Strange Coordinates

In our newest episode of Strange Coordinates, we’re going back to 2009: the year of Kanye at the VMAs, the Miracle on the Hudson, and the 56% market share peak of the BlackBerry. But this isn't just a nostalgia trip. We’re digging into how a tactile email machine reshaped global politics, contributed to the 2008 financial crisis, and turned us all into rats in a digital Skinner Box. Are you using your phone, or is it using you?---territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.comFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@strangecoordinatesWant to see our faces while we talk? You can also find Strange Coordinates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeCoordinates---Show art & design by Chris Allen Marketing by Billy Silverman Episode music by Blue Dot Sessions Editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

Usually on Strange Coordinates, we use brands as roadmaps to arrive at surprising places. Today, we’re arriving somewhere literal: a production set.We’ve pulled back the curtain on our latest collaboration with Zesty Paws to explore the friction, the "hot lights," and the specific magic that happens when creative intuition meets analytical rigor. We’re interviewing the makers and the marketers from both the territorial and Zesty Paws teams to find out what actually happens behind the monitor.---Learn more about Zesty Paws: https://zestypaws.com/---territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world.To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.comFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorialFollow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@strangecoordinatesWant to see our faces while we talk? You can also find Strange Coordinates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeCoordinatesSubscribe to our newsletter: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding: https://www.weareterritorial.com/bot-friendly-branding---CreditsShow art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Topher BurnsMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions

In our newest episode of Strange Coordinates, we dive into Eli Lilly and the fine line between being a "pharmaceutical company" and "a medicine company." We track their journey from standardizing doses in the 1800s to navigating the cultural minefield of GLP-1s and a $15 billion Twitter crisis. Everyone wants to be a hero… but do they have the history to back it up? --- territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@strangecoordinates Want to see our faces while we talk? You can also find Strange Coordinates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeCoordinates--- Show art & design by Chris Allen Marketing by Billy Silverman Episode music by Blue Dot Sessions Video editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

In our newest episode of Strange Coordinates, we dive into OpenAI and the identity crisis happening across the landscape. Everyone’s racing to make emotional, cinematic ads… but do they know what they stand for?---territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.comFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorialFollow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@strangecoordinatesSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeCoordinates ---Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

In our latest Strange(r) Coordinates interview, we sat down with Kelly Colbert, fractional CMO for the Humane Society, to explore how brand strategy works when your goal is purpose, not profit. From her days at Anthem to leading communications for one of the world’s top animal welfare organizations, Kelly shares insights on authenticity, empathy, and storytelling that connects hearts as much as minds.---https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellycolbert/---📌 Subscribe on YouTube for more Strange(r) Coordinates: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeCoordinates?sub_confirmation=1---Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding: https://www.weareterritorial.com/bot-friendly-branding---CreditsShow art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

How did a simple dog biscuit become a cultural icon? 🦴In this episode of Strange Coordinates, Topher Burns and Robert Balog explore the surprising story of Milk-Bone — a brand that turned an everyday pet treat into a ritual, a household name, and even a piece of advertising history.You’ll learn:🐾 How Milk-Bone went from functional snack to cultural symbol🐾 Why advertising shaped not just what dogs eat, but how people relate to them🐾 The role of play, absurdity, and memory in building lasting brandsIf you’ve ever given your dog a treat without thinking twice, you’ve been part of Milk-Bone’s story.---territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorialSubscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding: https://www.weareterritorial.com/bot-friendly-branding---Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

In this episode of Strange(r) Coordinates, Aydan Sarikaya and Robert Balog talk with Ben Jenkins about the signals, impressions, and contexts that drive creative work and shape how people experience brands. From the way we read meaning before we hear messages, to the role of culture in creativity, this conversation explores the messy, human side of brand building.We discuss:Why brands are interpreted faster than they’re understoodHow ambiguity and creativity go hand in handWhat it means to make meaning in a world of noise and speedIf branding is about stories, this episode shows why you don’t always get to hold the pen.---Ben Jenkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bensjenkins/Okay Human on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okayhuman/---Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding: https://www.weareterritorial.com/bot-friendly-branding---CreditsShow art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

The history of Post-It Notes begins with a glue that didn’t work.What started as a failed aerospace adhesive at 3M became one of the most unlikely and influential inventions in creative culture. From agency war rooms to startup whiteboards to digital tools like Miro and Figma, sticky notes have shaped how we think, collaborate, and build ideas.In this episode of Strange Coordinates, Topher Burns and Robert Balog unpack:How Post-It Notes were accidentally inventedWhy they became the universal language of brainstormingWhat their survival in the digital era tells us about branding and innovationIf you’ve ever stuck an idea on the wall, you’re already part of this story.Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding: https://www.weareterritorial.com/bot-friendly-brandingCheck out our YouTube channel to look at our faces while you listen: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeCoordinates CreditsShow art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

In this episode of Strange(r) Coordinates, we're diving into the explosive growth of women’s sports—and the powerful branding and storytelling opportunities that come with it.Co-host Aydan Sarikaya is joined by territorial colleague Julie Sullivan and special guest Andrea Buccilla, a documentary and commercial director known for her work on Shattered Glass and Power Forward, a Delta x WNBA series.From WNBA valuations and brand sponsorships to why women’s sports are finally getting their spotlight, we explore: • Why now is a breakthrough moment for women’s leagues • How Andrea crafts authentic stories in a space often overlooked • What smart brands are doing right when entering this space • The power of product placement, athlete-driven content, and fandom as cultural currencyIf you're into branding, sports media, or the future of advertising in culture—you’ll want to hit play.👇 Drop a comment if you’ve been to a WNBA game—or want to.And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share.-Andrea Buccilla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-buccilla/ Veteran Made: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veteranmadeproductions/-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorialSubscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28-Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore

How did a nondescript running shoe like New Balance become a millennial fashion statement? Topher Burns and Robert Balog explore the surprising intersections of atheltics, fashion, inequality, and barnyard animals.-Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28-Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding: https://www.weareterritorial.com/bot-friendly-branding-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial-Want to see our faces while we talk? You can also find Strange Coordinates wherever you get your podcasts. -Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

In our latest Strange(r) Coordinates interview, Eli Altman of A Hundred Monkeys gives us insight into the world of naming. Also, we explore how he thinks of sustainable growth and why the least-tenured person at his company has been there for six years.It’s the best of interviews, it’s the… blurst of interviews?Eli Altman on LinkedInA Hundred Monkeys on LinkedInSubscribe to our mailing list Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial-Want to see our faces while we talk? You can also find Strange Coordinates on YouTube. -Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

Watch the full webinar hereSubscribe to our mailing listAI comes up a lot on Strange Coordinates, and it comes up a lot in our ad agency’s work as well. You might have a brand people love, but if you can make AI love it too, you can tap into a whole new world of growth. We recently held a webinar with our co-founder Topher Burns and Brian Stempeck of Evertune AI for a conversation about what it means for a brand to be ready for the AI revolution; we’re including it here as a bonus episode for our podcast listeners / watchers.-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorialLearn more about Evertune at https://www.evertune.ai/-Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

Register for our upcoming webinar on the intersection of AI and brand designOur Chiquita episode bounces between anthropomorphic fruit mascots and Columbian death squads, with a lot of thoughtful criticism of greenwashing and cultural insensitivity in between. Classic #StrangeCoordinates.-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorialSubscribe to our mailing list-Want to see our faces while we talk? You can also find Strange Coordinates on YouTube. -Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/-

On our latest Strange(r) Coordinates, we talk to Sree Sreenivasan, digital mentor and expert in training people to adopt generative AI. Aydan and Topher chat with Sree about how this disruption might compare with the social media revolution of the 2010s, and how we can collectively envision a better future for this nascent technology.Find out more about Digimentors: https://www.digimentors.group/https://www.linkedin.com/company/digimentors/Check out Sree’s NYT Readalong series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEB5yMzF2sQ&list=PLpcj64uXCCR-TTeP4RrCnF9pAYutl4iuL&index=2 -territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial-Want to see our faces while we talk? Watch instead! You can find Strange Coordinates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeCoordinates-Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/-Follow territorial on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorialFollow Aydan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sreenivasan/Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28

Eleven episodes in, and it feels like our podcast is aging gracefully. That’s why it feels like a perfect time to twist the cap on Oil of Olay, also known as Olay — depending on how old you are. Topher and Robert explore the various ways Olay has been ahead of its time and unfortunately very much of its time throughout its storied history.-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial-Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot SessionsVideo editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/-Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28

In our new episode on Cuisinart, we learn that Weird Al Yankovic described his brain as a “pop culture Cuisinart.” Interestingly, the episode itself is a sort of pop culture food processor, full of digressions on topics like Macbooks, 30 Rock, American spycraft, and even Con Air (1997).-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial-Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions-Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28

If you’ve worked with territorial over the last three years, you’ve experienced our signature flavor. For 2025, we’re truly kicking things up: joining us to explain what’s changing is Aydan Sarikaya. Check out Aydan’s GoodReads profileTopher’s gardening podcast, Clippings-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn-Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions-Follow territorial on LinkedInFollow Aydan on LinkedInSubscribe to our mailing list

Why do Ferrari, Porsche, and Ducati all have black stallions emblazoned on their logos? The answer is probably more interesting than you think — from both a historical and sociological perspective! Topher and Robert are firing on all cylinders as Strange Coordinates covers Ferrari’s identity and origins.Links discussed in the episode:Most Mentioned Vehicles in Rap and Hip-Hop Songs: https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g26087850/cars-in-rap-hip-hop-songs-music/These Are The 12 Most-Mentioned Cars In Hip-Hop: https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/expensive-cars-rappers-favorite/ Ferrari Logo History: https://www.ferrarilakeforest.com/manufacturer-information/ferrari-logo-historyThe tale of the domesticated horse: https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/living-world/2022/tale-domesticated-horse-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial-Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions-Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28

’Tis the season for… brand activations? PR is all about creating a moment that grabs attention — and few moments hold our collective attention like the holidays. On our latest Strange(r) Coordinates, we talk to Maureen Golga of Weber Shandwick about how some brands are able to cut through the noise in the hectic final stretch of the year. More info on the answers to the “Off Brand” quiz:“When Christmas Started Creeping”, Contingent Magazine“Christmas Season Starts Earlier Every Year!”, Slate“Consumer Spending Trends: How Much Will Holiday Shoppers Spend This Year?”, Salsify-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial-Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions-Follow territorial on LinkedInFollow Maureen on LinkedInSubscribe to our mailing list

No matter who you are, the past few weeks have probably felt stressful. Take a break from the doomscrolling and enjoy two brand guys gushing about Crayola.-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial-Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions-Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28

Strange(r) Coordinates is back. This time, we’re chatting with Rameez Tase, co-founder and president of our client Antenna, about the long love affair between brands, media, and entertainment.-territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial-Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions-Follow territorial on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorialFollow Rameez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rtaseSubscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28

Is Boeing living up to their brand strategy of "leading on safety"? On the latest Strange Coordinates, Topher Burns and Robert Balog are taking to the skies with the first B2B brand we've covered on the show.For more about our ad agency territorial and how we help brands find their place in the world check out our website weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn.Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions

In this spinoff series, we bring along a guest on our Strange Coordinates journey. We call it: Strange(r) Coordinates. -Inspired by our investigation into NordicTrack, we chatted with Adam Christensen, CMO of Notified, about ownership and walled gardens in the digital age. What does it mean for brands when software updates — or user tinkering — can totally change a product from its original designs?-For more about our ad agency territorial and how we help brands find their place in the world check out our website weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn.-Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions-Follow Adam on LinkedInCheck out our NordicTrack episode

Can a movie studio really be a brand? We were as surprised as you'll be, but it took sinister Hollywood fixers and lions in airplanes to make us get this existential. Join us on an exploration of MGM.For more about our ad agency territorial and how we help brands find their place in the world check out our website weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn.Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions

We're spinning a new format into the Strange Coordinates mix, in which we bring along a guest on our brand excursions. Introducing: Strange(r) Coordinates!The theme for this episode is brand spokespeople inspired by "Shiploads of Fun", our show about Carnival Cruise Line. We're joined by Kirstyn Nimmo who leads inclusion at Code & Theory and is the founder of Good Worx. Connect with Kirstyn Nimmo on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.For more about our ad agency territorial and how we help brands find their place in the world check out our website weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn.Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions

The kettle's whistling, and just in time because Topher is ready to brew up two steaming mugs of tea on Celestial Seasonings. If you're thinking it's all going to be sleepy bears in night caps, you might want to grab another afghan to clutch.For more about our ad agency territorial and how we help brands find their place in the world check out our website weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn.Links from our episode:Cults, Conspiracies, and the Twisted History of Sleepy Time TeaMore on The Urantia BookThe Surprising Reason Why Dr. John Harvey Kellogg Invented Corn FlakesShow art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions

NordicTrack isn't just responsible for a small part of Robert's childhood trauma. It's also a brand that has managed to spend almost 50 years gliding right down the center track of a fascinating cultural conversation. So strap on those indoor skis, fitness fans, you're about to get owned.For more about our ad agency territorial and how we help brands find their place in the world, check out our website weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn.Want to see the full NordicTrack instruction video?Want to read the Wired article Robert mentioned about god mode?Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions: Bitter Roll, Feeling Fine, Longtime Rye, Iowana

We don't love throwing the word "viral" around, but when Topher takes on the Stanley tumbler there's pretty much no other word appropriate for its sudden, wild ubiquity. But did you know the brand is more than a century old? And what can we learn about our world today from its phoenix-like reemergence?For more about territorial check out our website weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn.Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions: Bitter Roll, Iowana, Parade Shoes, Vernouillet

All aboard! We're hitting the high seas with Carnival Cruise Line. Ye landlubbers beware, there be singing and show tunes ahead.For more about territorial check out our website weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn.Show art & design by Chris AllenEditing by Steph GeorgeMarketing by Billy SilvermanEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions: Bitter Roll, Vernouillet, Longtime Rye, Feeling Fine

It's our inaugural episode, and Topher's got a sweet tooth. Obviously that led us straight to the Great Depression and, later, disco murder.For more about territorial check out our website weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn.Show art & design by Chris AllenEpisode music by Blue Dot Sessions: Bitter Roll, Longtime Rye, Parade Shoes, and Lina my Queen