did you know that many brands perform TONS of research on their advertisements BEFORE they ever hit the airwaves? It's true! The final ad you see has likely gone through rounds of concept testing, focus groups, animatic testing, copy testing and more. Master Market Researcher Jenny Dyke of...
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005 | Lights, Camera, Accident? | The Art & Agony of Production
Award-winning producer Frank Mele joins Christie to break down the art and agony of TV production. Learn exactly what commercial production is, how brilliant pieces of mini-content get made, what life on set is really like and hear crazy stories of everything that can go wrong. Hint: Zombies, car...
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004 | And The Oscar Goes To...
Join Christie as she uncovers the real stars of the 91st Academy Awards: the commercials! Learn how much brands shell out per 30-second commercial, why they were worried about being part of this year's Oscars, how the ratings systems work and which ads made the #CommercialGrade.
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003 | "I Know That Voice!" | Behind The Voiceover with Mike Dawson
Professional voiceover artist and official "voice" of The Adam Carolla Show, Mike Dawson, gives Christie a behind-the-scenes look at the competitive world of voiceover acting. Learn how the voices behind your favorite commercials, audiobooks, video games, podcasts, movie trailers and even AI, get...
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002 | Mayhem, Geckos and Flo: The Big Business of Insurance Advertising
Insurance expert and advertising veteran Lisa Tanner joins Christie to uncover the mysteries of insurance advertising, including Farmers Insurance's craziest claims, GEICO's jaw-dropping budget, AllState's take on Mayhem, Progressive's lovable "Flo," Esurance's attempt at irony with Dennis Quaid...
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001 | Super Bowl 2019 Review
In the debut episode, Christie invites Bald Bryan from The Adam Carolla Show to review and grade the best and worst ads from Super Bowl 2019.
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Preview | Commercial Grade Podcast
Welcome to the Commercial Grade podcast! Listen in as Christie Bishop, an award-winning Advertising Executive, answers your questions and gives you an insider's look at what really goes into crafting advertising campaigns. Looking for more? You can also find Christie contributing on the Adam...