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

They answer listener questions about how backlinks, citations, and original research can work together for search and answer visibility. They debate what content to gate for memberships versus what should stay public. They discuss whether AI will replace human strategists and how consultants can stay relevant. They examine entertainment content boosting sports brands and whether to separate audience-building from sales content.

This week, a powerhouse duo explores the ambitious partnership between Apple and Google in AI, raising eyebrows about privacy and strategy. They discuss OpenAI's controversial plan to introduce ads in ChatGPT, revealing the implications for user trust and brand experiences. A highlight includes Salesforce teaming up with YouTube star MrBeast for a Super Bowl ad, raising expectations to new heights. Plus, they delve into the rise of AI-generated music and its impact on creativity, alongside praises for nostalgic marketing tactics by brands like Dos Equis.

Marketers often declare things dead, but many are thriving quietly. Websites remain crucial for trust and audience ownership, while traditional PR gains value amid a surge of synthetic content. Purpose-driven marketing hasn’t vanished; it's the performative aspect that's fading. In-person events remind us of the power of real connections. However, playing it safe in marketing risks being ignored, and the myth of personalization needs rethinking in favor of familiarity. Authenticity and a strong point of view are vital for truly engaging audiences.

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.

Dive into the tangled world of TikTok's questionable sale and what it means for marketers. Explore the potential of AI in marketing, debating if the bubble will ever burst or simply evolve. Discover how AI might change headcount dynamics and challenge the role of brand websites. Plus, hear rants about the end of Denmark's postal service and the marketing community's tendency to declare established practices obsolete. This conversation sets the stage for the major marketing discussions of 2026!

Joe and Robert dive into their annual predictions, grading last year's forecasts with the help of ChatGPT. They explore the uneven progress of AI, the power shifts among platforms, and trends like nostalgia marketing. Podcast attrition and scrutiny in online sports gambling are hot topics, alongside bold bets on future tech and culture. Insightful predictions focus on the importance of email engagement, the rise of conversations over mass marketing, and potential consolidations like Apple and Disney. Will creators walk away from big audiences in search of authenticity?

Exploring the evolving role of storytellers in marketing, host discussions dive into why companies are rebranding content creators. They emphasize that storytelling isn’t new but a critical element of business. The conversation shifts to the growing anxiety among white-collar workers due to AI and job instability. Joe and Robert advocate for adaptability and curiosity as essential skills in today’s job market. Finally, they discuss a new creator-led initiative from a DraftKings co-founder, urging creators to seize the moment before AI content saturation.

A major deal involving Disney and OpenAI is in the works, allowing creators to use beloved Disney characters in innovative ways. This investment could change how content is made. The intense bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery is heating up, raising questions about who will come out on top and potential antitrust issues. Australia is taking bold steps by banning social media for kids under 16, prompting debates on effectiveness and enforcement. Plus, a dive into Robert's exciting AI music project showcases creativity in a new digital landscape.

Dive into the dynamics of the K-shaped economy as hosts dissect Black Friday spending trends, revealing the stark contrast between thriving and struggling consumers. They unveil how YouTube is capturing TV ad budgets and spotlight the rise of ultra-niche creators, offering unique opportunities for smaller brands. Additionally, a debate ensues over X's new transparency features—are they a genuine improvement or just surface-level changes? Plus, a look at Time's successful media strategies contrasts with a critique of Omnicom's PR struggles.

Google's Gemini 3 marks a pivotal shift in content discovery that could disrupt organic reach for marketers. Hosts delve into the implications for human creators as AI-generated content becomes prevalent. The discussion highlights the balance between Google's need for creator content and the rise of auto-generated pages. Additionally, intriguing insights emerge about branding success, the future of creator economy ad spend, and concerns over AI's impact on social behaviors. Expect a lively debate on authenticity in music creation and the risks of AI in the creative space.