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PODCAST · business

Marketing, Machines & Mischief

by Matthew Newell

The weekly intelligence briefing that actually respects your time and brain cells. Marketing veterans Matthew Newell and Chris Stone deliver 10-minute episodes packed with what happened in marketing that didn't suck, AI developments that won't be obsolete by Thursday, and creative campaigns worth your attention. No fluff. No corporate speak. No hour-long "journeys." Just sharp insights from professionals who've survived enough industry disasters to separate breakthrough from BS. Whether you're running your first campaign or your thousandth rebrand, you'll finish each episode knowing something actionable - plus you'll probably chuckle. Perfect for day-1 and day-10,000 marketers who want concentrated weekly intelligence that moves the needle. Because great marketing isn't just science - it's art, instinct, and knowing which robots to trust. New episodes every week. Real perspective. Actual value.

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Episodes

  1. The "Verification Economy" — When Proof of Humanity Becomes a Paid Media Channel: EP 054

    On this “Kathy Bates Approved” episode of Marketing, Machines & Mischief, Matthew and Chris invite you to the private club of the verification economy, where proof of humanity may matter more than raw digital reach. They discuss private communities, AI slop, deepfake crisis planning, and why…

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  2. Why Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the New SEO: The Death of the 10 Blue Links - EP 053

    Matthew & Chris things off with Taco Bell and Duolingo making people learn a language before earning food rewards. Then they get into the backlash around fossil-fuel advertising, AI-generated green imagery, and whether marketers can really separate technology from the systems powering it. The…

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  3. The Bot Wars: Why Amazon Blocked Meta & The Future of AI Shopping Agents: EP 052

    Amazon is bringing sponsored product placements into ChatGPT, turning conversational search into a new paid channel for marketers. Matthew and Chris unbox what “answer engine optimization” could mean for campaigns, product data, and the future of discovery. The conversation also takes on Google’s...

  4. The “Anti-Slop” Premium: Why Perfect AI Content Is Failing - EP 051

    Is AI making marketing better, or just making the internet noisier? In this episode, Matthew and Chris examine LinkedIn’s crackdown on generic AI content, YouTube’s new view metric, and Meta’s push to measure chatbot ROI. They also unpack the “anti-slop premium,” the performance cost of content...

  5. The Death Of The Marketing Agency: Who Survives Marketing’s AI Consolidation? - EP 050

    AI is moving from marketing tool to marketing territory. Matthew and Chris examine ChatGPT’s rapidly growing advertising business, the rise of real-life experiences as premium marketing assets, and the latest forecast pushing U.S. ad spending toward a historic milestone. Then they tackle the…

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  6. The Great Marketing Shakeout: Surviving Layoffs, Burnout, and Broken Agency Culture - EP 049

    If you're watching AI eat your industry's budget while HR quietly circles the wagons, you need to hear this episode before your name shows up on a spreadsheet somewhere. Agencies are cutting 15% of their workforce. 90% of them think AI is coming for the rest. And nearly two-thirds of marketers...

  7. Dark Social Marketing: The $60 Billion Attribution Gap Marketers Can’t See - EP 048

    Why can your best customers remember the recommendation, but not the ad that started it? Matthew and Chris investigate the $60 billion attribution gap created by private messages, social platforms, podcasts, and AI tools. They also unpack Wendy’s appointment of former McDonald’s CMO Tariq Hassan,...

  8. Fandom, Authenticity, and the Risk of Rebranding -- EP 047

    Can a marketing department create fandom, or can it only recognize, enable, and occasionally ruin it? In this episode, Matthew and Chris examine the thin line between a repeat customer and a genuine fan, from Mountain Dew loyalty and learning Klingon to Lego, Formula 1, Poppi, and shows revived…

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  9. How to Get Found by ChatGPT: The New Rules of AI Search (GEO Explained) -- EP 046

    If you're still white-knuckling your Google ranking while ChatGPT quietly decides which brands get mentioned — and which get ghosted — you're already playing yesterday's game. This week on Marketing, Machines & Mischief, Matthew and Chris break down what it actually takes to get cited by ChatGPT,...

  10. Big Pharma’s Bizarre TV Ads: Behind the Madness and the Marketing -- EP 045

    On today’s episode, Matthew & Chris tumble down the wild and wacky rabbit hole of Big Pharma’s prescription drug TV advertising—where anime secret agents fight nausea, Broadway musical numbers break out over diabetes meds, and even the ball dog steals the commercial. The duo also unpacks some of...

  11. How Small Businesses Can Win With Marketing Automation and AI Without Losing Their Unique Voice – EP 044

    e want small businesses to succeed. We jump into the everyday challenges that small businesses face when it comes to marketing strategy, exploring where entrepreneurs should focus their limited time, money, and energy—and what they can afford to skip. The episode kicks off with a rundown of the...

  12. The Future of Marketing to Children in an AI-Driven World – EP 043

    t’s high time we get into the future of marketing to children in an era shaped by AI and digital connectivity. We tackle everything from international legislation—like France’s recent ban on social media for kids under 15—to the ever-evolving patchwork of US regulations, and the ingenious ways...

  13. Breaking Down World Cup 2026: Record-Breaking Viewership and Unexpected Brand Victories – EP 042

    Welcome to this special quadrennial edition of Marketing, Machines & Mischief! In this banger, we break down the marketing madness behind the 2026 FIFA World Cup—doing deeeeeep into the record-shattering viewership, standout advertising moments, unexpected brand winners (hello, ranch dressing!),...

  14. AI’s Invasion: How Amazon, Spotify, and Uber Are Taking Over Ads – EP 041

    We dive into the rapidly changing world of digital advertising and retail innovation. From ChatGPT cautiously opening ad opportunities in regulated industries to Spotify and Amazon revolutionizing their ad platforms, the landscape is shifting fast. We'll cover how trust issues and measurement...

  15. We Ranked 2026's Best and Worst Marketing Campaigns (One Involves a Fugitive President) : EP 040

    Halfway through 2026 and the marketing world has already delivered a synthetic skin car that sunburns on camera, a dictator in a hoodie generating millions of free impressions, and kids' juice brands quietly adding vodka to the lineup. Matthew and Chris break down exactly what made a campaign a...

  16. Airbnb’s World Cup Win, Losing Ferrari’s CMO, and Influencers’ Big Impact on Product Discovery : EP 039

    Your favorite Marketing specialists dive into the biggest stories shaking up the marketing world: Polymarket faces a lawsuit over deceptive influencer tactics, with fake “winning” bet videos and undisclosed sponsorships under heavy scrutiny. Influencer marketing’s power keeps growing—now, more…

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  17. OpenAI’s Ambitious Goals, Sesame Street Scam Defense & World Cup Brand Cover-Ups : EP 038

    We break down down OpenAI’s debut at Cannes Lions and its bold ambitions to redefine the advertising business. We examine how the “time and materials” agency model is declared dead, dig into the ongoing saga of advertising transparency, and spotlight Sesame Street’s Count going undercover in an...

  18. How a College Professor Prepares Students for Real-World Influencer Marketing & Content Creation: EP 037

    Get ready to be the smartest marketer in the room. In today’s episode, Matthew and Chris welcome special guest Jacob Hiler—a professor at Ohio University and pioneer of the Influencer 101 course—and his students’ BS Meters were off the charts! First, we explore DoorDash’s transformation into a...

  19. Grand Theft Auto 6 Teaches Us Why Marketing Never Stops for Iconic Brands: EP 036

    Matthew and Chris dive into the high-stakes marketing juggernaut behind the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Hear why even the world's most famous game franchise needs a massive push—and what that means for marketers everywhere. Then, the duo unpacks the FTC's latest crackdown on deceptive...

  20. Google and Meta Push AI Agents, Indian Ad Trends, and Pizza Proposals: EP 035

    We’re serving you up a rapid-fire rundown of the hottest industry headlines, from Google’s game-changing AI ad formats to the rise of locally driven marketing in India. Dive into the seismic shift toward agentic advertising, where AI is poised to take the wheel on campaign creation and...

  21. Tesla’s Autopilot Debacle, Tobacco Tactics, and College Influencer Classes: This Week in Marketing: EP 034

    This week, Matthew and Chris tackle Tesla’s latest legal tangle over its “autopilot” claims, shine a spotlight on tobacco companies’ sneaky tactics to lure young users with kid-friendly nicotine pouches, and celebrate the rise of influencer marketing as a legit college course. Plus, stick around…

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  22. Airwallex Ignites, Meta Tops Google, and The Rise of Forced Market Regress: EP 033

    Welcome back, marketers, influencers, and mischief-makers! In this week’s episode of "Marketing, Machines & Mischief," Matthew and Chris break down the biggest headlines shaking up the world of advertising. Meta is set to overtake Google in global ad revenue for the first time ever—find out what...

  23. Sunburnt Seats and Microsoft Toilet Ads: Unbelievable Campaigns Changing Marketing Forever: EP 032

    We break down the week’s wildest updates from the world of marketing. Get the first look at ChatGPT’s new AI ad platform – where $100 million flowed in just six weeks, but brands are keeping suspiciously quiet about their results. We also dive into the surprising resurrection of digital cookies,...

  24. Zero Click Marketing, Crispy KFC Fashion, and Nutella in Space: This Week in Bold Branding: EP 031

    Your favorite marketing astronauts float into the rise of zero click marketing, dissect Duolingo’s shift from “unhinged” social media antics to a more wholesome approach, and react to the Cannes Lions Festival’s brand new AI Craft Award. Plus, don’t miss our spotlight on KFC Brazil’s…

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  25. How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying: EP 030

    In this action-packed episode, Matthew and Chris tackle the latest in marketing trends and industry shifts. They break down the rise of always-on A/B testing, Apple’s expansion of its ad platform under the new Apple Business, and the ongoing tension between privacy and advertising reach. Plus,...

  26. Spotify’s AI Playlists, Budweiser’s Legacy, and the Problem with Boozy Sunny D: EP 029

    Buckle up, fellow marketing misfits! We’re taking streaming TV from the kids’ table to the sales funnel main course, and trust me, it gets messier than our coffee budget mid-campaign. We’re also dishing out the latest drama with WPP – because nothing screams PR like a 6,000-person game of…

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  27. Infant Formula Advertising Under Fire, AI Ad Spending Surges, and LEGO’s World Cup Marketing Magic: EP 028

    We take you on a whirlwind tour of the week’s most buzzworthy marketing happenings. In addition to Zuck’s “Rotisserie Oven Of Ai Advertising,” we dive into Australia’s bold move to restrict infant formula advertising, go behind the scenes on the skyrocketing growth of AI-driven ad spending, and...

  28. Microtonal Marketing Strategies Even Angine de Poitrine Thinks Are The Future: EP 027

    This week, we dive into everything from the polarizing rise of AI in advertising to microtonal shifts in influencer marketing and the massive restructuring of ad giant WPP. Plus, we spotlight McDonald’s clever “horizontal breakfast” campaign and brilliant real-time ads from the Miami Open, before...

  29. Inside Celsius and Rockstar’s In-House Ad Shift, Live Sports’ Ad Power, and Toyota’s Mermaid Moment: EP 026

    We kick things off with big news about Celsius and Rockstar Energy bringing their ad game in-house to gain speed and authenticity, and dig into why live sports are still the kingpins of ad-supported TV. No punches pulled as we tackle the age-old lesson that customer retention—not constant...

  30. Boy Throb’s Sponsorship Saga, Coinbase’s Creative, and AI Shaking Up the Industry: EP 025

    From ChatGPT's slow but intentional rollout of its new ad capabilities, to Netflix experimenting with interactive and live ads, and even the rise of synthetic focus group testing – a trend your boss will soon be buzzing about – we’ve got you covered. It doesn’t stop there! We spotlight ingenious...

  31. Is AI Taking Over Creative Briefs? Exploring Luma’s Bold Marketing Claims: EP 024

    An up-and-coming AI platform promises to automate ad campaigns from start to finish, major US cities are spending millions to woo back Canadian tourists, and brands are kickstarting summer campaigns earlier than ever thanks to changing weather patterns. Along the way, Matthew and Chris spotlight...

  32. Artists and Robots: Blending Human Creativity with AI for Unforgettable Brand Experiences: EP 023

    In today’s milestone episode, Matthew, Chris and guests Jason Alan Snyder and Heather Salkin dive into a future where artists and robots collaborate to reshape advertising. We kick things off by exploring the game-changing debut of ChatGPT ads – now accessible through Criteo – signaling a seismic...

  33. Dunkin's $500 Glove, Google's Clickbait Crackdown & A $100M Whistleblower Bombshell: EP 022

    Dunkin' sold a single pink glove and the internet lost its mind. Google just dropped a core update that's coming for your clickbait. And a WPP whistleblower just forced one of the world's biggest ad agencies to show receipts on BILLIONS in client spend. 👀 📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In...

  34. Social Media Scams Explode, Target Rolls Out AI Ads, Midwest Agencies Thrive: EP 021

    From the ridiculous scale of social media scams – now a multibillion-dollar business (thanks, Zuck) – to the ambitious rollout of contextual ChatGPT ads by Target, we serve up essential insights with a side of sass. Plus, while coastal agencies face cutbacks, America's heartland emerges as an...

  35. Marketing Mayhem: Super Bowl Budgets, Pepsi vs Coke, and Ryanair Roasts Musk

    This week, Matthew and Chris kick off with the Super Bowl smashing its own ad pricing records, discuss how France’s Publicis is outpacing global competitors with bold moves in data and tech, and explore the Gen Z shift from influencer culture to community-driven hangouts. From Pepsi’s audacious...

  36. Skittles’ Live Super Bowl Stunt and Now ChatGPT Has Ads?: EP 019

    Think Super Bowl ads end when the game does? Think again. Big news: OpenAI and ChatGPT are about to start testing ads, opening new possibilities (and a $250k minimum) for the biggest brands. Plus, newsletter ads are making a major comeback, catching many by surprise and proving that some “old...

  37. Super Bowl Marketing's Biggest Secret: The Monday Morning Effect Revealed: EP 018

    Think Super Bowl ads end when the game does? Think again. Matthew breaks down the Monday Morning Effect — the secret sauce that separates Super Bowl advertising winners from the $7 million failures. It's not about who gets talked about on Sunday night. It's about who makes you do something on...

  38. The Jonas Brothers Roast AI Ads and Progresso’s Soup Drop Genius: EP 017

    Matthew and Chris make sense of brand chaos and AI overload - no martinis required. This episode serves up marketers dodging X’s drama, brands swapping digital fatigue for real-world immersion, and why fewer, punchier ideas beat endless AI slop. Stick around for a Jonas Brothers shirtless cameo,...

  39. From CES Buzz to Maduro’s Origin Hoodie: Marketing Moments Already Shaping 2026: EP 016

    CES isn't just about gadget specs anymore - it's about hype, narratives, and brands battling for attention in a TikTok-fueled media circus. Matthew & Chris unpack how platforms like Roblox are quietly becoming the true frontier for brand engagement among younger audiences, outpacing the glitz of...

  40. AI in Marketing: Not a Replacement, But Definitely a Babysitting Job: EP 015

    In this episode, the duo dives into the ongoing tug-of-war between CMOs and CFOs over what really counts as marketing success, the explosive rise of retail media as an essential - not optional - channel, and why AI isn’t replacing marketing teams, but transforming how they’re built. Plus, they...

  41. Timothée Chalamet's Marketing Genius (And What Brands Can Steal From It): EP 014

    What if the best marketing move you could make is to stop overthinking it? This week, Matthew and Chris dissect Unilever's baffling decision to hire 300,000 influencers (yes, really), Timothée Chalamet's unhinged genius in film marketing, and why the YMCA's 175th anniversary rebrand didn't need...

  42. Facebook Puts Scam Ads Next to Yours & Why The Pirate Logo Is The Captain Now: EP 013

    What happens when 19% of a tech giant's revenue comes from scam ads running right next to your brand? Matthew and Chris dive into Meta's $3 billion scandal, WPP's shocking valuation collapse, and why the UK just banned junk food advertising after 9 PM. This week's episode cuts through the noise...

  43. Your DoorDash Data Is Worth More Than You Think (+ The Great Tea Wars of 2026): EP 012

    If you're tired of marketing podcasts that waste 45 minutes saying what could've been said in 10, this episode cuts straight to what actually matters this week. Matthew and Chris break down the $1.14 trillion global ad spend surge (spoiler: AI's burning cash faster than a tipsy sailor), Uber's…

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  44. The Pope in Puffer Jackets & PR Nightmares: AI's Crisis Communication Problem: EP 011

    If you're tired of marketing podcasts that waste your time with generic advice and hour-long interviews about someone's "journey," this episode cuts straight to what actually matters this week. Matthew and Chris dissect a cautionary tale from the ad tech world - how a billion-dollar merger…

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  45. Why TikTok Shop Just Changed Black Friday Forever (Plus Adobe's Bold Move): EP 010

    If you're tired of sifting through endless marketing noise to find what actually matters, this episode cuts straight to the good stuff. Matthew and Chris break down TikTok's explosive $500M Black Friday weekend, Adobe's surprise $2B acquisition of SEMrush, and why 77% of customers are angrier…

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  46. AI Is Taking Marketing Jobs (But Not How You Think) | Fox News AI Deal + Industry Layoffs Exposed: EP 009

    If you're tired of marketing podcasts that waste 45 minutes saying nothing, buckle up for 10 minutes of actual intelligence. This week, Matthew and Chris break down Fox News Media's new AI partnership with Palantir Technologies and what it means for the future of ad targeting and audience…

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  47. 10% of Meta's Ads Are SCAMS + The UPS Store's Brilliant Anti-AI Campaign: EP 008

    If you're tired of scrolling through marketing news that feels like AI-generated slop, this episode cuts through the noise with the stories that actually matter. Matthew and Chris break down Meta's $16 billion scam ad scandal (yes, beeeellion), the launch of Artists & Robots - a new agency built…

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  48. Why Amazon Is Running the SAME Ad Again (And Beating Everyone Else): EP 007

    If you're tired of sifting through marketing noise and want the distilled truth about what's actually moving the needle right now - this episode is your shortcut. Matthew and Chris break down the week's most critical shifts: why Comcast's latest acquisition is collapsing the wall between...

  49. Why 82% of Internet Traffic Is Now Video | Marketing Intelligence You Actually Need: EP 006

    We deliver the intelligence briefing marketers actually need: why short form video is eating 82% of internet traffic (and getting 2.5X more engagement), how Coca-Cola is doubling down on controversial AI holiday ads despite last year's backlash, and why live sports remain the last mass audience...

  50. The Anti-AI Backlash Begins: Major Brands Say No to AI Marketing: EP 005

    If you're tired of wading through hour-long marketing podcasts that treat every social post like a Nobel Prize achievement, this episode cuts straight to what actually matters. Matthew & Chris dissect WPP's new AI self-service platform (yes, the company that started as Wire and Plastic Products),...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The weekly intelligence briefing that actually respects your time and brain cells. Marketing veterans Matthew Newell and Chris Stone deliver 10-minute episodes packed with what happened in marketing that didn't suck, AI developments that won't be obsolete by Thursday, and creative campaigns worth your attention. No fluff. No corporate speak. No hour-long "journeys." Just sharp insights from professionals who've survived enough industry disasters to separate breakthrough from BS. Whether you're running your first campaign or your thousandth rebrand, you'll finish each episode knowing something actionable - plus you'll probably chuckle. Perfect for day-1 and day-10,000 marketers who want concentrated weekly intelligence that moves the needle. Because great marketing isn't just science - it's art, instinct, and knowing which robots to trust. New episodes every week. Real perspective. Actual value.

HOSTED BY

Matthew Newell

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Marketing, Machines & Mischief have?

Marketing, Machines & Mischief currently has 54 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Marketing, Machines & Mischief about?

The weekly intelligence briefing that actually respects your time and brain cells. Marketing veterans Matthew Newell and Chris Stone deliver 10-minute episodes packed with what happened in marketing that didn't suck, AI developments that won't be obsolete by Thursday, and creative campaigns worth...

How often does Marketing, Machines & Mischief release new episodes?

Marketing, Machines & Mischief has 54 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Marketing, Machines & Mischief?

You can listen to Marketing, Machines & Mischief on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Marketing, Machines & Mischief?

Marketing, Machines & Mischief is created and hosted by Matthew Newell.
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