Ducks Unplugged

We’re officially one year in, and what better way to celebrate than going back to where it all started?In this special anniversary episode, Ashley and Deanna revisit their very first episode… and let’s just say, we’ve evolved.We’re talking about:- Where we started vs. where we've evolved- What we’ve learned after a year of podcasting- The moments we’re proud of (and the ones we’d definitely redo)- Our top episodes of the year (your must-listens)- What we’re bringing into year twoThis episode is part reflection, part reset, and part reminder of what Ducks Unplugged has always been about: making conversations around life, career, culture, marketing, and more, actually fun.It's edutainment at its finest.🎧 Listen now — and come along with us into year two.Send us your thoughts or questions!

We all had to start somewhere. In this mini episode of Ducks Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna look back at the jobs that shaped them — from early paychecks to the experiences that stuck (for better or worse).Spoiler: their paths were very different. And yes… Ashley claims one of the weirdest jobs. We’ll let you decideWe’re talking about:💼 The first jobs that taught us how to work😅 The roles that tested our patience (and sanity)🧠 The lessons that still show up todayPlus:🎲 A game of Worth It or Not Recommend📝 And a little reflection: what would you tell your “worst job” self?This one is part throwback, part therapy, and a reminder that even the worst jobs usually teach you something.🎧 Listen now — and think back to the jobs that made you.Send us your thoughts or questions!

40 years. Four decades. A lot of questionable trends.In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna take a trip back through time — breaking down the last 40 years in 10-year increments: 1996, 2006, 2016, and 2026.We’re talking about:- What was cool (and what absolutely was not)- The trends that didn’t age well (hello Ed Hardy)- The things we thought were the future… and weren’t (we did not see Blockbuster ever going away!)This episode is a full dose of nostalgia — from glitter everything and Lisa Frank to MySpace, sitcom TV, and Napster.Plus:- A What the Duck where Ashley leans fully into her “old lady hobbies” - A game of Cool, Cringe, or Ahead of Its Time featuring Producer Cindy!If you love a good throwback (and a little perspective on how fast things change), this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now and tell us: which era had your favorite trends?Send us your thoughts or questions!

Why didn’t anyone tell us this?In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna get into all the things we had to learn the hard way — about life, work, growing up, and everything in between.We’re talking about:- The lessons nobody said out loud (but probably should have)- The expectations we had vs. reality- The “permission slips” we didn’t know we needed and are finally giving ourselves- A game of Taboo or Just Uncomfortable (spoiler: there’s a lot to unpack)Plus: A "What the Duck" you won’t forget, featuring fake funerals and airplane malfunctions.This episode is equal parts relatable, reflective, and a reminder that sometimes the most important lessons are the ones no one prepares you for.🎧 Listen now and tell us: what’s something nobody told you?Send us your thoughts or questions!

Welcome to Deanna and Ashley's home offices!In our first virtual episode, we Duck Debate. This one is all about the unpopular opinions and boy, do we have a lot of them.We debate the important topics, like:✈️Does the middle seat get both armrests (the ducks are very divided on this one!)🤖 Is it time to give up on AI?💄 Should you wash your face every night?♨️ What's going on with microwaves?Debate along with us and let us know: do you agree with our unpopular opinions?🎧Listen to Duck Debate, Unpopular Opinions: Mini. Available on all major streaming platforms.Send us your thoughts or questions!

What screen raised you? Because the answer might explain… a lot.In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna discuss the fact that didn’t just grow up in different eras — they grew up on different screens.We’re talking:📺 Appointment TV vs. binge culture🧠 How the screen you grew up on may have shaped your attention span🦙 Crime-fighting llamas (yes, this happened)We also dig into how storytelling — and advertising — have evolved: From slow burns and cliffhangers to instant hooks, “Stay tuned” to “don’t scroll”.Plus, play along with a round of Guess the Theme Song 🎶🎧 Listen now and tell us: what screen raised you?Send us your thoughts or questions!

What would your camera roll say about your life? Would it reveal the messy parts?In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna dig into the things we all experience but rarely admit out loud — the messy moments in work, life, and the in between that don’t quite make it into the highlight reel.We’re talking about:📱 The things we all pretend don’t bother us🧠 The quiet thought: “I thought this would feel different.”🦆 A round of "Content, Group Chat, or Vault?" where we decide what stays private and what makes the internet📸 A game of "Rewrite the Caption" where we expose the real story behind perfectly polished postsAlong the way, we also ask: which generation is best at pretending everything’s fine?This episode is equal parts relatable, reflective, and just messy enough to feel honest.🎧 Listen now and tell us: what’s a “messy part” you wish people talked about more?Send us your thoughts or questions!

February… you had a lot going on. Between the Grammys, the Super Bowl, Punch, a flood of new reality TV shows, and everything else fighting for our attention, it felt like culture was moving at full speed. Naturally, we have thoughts. In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna unpack the moments that defined the month and the conversations that came with them. We’re talking about:🏆 Big pop culture moments from the Grammys and Super Bowl🙉 Punch the Monkey (obvi)📺 The current reality TV takeover🌿 A surprising life hot take… about plants🔍 A new segment called “Currently” where we share what’s capturing our attention right now (play along with us!)This episode is part pop culture recap, part marketing perspective, and part Ducks-style commentary on what’s happening in the world around us.🎧 Listen now and tell us: what are you currently obsessed with?Send us your thoughts or questions!

It’s back — you asked, we answered.Welcome to another round of Ask Us Anything on Ducks Unplugged. The questions? Varied. The answers? Even more so.In this mini episode, we’re covering topics like:🔥 How to stay motivated when momentum dips📺 What reality TV show we’d absolutely be cast on🤖 Insider tips for getting more out of AI (yes, we’re sharing the good stuff)🦆 And a few unexpected turns, because… that's just usThese episodes are powered by you — so thank you to everyone who submitted questions. We love when this podcast turns into a two-way conversation.🎧 Listen now and see if we answered yours.And if not? Start thinking about what you want us to answer next.Send us your thoughts or questions!

Why do animals work so well in marketing? Because emotion sells — and nothing sparks emotion faster than a camel yelling “Hump Day,” or a cute puppy becoming best friends with a Clydesdale.In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we explore why animals are such an effective marketing tactic — and why brands keep going back to them.We’re talking:🐫 The psychology behind animals in advertising🐰 Our favorite animal marketing moments🦁 A brand-to-animal pairing game🦆 We answer: What animal are we, exactly?🚗 And in our What the Duck we discuss why Waymo might need a timeout🎧 Listen now and then tell us: what's your favorite animal-in-marketing moment?Send us your thoughts or questions!

Welcome back to our monthly Duck Debate — where opinions fly and feathers get ruffled. 🦆This episode ranges from mildly controversial to aggressively polarizing:🧸 Are giant teddy bears a sweet gesture… or oversized clutter?🍟 Is it completely acceptable to dip a fry in a milkshake… or should that be illegal?🍔 Would you rather your burger be taller or wider? (Ashley briefly forgot the entire point of the game and asked why she had to choose. Because… it’s the game.)🏠 Live in a shoe house or duck house — choose wisely.📺 Is it socially unacceptable to sit next to someone on the couch and talk during TV time? (Ashley has very clear rules. Very clear.)Plus, Deanna spills a little behind-the-scenes tea on how we prep Duck Debate — including what happens when we plan a disagreement… and someone changes her answer at the last minute. (Again.)🎧 Stream Duck Debate: Mini wherever you get your podcasts — and tell us: are you Team Fry Dip or absolutely not?Send us your thoughts or questions!

Leadership gets talked about a lot. This episode talks about it honestly.In Leadership Unfiltered: Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna strip away the buzzwords and dig into how leadership actually shows up — especially as it continues to evolve in a virtual, fast-moving, high-expectation world. We talk about how leadership has changed… and why it had to.We unpack what really makes a great leader — empathy, transparency, and trust — and challenge some commonly held beliefs along the way:🤔 Can you be a strong leader in a fully virtual environment?🔄 Is changing your mind a weakness… or a strength?🧠 Do leaders really need to have all the answers?Then we pressure-test real workplace situations — from high performers who can’t hit deadlines, to being called out in large meetings, to teams that just can’t seem to work together.🎧 Listen to Leadership Unfiltered: UnpluggedSend us your thoughts or questions!

Short episode. Strong opinions. Questionable takes. 🦆🏈In this Super Bowl–inspired mini episode, Ashley and Deanna debate everything football-adjacent as we start thinking about game-day plans — and somehow end up arguing about fingers, toes, and other things no one asked for.🗣️ Is it okay to talk during the game?📺 Are the commercials sacred?🍽️ Can you trust homemade food from people whose kitchens you’ve never seen?🏈 Quarterback or coach — where do you want to be?🎤 And what really makes a Super Bowl halftime show great?We cover celebrity-packed halftime shows, the art of the show versus just singing well, and yes — we unanimously agree: Tom Brady is the GOAT.Short, opinionated, and completely unserious — just the way a Duck Debate should be.🎧 Listen to Duck Debate: Super Bowl EditionP.S. - GO PATS!!Send us your thoughts or questions!

This one started with video… and spiraled into chaos (the good kind).In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna break down why video works, why it so often doesn’t, and what brands should actually be doing in 2026 to stop wasting time, money, and attention.🎥 The video moments that changed us🍼 A “What the Duck?” involving NYE diapers in NYC❤️ Why one classic commercial (hi, Folgers) still proves the power of doing it right🧠 Real talk on why most brand videos miss the mark🔥 Rapid-fire hot takes (most videos are too long… fight us)Along the way, we pitch how Pampers should open a commercial, how Amazon could use video way better, and why boutique agencies are uniquely built to fix the chaos.This episode is equal parts strategy, nostalgia, and unfiltered opinions — with a side of creative pressure testing.🎧 Listen now and decide: are you shooting this… or that?Send us your thoughts or questions!

Memberships are everywhere. That doesn’t mean they’re working.In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we go deep on memberships — the good, the bad, and the ones that probably shouldn’t exist at all. We talk through why so many brands rush to launch a membership, what actually makes one valuable, and where things tend to fall apart.We break down:- The real difference between memberships, subscriptions, and loyalty programs- What separates a compelling membership from a forgettable one- Common mistakes brands keep making (yes, we’re looking at you)And our favorite part: The Membership Draft — where we pair real brands with the membership ideas they should be launching.Plus, Deanna learns what a Kölsch is. That alone might be worth the listen. 🍺🎧 Membership Madness: Unplugged — streaming now wherever you get your podcasts.Send us your thoughts or questions!

Everyone loves a comeback. From nostalgic brands and ‘90s icons to athletes, marketers, and real-life underdogs—there’s something about the rebound arc that hits every time.In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we dive into the power of the comeback:🎯 Why redemption arcs resonate in marketing and life🧃 Can nostalgic brands get a modern-day glow up? (BlackBerry, Rainforest Café...we’re looking at you)🔥 Our Hot Take: Why isn’t there more guerrilla marketing?Plus, Ashley and Deanna reveal which comebacks they’d love to see most.🎧 Stream Comeback Stories: Unplugged wherever you get your podcasts—and tell us: what brand, celeb, or trend deserves a comeback?Send us your thoughts or questions!

We're kicking off 2026 with big energy and a fresh mindset. In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to reset, recharge, and refocus—for your life and for business. This one’s full of insight and energy:🧘‍♀️ What we’re leaving behind in 2025📈 What we’re bringing into 2026🎯 Predictions for the year in marketing🎲 A 2026-themed Would You Rather game😳 Brand-new What the Duck moments🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts and start your year unplugged.Send us your thoughts or questions!

This was supposed to be a mini… but the Ducks got carried away.In this full-on forecast episode, Ashley and Deanna look into their crystal ball and share their boldest predictions for 2026 — from marketing trends to business shifts to totally unhinged cultural guesses (aliens, anyone?)✨ Will AI keep dominating?📈 Is it the year of the boutique agency?🧠 And what exactly does it mean to “start the year strong”?You’ll laugh, you’ll think, and you might just spot a trend before it hits the mainstream.🎧 Listen to Predictions: UnpluggedSend us your thoughts or questions!

Happy Holidays from Ducks Unplugged! 🎄This episode is wrapped in festive chaos and sprinkled with all the marketing magic (and meltdowns) December has to offer. From wild Christmas sweaters to the most mind-blowing way to tie your shoes (seriously 🤯), we’re here to spread cheer — and maybe a little unfiltered advice.✨ Highlights include:📞 The Holiday Crisis Hotline — listeners called in, we gave real(ish) solutions🎯 Naughty or Nice: Marketing Edition🥂 A heartfelt toast to 2025🎁 And of course, our weekly What the Duck?!Tune in for holiday laughs, last-minute insights, and a reminder that you’re not alone in the December madness.Send us your thoughts or questions!

You don’t always know it’s an ick… until it icks. 😬In this episode, we unpack the rise of “the ick” — where it comes from, how personal icks can be, and how brands (for better or worse) try to use icks in marketing. Can marketers successfully lean into consumer turn-offs? Or does it backfire?Plus:🔥 This week’s Marketing Hot Take⚡ A rapid-fire round of Ick or Not That Deep? Play along!🎧 Tune in now to The Icks: Unplugged!Send us your thoughts or questions!

2-4-6-8 — who do we appreciate? Mascots!In this episode, we're diving headfirst into the world of brand mascots. From the psychology behind why they work, to which ones are boosting brands… and which ones might actually be holding them back (hot take: is Flo from Progressive past her prime?).Who’s your favorite mascot of all time? Did they make our list?We’re also playing a game called Mascot Confessionals, where we imagine what mascots would say if they could finally speak their truth. And for the first time ever… Deanna didn’t do her homework (but don’t worry — Ashley's got it covered).🎧 Listen to The Mascot Effect: Unplugged wherever you get your podcasts.Send us your thoughts or questions!

What do Victoria’s Secret, Peloton, and Toys R Us all have in common? They’ve made it to the hot seat on this week’s Fix That Brand episode!Join Ashley and Deanna as they go full strategy mode—rewriting taglines, reimagining brand positioning, and dishing out fresh marketing ideas to bring these iconic brands into their next era. Spoiler: we’re not afraid to say what needs to be said.Plus, in this week’s Marketing Hot Take, we’re shouting out Bark for their email game (yes, we open every single one).🎧 Tune in to Fix That Brand: Unplugged, available wherever you listen to podcasts.🔁 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and send us the brands you think need a glow-up!Send us your thoughts or questions!

Pour the gravy and grab a seat — it’s a Ducksgiving special!In this episode of Ducksgiving: Unplugged, Deanna and Ashley carve into the Thanksgiving marketing landscape and uncover the truth behind marketing at this time of year. From tear-jerker ads to retail hysteria, we explore why brands go one of two ways — heartfelt or frenzied — and which actually works. We share the campaigns that hit us in the feels… and the ones that missed the mashed potatoes entirely.🦃 Each Duck also shares two things they’re truly grateful for this year — and two things they’ve officially had ENOUGH of. (Yes, we went there.)🦃 And who doesn't love some brand superlatives? The Golden Turkey Award? The Crazy Uncle Award? And whose not invited back next year?  We give our honest (and unfiltered) takes on which brands earned a seat at the Thanksgiving table.It’s fun. It’s real. It’s a little roasted.😉 Pull up your stretchy pants and give us a listen — it’s Ducksgiving!Send us your thoughts or questions!

It’s our monthly Duck Debate… Thanksgiving style! 🍗🍂This one is stuffed with opinions, laughter, and a few debates that may ruin family dinners forever. We're diving headfirst into holiday hot topics like:🥧 Is pie really a Thanksgiving-worthy dessert?🍎 Is apple picking totally overrated?🍺 Should kids be allowed in breweries?🦃 And which of these horrifying fake side dishes would YOU rather eat?🎧 Listen to Duck Debate (Turkey Day Edition): Mini. Send us your thoughts or questions!

This week, we’re tapping into every sense—because great marketing isn’t just seen… it’s smelled, heard, tasted, and felt. Marketing is a full‑body experience, and today we prove it. Erin Campbell joins us for a wild episode where we talk:🧠 How senses shape what consumers buy (and what brands are doing it well)🦆 What the Duck: Are you ready for… ads on your fridge?!🤫 The 5 Senses Blind Marketing Test: We’re blindfolded, trying to guess the brand using only our senses.This one is meant to be watched—so grab the YouTube version (@DucksUnplugged) if you want to see the mayhem unfold.🎧 Listen now and test your sensory marketing skills along with us!Send us your thoughts or questions!

It’s officially official — Duck Debate is now a monthly fixture, and this one might ruffle a few feathers. 🦆In this episode, Ashley and Deanna dive beak-first into the hot takes and heated debates—from pumpkin spice overload and dogs in the bed to whether Taylor Swift is (gasp) overhyped. Oh, and did someone say ketchup smoothie?💬 Agree with us? Think we’re completely unhinged? Either way, we want to know. Join the debate and drop your thoughts on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook @DucksUnplugged.🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!Send us your thoughts or questions!

In this spooktacular Halloween edition of Ducks Unplugged, we’re serving up creative costumes (with an outfit change!) and clever marketing insights. 👻💀 We’re talking FEAR in marketing — how it motivates consumers and when it actually works (looking at you, Mayhem from Allstate).🎵 In What the Duck, we ask: where have all the theme songs gone?!🎃 Plus, we reveal our Halloween costumes inspired by one of our favorite podcasts and some iconic brands, talk about the companies that own Halloween, and play a little game of Monster + Brand Mash-Up.If you love pop culture, seasonal marketing, and a little chaos with your strategy, this one's for you.➡️ Hit follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Ducks Unplugged.Send us your thoughts or questions!

Owning your like factor — it’s not a weakness, it’s your superpower. 💪This week, we’re getting real about why being likeable gets such a bad rap — and how it’s actually key to building authentic connections, winning over clients, and creating a culture people want to be part of long-term.  We also break down the “like factor” of a few familiar faces and brands (some surprising takes ahead 👀), then wrap with our fast round of *Swipe Right or Swipe Left: Likeability Edition*.  🎧 Hit play and join the fun! Send us your thoughts or questions!

It’s official — by popular demand, Duck Debate is now a monthly thing! Plus, we’re spicing our Mini episodes up with a brand‑new segment: Marketing Hot Takes.This week, we’re diving into:🍳 Cracker Barrel's flash-in-the-pan rebrand (pun...see what we did there?)🍪 Are Crumbl Cookies overrated?📚 Does listening to an audiobook count as reading?👍 And the age‑old debate — is a thumb actually a finger?Spoiler alert: Deanna and Ashley surprisingly agree on most of this one (for once). But what do you think? Join the debate and tell us your takes!🎧 Listen to Duck Debate (Sort of!): Mini wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t forget to follow for more unfiltered marketing, life, and laughter.Send us your thoughts or questions!

Can we really have it all? Is work-life balance a real thing—or just a clever marketing ploy?In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna dig into the messy truth about "balance." From chaotic workdays to scroll-heavy evenings, we’re unpacking why so many of us feel like we’re teetering on the edge... and who’s profiting from that feeling.💥 We discuss the balance myths we pretend to believe (does "work smarter, not harder" ring a bell?)📱 We debate the impact of tech, time, and to-do lists🧘‍♀️ We share what helps us reset—and why it's important to acknowledge that we're all just doing the best we can!👉 Got your own tips for finding balance? We’d love to hear them. Your strategy might just get a shoutout on an upcoming episode!🎧 Hit play for some (un)balanced honesty, and a reminder that you’re not alone in the chaos.Send us your thoughts or questions!

You asked. We answered. 💬This Ask Us Anything: Mini episode is powered by YOU—our amazing listeners! We opened up the mic to your best questions and topics, and you delivered everything from marketing curveballs to behind‑the‑scenes curiosities about Ducks Unplugged.💛 Thank you to everyone who submitted questions—we loved diving in. Want to be part of future episodes? Make sure you’re following and subscribed so you never miss your chance to weigh in.🎧 Hit play now!Send us your thoughts or questions!

If leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all…how do you know when it fits? In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Deanna and Ashley ask a big question: What would Ted Lasso do? And unpack what goldfish, mustaches, and great leadership have in common.💼 From loud visionaries to quiet operators, leadership comes in all shapes. We take a look at the traits that truly matter (integrity, empathy, clarity, resilience) and ask whether great leaders are born or can they be made?Also featured in this episode:- Debating the age-old question: Leadership vs. Management—are they really the same?- Some of our favorite Ted-isms and what they reveal about modern leadership- And a quick round of Boss or Bust? (you don’t want to miss this game...)🎧 Whether you’re leading a team, managing a project, or just trying to be a goldfish 🐠—this episode is for you. Listen now!Send us your thoughts or questions!

Welcome to My, How Things Have Changed: Unplugged! In this episode, Ashley and Deanna take a trip back in time to revisit what marketing was like in a different time — warning, it was a shocking reminder.We dig into vintage ads that would never fly today, from misogynistic taglines to babies drinking soda and shaving (yes, really), to airlines bragging about rejecting female stewardesses who don't fit their "standards”Some of it is shocking, some hilarious in hindsight (we laugh so we don't cry), and all of it shows just how far marketing—and society—has come. With the caveat, we still have a long way to go. 🎧 Tune in for a mix of cringe, commentary, and perspective as we unpack the ads of yesterday through today’s lens.Send us your thoughts or questions!

Welcome to Main Character Energy: Mini! Ashley and Deanna are joined by our favorite recurring guest, Erin Campbell, to unpack what’s giving off major main character energy right now.Each of us brought a few picks (okay, Deanna brought several 🙃), and we put them to the test. From pickleball to WNBA mascots to TikTok creators to… polka dots, we cover it all. Some examples hit, some miss—and plenty spark discussion. You may even learn something—is it DUPA or DUPR score? 🎧 Tune in for a mini episode full of laughs, random hot takes, and a little pop culture therapy. Do you agree with our picks, or are we totally out of touch?Send us your thoughts or questions!

Welcome to Marketing Confessions: Unplugged! Mistakes happen in marketing—it’s inevitable. The key is catching them before they spiral… but let’s be honest, sometimes they make it all the way out into the world.In this episode, we dig into the fine line between empowering your team to act independently and accepting that sometimes, mistakes slip through. We share some wild marketing fails we found online—and then we turn the spotlight on ourselves. From typos that went to print, to public meeting mishaps, to cringe-worthy moments we still can’t believe happened, we spill our own confessions.🎧 Tune in for a mix of laughs, lessons, and a reminder that every mistake is a step toward becoming better at what we do.Send us your thoughts or questions!

Welcome to Duck Debate: Part 2! Ashley and Deanna are back at it—taking on the questions no one asked us to answer but everyone has an opinion about.From whether parallel parking is a critical life skill, to if cruises count as real vacations, to the very divisive Taylor Swift debate, and even whether sharing a toothbrush is okay (spoiler: a gross story is shared), we battle it out.🎧 Take a listen, pick a side, and let us know—where do you land in the great duck debate?Send us your thoughts or questions!

Welcome to Mythbusters: Unplugged! We’ve all heard the agency rumors: bigger agencies mean bigger results, agencies only care about creative, and in-house teams can do it all. But are those really true—or just myths that need busting?In this episode, we’re pulling no punches and tackling the misconceptions we hear all the time. Then, we turn the tables and debate some of life’s juiciest non-agency myths—from aliens building the pyramids to whether sharks get cancer (spoiler: you’ll want to hear this one).🎧 Tune in for a mix of marketing truths, mystery debates, and a surprise twist where we even turn Bigfoot into a campaign idea. Because only at Ducks Unplugged could myth busting turn into marketing magic.Send us your thoughts or questions!

How do you sell the same product to totally different generations?We’re putting our sales caps on and turning this episode into a real-life round of Shark Tank, as Deanna and Ashley go head-to-head with audience-tailored pitches. Five product categories. Four different generations. One wild ride.⚡ Electric toothbrushes for Gen Z?🛌 Why Gen X shouldn’t “sleep” on the luxury mattress industry (see what we did there?)🎧 Hit play and decide—who pitched it best?Send us your thoughts or questions!

Is it buzz-worthy or just…busted? In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we’re talking about the brands that know how to build hype—and the ones that crash and burn trying.From Liquid Death’s cult following 💀 to product launches that should’ve stayed in the drafts, we’re breaking down how hype can create real magic… or total mayhem.What’s inside:• A “What the Duck” rant aimed squarely at Meta• Why smart hype = sticky marketing• A round of “How Would We Launch…” featuring dramatic blurbs and product tests (things get weird)Spoiler: not everything lived up to the hype!🎧 Listen now and decide for yourself—should you believe the hype?Send us your thoughts or questions!

We went deep into the weird corners of the internet… and found some absolutely insane products.In this mini episode of Ducks Unplugged, we’re playing Buy It, Gift It, Shelve It — your new favorite unhinged product game. From glow-in-the-dark toilet paper to a hot dog toaster (yes, really), we’re asking the big questions:➡️ Would you actually buy this?🎁 Would you gift it (even as a white elephant)?🗑️ Or would you immediately hit "nope" and shelve it forever?And because we love you, we made a real product guide with links to every bizarre thing we found. You're welcome (and also sorry about your next impulse-buy).🎧 Listen to Buy It, Gift It, Shelve It: Mini📺 Watch the full episode on our YouTube @DucksUnplugged🛍️ Shop the guide via link in bio on our Instagram @DucksUnpluggedSend us your thoughts or questions!

🎉 Game on, marketers! In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we're bringing the fun—and the pickles. Yep, pickles are having a moment, and we’re here for it. 🥒We kick things off with a little “What the Duck?” and a couple of solid dad jokes before diving into why levity belongs in every marketing campaign. Because let’s face it—marketing should be fun. And fun? That’s where the magic happens. ✨Then it’s time to turn up the heat with The Speed Round, inspired by Burning Questions from The Ellen Show. Deanna throws surprise questions at Ashley in a lightning-fast showdown. Spoiler: we’re totally not competitive (read: we absolutely are).Play along, laugh with us, and maybe even steal a few ideas for your next campaign.🎧 Listen now to The Marketing Game Show: Unplugged!Send us your thoughts or questions!

Class is in session! Put down your pencil and pay attention as we flip through the brand yearbook in this episode of Ducks Unplugged. 👩‍🎓📓Remember high school superlatives? Well, we’re giving them a marketing makeover. From Most Athletic to Best Couple to Class Clown and more, we’re handing out the titles and deciding which brands deserve the crown.🎧 Listen to Marketing Superlatives: Mini—where marketing meets the lunch table drama.Send us your thoughts or questions!

Welcome to the debut of our Backstory series! Asking the right questions? It’s not just for first dates and reality TV confessionals. It's the foundation of killer client relationships, brand building, and campaigns that actually convert.In this episode, we’re flipping the mics on ourselves and asking the hard hitting questions! Deanna and Ashley interview each other to uncover what really makes us tick. From Deanna’s journey as a powerhouse marketing leader to Ashley’s (very millennial) obsession with competing with herself, we’re digging deep—while keeping it real.🎧 Tune in for laughs, insight, and maybe a few surprise answers we didn’t see coming. Plus, let us know how we did as interviewers!Send us your thoughts or questions!

🚩 Red flag or ✅ green flag? We're throwing down some serious opinions in this sassy hot-take episode of Ducks Unplugged. Erin's back in the studio, and we're tackling everything from relentless positivity (is this actually a red flag?) to wearing socks to bed. Oh—and if you're out here talking on speakerphone in public... we have thoughts.Play along and wave your own flags—what's a dealbreaker and what's just misunderstood?🎧 Listen to Red Flag or Green Flag: Mini now!Send us your thoughts or questions!

🚨 This one’s a bit different—made special for our REALITY TV FANS.We’re sipping Loverboy and spilling the tea on how reality TV became a business powerhouse. From iconic franchises to influencer-led empires, reality stars are out here building brand deals, e-commerce empires, and cult followings like it’s their job (because it is).Not everyone gets it right—but those who do? Chef’s kiss. We also put our Producer hats on and share how we would revamp The Bachelor franchise (no offense ABC, it needs some love).🎧 If you’re a reality TV junkie with a marketing brain, this one's your dream episode. Tune in for business lessons from the most chaotic corner of TV. Listen to Reality TV & Business: UnpluggedSend us your thoughts or questions!

That’s it—we’re starting the timer on these hot takes!In this Rapid Fire Reactions: Mini episode of Ducks Unplugged, we’re joined once again by Erin Campbell for a high-stakes (and highly entertaining) timed round of hot takes on trending topics in marketing, pop culture, and work-life. Each of us only gets ONE PASS... so use it wisely.We’re dishing on:– The “goodnight” trend (we ship it)– Whether anyone is using Threads– TikTok fashion aesthetics (Coastal Grandma, obviously)– If Disney trips are actually… stressful??– And so much moreCan we defend our takes in under 60 seconds? Or will this spiral into a full-blown Duck Debate?🎧 Hit play and test your takes with us!Send us your thoughts or questions!

Alright brands, it’s 2025—let’s talk micro-moments as a way of connecting with your customer. Conference swag bags? Ashley’s ride-or-die for these babies, but some of those other branded micro-moments? They need a vibe check. We’re picking them at random from a bowl and deciding if they get to stay, need a major makeover, or if it’s just time for the trash.And since we’re feeling festive, we’re inventing our own micro-holidays too. Because let’s be real, we ALL need more reasons to celebrate—or reasons to say “nope, not today.” Find out which quirky holidays we’d proudly mark on our calendars and which we’d ignore faster than an email marked "urgent."🎧 Tune in now to Micro-Moments & Micro-Holidays: UnpluggedSend us your thoughts or questions!

Buckle up, we’re officially entering our collab era! From epic brand match-ups to reality-TV royalty (Bravo collabs, anyone?), we’re breaking down what makes collaborations legendary. Are collabs strictly Gen Z territory, or can everyone get in on the fun?Crocs—we see you crushing it every time, and Bravo’s Kyle Cooke, we've got some spicy collab ideas you'll love! Plus, don’t miss our wild-card collab generator and a live brainstorm where we dream up unexpected pairings—White Claw x Fenty Beauty? Yeah, we went there. 😎✨🎧 Tune in now and tell us your ultimate dream collab!Send us your thoughts or questions!

Get ready—we’re diving deep into the world of wild, weird, and wonderful jobs you never knew existed! 🤯 Could you handle being a professional cuddler? What about testing brand-new amusement park rides—brave enough to be first in line?In this Ducks Unplugged mini-episode, we’re asking: Wait, that's a real job? Would we do it? Could we actually pull it off? (Spoiler: some of these are WAY harder than they sound.) By the end, we’ve got a whole new appreciation for the brave souls who rock these unconventional careers.🎧Tune in to hear which odd job we’d actually try—and which one made us want to run for the hills. You’ll never look at career day the same way again. Listen now and let us know which odd job YOU’D take on!Send us your thoughts or questions!

In this Ducks Unplugged mini-episode, Deanna’s giving the big 5-0 a glow-up! ✨ It’s not about slowing down—it’s about rethinking milestones and making them mean something fresh.Ever thought about how YOU would rebrand a major life milestone? What’s on your bucket list? Something wild, something exciting? We’re diving into some life edition “What If” questions, too—because why not?🎧 Listen now and let us know what else Deanna should add to her bucket list!Send us your thoughts or questions!