Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

Recently, we recorded a live show at Reid’s Distillery in Toronto. Reid’s is a great gin joint, and the vibe is a cool lounge with vintage tables and seating. There was no stage, so we recorded the podcast on the floor, with the audience seated all around us. In this episode, we talk about ads that are so bad… they become cult classics. Like the commercial where a woman has fallen and can’t get up, the local jeweller who wears tights and a cape in his ads, and that commercial where Patrick gets life insurance. They are so bad, they’re good. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast explores the world of copycat brands, from Walmart's Wumart in China to the success of a copycat cookie overtaking the original. It delves into copyright infringement cases in the music industry and the coffee shop industry, highlighting cases like Dumb Starbucks and the South Butt. The podcast also discusses the legal actions faced by Down-N-Out and the rivalry between Oreo and Hydrox as copycat brands. Overall, it navigates the complexity of parody versus infringement in the world of copycat brands.

Canada experiences the strange phenomenon of well-established brands disappearing, including Kleenex, Skippy Peanut Butter, and KFC's French fries. The podcast delves into the reasons behind these disappearances and explores the emotional connection consumers have with discontinued products. It also discusses the farewell tours of popular bands and the subsequent return to touring.

Happy New Year. We have a fun 2024 season planned for you. Here'a a sneak peek at what's in store... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast explores the history and decline of advertising jingles, the power of pop songs in commercials, and the evolution of jingles and sonic branding. It specifically focuses on the use of jingles in insurance advertising, examining how they help insurance companies stand out and combat negative perceptions. The podcast also discusses alternative strategies and predicts the eventual fading away of jingles in advertising.

Listeners submit intriguing questions about the advertising world, including negative political advertising, bad local commercials, and what background actors really say. Terry answers and surprises with insights into the power of television in Eisenhower's re-election, the decline and potential return of jingles in advertising, the impact of award-winning commercials on sales, and the unconventional Geico Caveman commercials.

This week, we invite you to our Book Club. We'll be telling stories from Terry's favourite advertising books, and will examine the incredible lessons they contain that have served him well for his entire career. By the way, a few of those books aren’t even about advertising. In fact, one is a book about science, and another is about theatre actors.But each one contains incredible wisdom that can be applied directly to the world of advertising and marketing.And everyday life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As you might know by now, the team behind Under The Influence has more podcasts executive produced by Terry. More on the Apostrophe Podcast Network can be found here.One of the podcasts we are very proud of just started its second season with Apostrophe. It's titled Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe. Backstage welcomes listeners into the warm and comforting world of the Vinyl Cafe. Each episode features stories about Canada’s favourite fictional family: Dave, Morley and the kids, narrated by the late, great Stuart McLean and recorded live in concert.But that’s not all.For the first time ever, listen in on hilarious backstories from the popular show. Long-time Vinyl Cafe producer Jess Milton tells all, sharing memories and stories from 15 years touring, travelling, laughing, and recording with her close friend, Stuart.This particular episode is a perfect one to be hosted by Under The Influence, as Dave’s record store suddenly finds itself with competition in town. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the power of the last three feet in marketing, where 75% of shopping decisions are made. Discover how stores use design, technology, and psychology to influence your decisions. Dive into the tug-of-war between stores and brands on the battlegrounds of those three feet.

This week's podcast explores the famous partnerships in advertising, including Nike's Phil Knight and ad agency creative director Dan Wieden, Steve Jobs and Creative Director Lee Clow, and temperamental winery owner Julio Gallo and his tough creative director Hal Riney. They also discuss the successful campaign that centered around a client who looked like a chicken.