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

Instagram Puts Burden of AI Slop on Creators (514)

Jan 9, 2026

Joe and Robert explore the fluctuating job market and its signs of stabilization. They dive into the implications of reduced corporate tax rates for future profits. A key focus is Instagram’s stance on AI-generated content, highlighting the platform's reluctance to police itself and the challenges for creators. The duo debates the value of authenticity in a world saturated with AI. They also discuss Uber's evolving ad strategy and the humor in Equinox's AI-themed marketing, while criticizing the Nebula Awards' ban on generative AI.

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INSIGHT

Tax Changes Could Fuel 2026 Growth

Corporate tax changes and cash reserves may make 2026 a profitable, expansive year for enterprises.
Joe suggests firms may avoid layoffs due to tax-driven financial cushions.

ADVICE

Signal Authenticity Through Human Work

Focus on being real, transparent, and consistent to signal authenticity in an AI-saturated feed.
Create unique human relationships that AI can't replicate to stand out on platforms like Instagram.

INSIGHT

Platforms Won't Police AI Slop

Adam Mosseri signals platforms won't fully police AI-generated content and tells creators to compete on authenticity.
Robert Rose and Joe Pulizzi argue audience recognition of value will matter more than origin of content.

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This week, Joe and Robert break down the latest signals in the economy, media, and marketing, from stabilizing job data and corporate tax incentives to AI's growing influence on content, platforms, and creative work. They also dig into where responsibility lies in an AI-saturated world and which organizations are adapting well…or getting it wrong.

Key Topics Discussed Economic Update: Jobs and Stability

Joe and Robert open the show with a look at recent U.S. economic data. After months of uncertainty, layoffs appear to have slowed, and job numbers are showing signs of stabilization. While not a return to boom times, the data suggests the labor market may be finding its footing heading into 2026.

Corporate Tax Incentives and 2026 Profits

The conversation turns to tax policy and its impact on business. Joe and Robert discuss how the permanent reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, along with other incentives, is setting mid-sized and enterprise companies up for significantly higher profits in 2026. They explore what this means for cash flow, reinvestment, and corporate behavior moving forward.

Instagram, AI, and the Burden on Creators

Next up, Joe and Robert analyze comments from Adam Mosseri and Instagram around AI-generated content. Mosseri makes it clear that Instagram does not intend to fully police AI content, instead emphasizing the importance of human creativity and authenticity. Joe and Robert question whether platforms are abdicating responsibility and placing the full burden on brands and creators to stand out in an increasingly cluttered, AI-driven feed.

Final News: Uber's Co-Creation Ad Strategy

In final news, the guys highlight Uber and its growing advertising business. Uber's co-creation media tactics are viewed as a smart, forward-thinking approach to revenue generation. Joe and Robert agree that too many enterprises still underestimate marketing's role as a direct revenue driver, not just a cost center.

Marketing Winners and Losers Marketing Winner (Robert)

Equinox Robert praises Equinox for its ad campaign that pokes fun at AI-generated content, using humor and human insight to cut through the noise and reinforce brand identity.

Marketing Loser (Joe)

Nebula Awards Joe calls out the Nebula Awards for their new rules banning any use of generative AI in the creative process. While intended to protect writers, Joe argues the decision is short-sighted, unenforceable, and misunderstands how creative tools evolve.

Rants and Raves

Robert's Rant: Robert takes aim at Digiday and what he sees as an overly cozy fascination with Accenture, questioning the value and objectivity of that coverage.
Joe's Commentary: Joe closes with thoughts on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting winding down operations. He clarifies that PBS itself is not shutting down, but explains how the loss of federal funding disproportionately impacts rural and small-market stations, potentially reshaping public media into a more urban-centric system.

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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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