Prof G on AI eating itself, social media rage & the end of the CMO
Apr 2, 2025
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Scott Galloway, Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern, returns for a lively discussion filled with provocative insights. He boldly claims that the CMO’s days are numbered, arguing that the brand era is over and rage has taken center stage. Galloway tackles the struggles young men face and critiques the social media environment. He also emphasizes the need for marketers to adapt to AI's rise, balancing innovation with strategic accountability. Expect no softballs when Prof G is in the room!
Scott Galloway discusses how social media criticism can significantly impact mental health, urging individuals to filter out non-essential opinions and focus on meaningful relationships.
He critiques the corporate paradox of prioritizing profit over genuine social responsibility, highlighting the disconnect between CEOs' claims and their actions in the marketing landscape.
Galloway emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions for young men facing mental health challenges, advocating for awareness and support amid cultural neglect.
Deep dives
Coping with Online Criticism
The impact of social media criticism is significant, particularly for public figures like Scott Galloway. He discusses how negative opinions and online abuse can affect mental health and self-perception. While he acknowledges the struggle to cope with such criticism, he emphasizes the importance of understanding one's addictions, especially to social validation and money. Galloway also recognizes that it's essential to filter out the opinions that truly matter, focusing instead on the relationships with loved ones.
Addiction and Its Implications
Galloway highlights that addiction is an intrinsic part of human nature, stemmed from evolutionary changes that outpaced societal advancements. He identifies his own addictions—money and the need for external affirmation—and how they influence his life and decisions. By recognizing these patterns, he has learned to manage his impulses better and reflect on their impact on his happiness. Understanding and addressing these addictions is portrayed as vital for personal growth.
The Disconnect of Corporate Morality
Galloway critiques the paradox of corporate leaders who profess social responsibility while pursuing profit. He argues that many CEOs are more focused on shareholder value than genuinely addressing societal issues, creating a disconnect. This is illustrated by the example of Unilever’s significant investment in influencer marketing, despite concerns about social media's impact on youth. The expectation that corporations will act as altruistic entities is seen as naive in the current economic landscape.
Changing Dynamics of Young Men and Boys
There is a growing concern surrounding the declining success of young men in society, with alarming rates of mental health issues and suicide. Galloway emphasizes that while women have made significant progress, many young men are falling behind, a trend that warrants attention and action. He points out that cultural narratives often overlook these issues, mislabeling discussions about men's struggles as misogynistic. The need for targeted interventions to support this demographic is becoming increasingly urgent.
The Imperative Role of AI in Marketing
Galloway expresses a strong belief in the transformative potential of AI in marketing, likening it to historic technological shifts. He discusses the importance for marketers to adapt and leverage AI tools to remain competitive and effective. The narrative shifts from fear of job loss due to AI to recognizing that those who are adept with new technologies will thrive. He advocates for a proactive approach to AI as an invaluable asset, encouraging innovation while addressing the concerns related to the implications of AI on human interactions.
Scott Galloway (Prof G) has returned to the Uncensored CMO podcast for a second time, in a special live episode. Galloway is Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern School of Business and host of the Prof G and Pivot podcasts. He joins Jon in a special live episode in London and lives up to his billing as the most uncensored guest of all time. Scott takes big swings at the advertising industry throughout the episode - despite the audience of CMOs - claiming that the days of the CMO are numbered. He continues with his damning commentary on why the era of brand is dead, why rage is the new sex, why young men are in trouble and what marketers need to do in the age of AI.
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro 02:15 - How does Scott deal with the online negativity? 09:00 - Why the CEO saviours of social media won’t be turning up 16:13 - Scott’s thoughts on the Adolescence Netflix show 23:51 - Why marketers need to do the hard things 27:56 - How does Prof G assess a business opportunity 33:36 - What corporate employees can learn from entrepreneurship 40:22 - Why the CMOs days are numbered 47:33 - How should marketers approach AI 56:06 - What things has Prof G been profoundly wrong about
Thank you to System1 for making the live event possible.
Credits
Host: Jon Evans Executive Producer: James McKinven Director: Kerry Collinge Event management: Lara Zwirn, Gen Norris Social media: Sam Price Event graphics: Colin Jenkinson Production: Kinura
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