This Old Marketing - Content Marketing News with Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose

The Marketing Profession Is In Danger. Here's One Solution [Special Episode] (489)

Jul 18, 2025

The podcast dives into the precarious state of the marketing profession, warning that traditional job security is fading fast. With AI rapidly replacing entry-level marketers, listeners are urged to embrace their unique career perspectives. The discussion emphasizes building trust through authentic content and cultivating an audience to safeguard against market uncertainties. Practical strategies are shared for leveraging personal curiosity and enhancing audience engagement, making a strong case for taking control of one's marketing journey.

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INSIGHT

Job Security is an Illusion

Working for someone else is the riskiest thing today due to rapid job insecurity, especially in marketing.
The old model of a 'good job' for security is collapsing with AI replacing many entry-level roles.

ANECDOTE

Steely Dan's Unique Music Tilt

Steely Dan defied music industry norms by focusing on perfection and ignoring radio trends.
Their unique tilt made them influential, owning a category others ignored.

ADVICE

Find and Own Your Tilt

To find your tilt, list your curiosities, find uncommon connections, pick an underserved audience, and embrace what makes you different.
Avoid sounding like everyone else to truly own your niche.

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Get ready for this special episode that you needed to hear years ago.

Let me say this plainly: Working for someone else is the riskiest thing you can do right now.

For decades, we believed that a "good job" was the ultimate security. A steady paycheck. Healthcare. Maybe a 401(k) with a match.

But that model is falling apart in real time.

I’ve seen this from the inside. I’ve been the employee. I’ve been the boss. I’ve been the guy who signed the layoff papers. When I was at Penton we went through three rounds of layoffs in 18 months and it was devastating for everyone involved. And this continues today but at breakneck speed. Here’s the truth: no job is safe anymore...especially in marketing.

AI is replacing entry-level marketers faster than we can track. Some agencies I know are in desperation mode. The only advice brand marketing teams get is to lean more into AI. Is that even the right strategy? And executive teams still don’t understand what content actually does...until they decide it’s too expensive (even thought it’s not) and cut it.

Here’s the harsh truth: Most people following the “good job, good life” blueprint are broke, stressed, unfulfilled, and trapped.

The old dream isn’t dead because people stopped working hard. It’s dead because the game changed and nobody updated the playbook.

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This week's links:

Dallas Cowboys NOT America's Team

Joe Pulizzi's New Book "Burn the Playbook" Pre-Order

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This week's sponsor:

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Visit https://www.hubspot.com/ to hear how HubSpot can help you grow better.

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