This Old Marketing - News Podcast Weekly with Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose

AI on the Charts, Coke's Holiday Play, and the Future of Work (505)

11 snips

Nov 7, 2025

This week dives into groundbreaking AI developments in music and marketing. The debut of Zania Monet, the first AI artist on a Billboard chart, sparks a debate on the future of human creativity. Coca-Cola's AI-generated holiday ad raises questions about authenticity and brand connection in an era of AI campaigns. A massive study reveals how 180 million jobs are being reshaped by AI, hinting at who’s safe in the job market. The hosts also discuss the resurgence of print media and the importance of collaboration among independent journalists.

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ANECDOTE

Jury Duty Waiting Blues

Robert Rose describes the frustration and wasted time of jury duty waiting and last-minute cancellations.
He argues the system needs a technology or process fix so citizens can plan their weeks better.

INSIGHT

AI Artists Blur Authorship Lines

Zania Monet, an AI-created singer, debuted on Billboard and highlights how audiences may not care whether creators are human.
Robert Rose stresses journalism should call out when an artist is AI and not anthropomorphize the tool.

ADVICE

Musicians Must Prioritize Live Differentiation

Labels can now produce endless AI-driven songs and rapid releases, so musicians must find unique differentiation.
Joe Pulizzi suggests human musicians should focus on live performance as an irreplaceable value.

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This week, Joe and Robert cover three major AI stories shaping the creative and marketing landscape.

First, the guys break down the debut of Xania Monet, the first AI-powered artist to land on a Billboard chart. Is this the start of a new music era...or the beginning of the end for human creativity?

Next, they unwrap Coca-Cola's second annual holiday AI ad. But this year, it's not just Coke. Expect a wave of AI-generated holiday campaigns across brands. Joe and Robert debate what this means for creative differentiation and audience connection.

Finally, they analyze Bloomberry's massive study of 180 million jobs, revealing how AI is reshaping the global workplace faster than anyone imagined. Who's safe, who's not, and what can marketers learn from the data?

Winners and Losers:

Robert's Winner: Gannett's bold rebrand to USA Today—a move that simplifies identity and aligns with its strongest brand equity.
Joe's Winner: Print media. Joe points out the surprising long-term resilience of print and why physical media might be the next big comeback.

Rants and Raves:

A new journalism collective forms to sell sponsorships - Robert shares his take on why collaboration is an important way forward for small creators.
More college students are choosing double majors - Joe digs into what that says about the next generation of marketers.

Subscribe and Follow: Follow Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose on LinkedIn for insights, hot takes, and weekly updates from the world of content and marketing.

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Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/

Get Joe's new book, Burn the Playbook, at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/.

Get Robert Rose's new book, Valuable Friction, at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/

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