In this episode, the duo dives into the ongoing tug-of-war between CMOs and CFOs over what really counts as marketing success, the explosive rise of retail media as an essential - not optional - channel, and why AI isn’t replacing marketing teams, but transforming how they’re built. Plus, they spotlight bold campaigns that break the mold, celebrate Chicago’s marketing resilience, and tackle the wild world of city and state tourism budgets. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro, get ready for sharp commentary, quick-witted banter, and actionable takeaways in just 10 minutes.

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Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

What if the best marketing move you could make is to stop overthinking it?

This week, Matthew and Chris dissect Unilever's baffling decision to hire 300,000 influencers (yes, really), Timothée Chalamet's unhinged genius in film marketing, and why the YMCA's 175th anniversary rebrand didn't need blockchain or a pivot to "Y.io" to absolutely crush it. Plus: why Altoids' ancient tin packaging is a masterclass in forced consumer rituals, and what the hell happened to women's portrayal in advertising this year (spoiler: we went backwards).

Tune in for practical takeaways, a few laughs, and zero fluff. Because great marketing isn't just science - it's knowing which trends to steal and which consultants to ignore.

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Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

What happens when 19% of a tech giant's revenue comes from scam ads running right next to your brand?

Matthew and Chris dive into Meta's $3 billion scandal, WPP's shocking valuation collapse, and why the UK just banned junk food advertising after 9 PM. This week's episode cuts through the noise with the kind of condensed marketing intelligence you won't find anywhere else. From KFC's masterclass in brand collaboration (Hawkins Fried Chicken, anyone?) to a surprisingly convincing argument that the pirate logo might be the most powerful brand symbol on earth, Matthew and Chris deliver their signature blend of authority, wit, and zero corporate BS.

Whether you're running your first campaign or your 500th, these ten minutes will make you sharper, smarter, and possibly hungry for fried chicken. No fluff. No filler. Just marketing intel that actually respects your time.

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Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

If you're tired of marketing podcasts that waste 45 minutes saying what could've been said in 10, this episode cuts straight to what actually matters this week.

Matthew and Chris break down the $1.14 trillion global ad spend surge (spoiler: AI's burning cash faster than a tipsy sailor), Uber's new data platform that's monetizing your midnight shame purchases, and why YouTube's CEO just won Time's top honor for…successfully copying TikTok?

Plus, they spotlight Samsung's rare AI ad that doesn't feel like a dystopian nightmare, and Bigelow Tea's audacious claim that American tea beats the Brits—because sometimes the best marketing is just having the guts to say it.

Real perspective. Zero fluff. Ten minutes that won't insult your intelligence.

Tune in now and get smarter before your next campaign launch.

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✅ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief

Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

If you're tired of marketing podcasts that waste your time with generic advice and hour-long interviews about someone's "journey," this episode cuts straight to what actually matters this week.

Matthew and Chris dissect a cautionary tale from the ad tech world - how a billion-dollar merger between Outbrain and Teeds imploded, losing 90% of its stock value. They reveal why marketers treating AI like a cheat code are getting destroyed by those rebuilding their systems around it (spoiler: doing the work still beats shortcuts). Plus, they explore how AI is turning PR into a multi-headed hydra - from fake Pope collabs to crisis communications chaos.

In Real Recognize Real, we break down why Facebook's Secret Santa ad is the first Meta campaign in years that doesn't make you want to delete the app, and Matthew nerds out over Gartner's Magic Quadrant - proof that even the most boring B2B ideas can become iconic with the right branding.

No fluff. No corporate speak. Just 10 minutes of marketing intelligence from two guys who've survived enough disasters to know what's real - and what's complete nonsense.

Tune in, get smarter, maybe chuckle once or twice, and get back to your day.

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Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

If you're tired of sifting through endless marketing noise to find what actually matters, this episode cuts straight to the good stuff.

Matthew and Chris break down TikTok's explosive $500M Black Friday weekend, Adobe's surprise $2B acquisition of SEMrush, and why 77% of customers are angrier than ever - and what that means for your brand. Plus, they spotlight Apple's accessibility campaign that proves inclusivity doesn't need a lecture, just a sick beat, and Canva's brilliant London takeover that made graphic designers everywhere smile.

🔗 **Join The Marketing, Machines & Mischief Community**

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✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief

✅ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief

Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

If you're tired of marketing podcasts that waste 45 minutes saying nothing, buckle up for 10 minutes of actual intelligence.

This week, Matthew and Chris break down Fox News Media's new AI partnership with Palantir Technologies and what it means for the future of ad targeting and audience modeling. Then they tackle the hard truth: the marketing industry just lost 800 jobs in September—but before you panic, they explain why smart, focused marketers will always find opportunities (and how AI plays into it).

Also covered: UK gambling companies dropped $2.6 billion on ads last year, Dunkin' turned donut holes into an emotional brand hero with their Munchkin campaign, and Intuit just scored naming rights to the stadium hosting the 2028 Olympics.

No fluff. No hour-long "journeys." Just two marketing veterans who've built real campaigns sharing what actually matters—with a few laughs along the way.

🔗 **Join The Marketing, Machines & Mischief Community**

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✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief

✅ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief

Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

If you're tired of scrolling through marketing news that feels like AI-generated slop, this episode cuts through the noise with the stories that actually matter.

Matthew and Chris break down Meta's $16 billion scam ad scandal (yes, beeeellion), the launch of Artists & Robots - a new agency built on AI efficiency and human creativity - and why Steph Curry and Under Armour just called it quits after years of partnership.

Plus: why the UPS Store's latest campaign is a masterclass in emotional storytelling without the cringe, and what Liquid Death's packaging teaches us about brand decisions that go way beyond advertising.

These two have survived enough marketing disasters to know what's worth your time - and what's complete nonsense. No fluff, no hour-long tangents, just sharp perspective and a few laughs along the way.

10 minutes. Real talk. Zero BS.

Because great marketing isn't just science - it's art, it's instinct, and increasingly, it's knowing which robots to trust.

🔗 **Join The Marketing, Machines & Mischief Community**

✅ Official: https://MarketingMachinesMischief.com

✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingMachinesMischief

✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/

✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief

✅ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief

Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net