Ad Nerds Ad Nerds

Welcome to the Ad Nerds Podcast, the only show in the world where you can ask your branding, advertising, and marketing questions and get real-time answers. Hosted by Spanky Moskowitz, a nearly 40-year veteran of the ad industry, this podcast is your go-to source for advertising insights and strategies. From working with giants like Chevrolet, Tiffany & Co., Budweiser, and the NFL, to generating billions in client revenue for countless small businesses, Spanky brings unparalleled expertise to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of marketing. Tune in to learn how to find your right audience, distinguish between branding and marketing, and convert a massive following into paying customers.



Show Notes:

0:04 - Introduction to the Ad Nerds Podcast


Spanky Moskowitz welcomes listeners to the podcast.
Overview of Spanky's extensive experience in the ad industry.

1:06 - Listener Question: Marketing Strategy for a Food Truck


Charlene from Upstate New York seeks advice on marketing a new catering service for college students.
Spanky's recommendations: Use Instagram and TikTok to create enticing food videos, build interest with testimonials, and execute a targeted 48-hour paid media push.

5:22 - Listener Question: Attracting the Right Customers for Outdoor Structures Business


Jim from Pennsylvania wants to attract high-value customers for his pergolas and gazebos.
Spanky's advice: Retarget Google Ads data on visual platforms, use old-school tactics like lawn signs and postcards, and combine digital and traditional marketing strategies.

17:20 - Differences Between Branding and Marketing


Spanky explains the key differences: Branding is long-term, builds loyalty, and creates value and feelings, while marketing is short-term, builds responses, and is transactional.

20:38 - Listener Question: Converting TikTok Followers to Paying Customers


Anita from California asks how to monetize a large TikTok following for a couple’s therapy business.
Spanky's suggestions: Charge a nominal fee for valuable video content to increase perceived value, and follow up with a sales sequence via email.

24:25 - Listener Question: Branding Strategies for a Wealth Coach


Neal, a wealth coach, seeks advice on branding in the coaching industry.
Spanky's guidance: Offer valuable, microscopic content without an immediate ask to build trust and loyalty, then retarget with offers.

27:47 - Listener Question: Moving Excess Inventory for a Supplement Business


Taz from Orlando needs to clear out old stock of amino acid supplements.
Spanky's strategy: Conduct a blowout sale for old flavors, use targeted ads to drive traffic, and retarget with new products for upsells.

34:37 - Closing Remarks


Spanky shares additional insights and wraps up the episode.
Encouragement to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

35:53 - Outro


Spanky signs off and thanks listeners.


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On today's episode Spanky dives into breaking news, major ad blunders, and insightful marketing tips. Netflix shocks the TV world by landing a deal to broadcast live NFL games on Christmas, marking a significant move into live sports. Meanwhile, Apple faces backlash for a controversial ad, leading to an apology from their VP of Marketing. Spanky also explores the importance of sensory advertising, the rising customer acquisition costs for DTC brands, and how Amazon could be their savior. Plus, he offers five essentials for crafting the perfect welcome email for new subscribers. Tune in for a blend of breaking news, expert insights, and actionable advice to elevate your advertising game.

00:00 - Intro and Overview


Introduction to today's topics: Netflix's NFL deal, Apple's ad flop, sensory advertising, DTC brands' customer acquisition costs, and email marketing tips.

01:20 - Breaking News: Netflix Lands Live NFL Games


Netflix secures a three-year deal to broadcast live NFL games on Christmas, positioning itself as a major player in live sports.

03:30 - Apple's Ad Flop and Apology


Discussion on Apple's controversial ad titled "Crush," which received backlash for its destructive theme, leading to an apology from Apple's VP of Marketing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntjkwIXWtrc

07:15 - The Importance of Sensory Advertising


Spanky emphasizes the power of sensory advertising and how modern ads often fail to engage all senses effectively.

10:45 - DTC Brands and Amazon: A New Hope?


Analysis of how DTC brands are turning to Amazon to solve rising customer acquisition costs and the pros and cons of this strategy.

15:30 - The Downside of Technological Advancements


Reflection on how technology, despite its promises, can diminish critical thinking and lead to burnout.

20:20 - Five Essentials for Crafting the Perfect Welcome Email


Spanky outlines the five key elements of an effective welcome email to engage new subscribers and set the tone for a strong relationship.


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In the June 28, 2023 episode of the Ad Nerds Podcast, Spanky Moskowitz, a veteran of the advertising industry, took a different route from the usual ad industry news. Instead, he chose to use the platform for a personal public service announcement. Recently diagnosed with lower colorectal cancer, he discusses his experiences with the medical world, his impending treatment journey, and how he expects to be stepping away from the podcast for a few months. He emphasized the importance of routine colorectal screenings, expressing gratitude for his own proactive approach, which allowed for an early diagnosis. As an asymptomatic patient, Spanky underscores the crucial role these screenings play in the detection of such health issues. With a palpable air of optimism, Spanky encourages listeners to prioritize health check-ups and not fear these procedures.



Key Moments:


Spanky reveals his recent diagnosis with lower colorectal cancer (00:07:00)
He highlights the importance of routine colorectal screenings (00:11:45)
Expresses his gratitude towards his medical team at MD Anderson Cancer Center (00:16:30)
Shares the treatment plan and potential outcomes (00:22:45)
Talks about the surgeries he will be undergoing (00:28:45)
Emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment (00:34:00)
He ends the episode with a call to listeners to schedule their colonoscopy appointments (00:39:00)


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In today's episode of the Ad Nerds Podcast, host Spanky Moskowitz takes listeners on a whirlwind tour of the advertising industry, touching on everything from how Apple is leveraging outsider perspectives in its marketing strategy to the creative journey sparked by Amtrak's collaboration with the X Games. Spanky shares his take on the fascinating integration of AI in Away's marketing campaigns and contemplates the potential minefield that Pride month represents for brands attempting to strike a balance in today's divided societal landscape. The icing on the cake? We get an insider's peek into Apple's advertising and marketing strategies through the lens of their Big Gun, Toran. Finally, we are treated to a trip down memory lane with a nod to the iconic Spike Lee, known for his ground-breaking 90s ads, who is once again taking center stage in the industry.

Key Moments:


Direct-to-consumer brand Away integrates AI into marketing (1:22)
First-of-its-kind partnership between X Games and Amtrak (3:09)
Discussion on the challenges brands face in celebrating Pride month (5:52)
Insight into Apple's advertising and marketing strategies with Toran (7:45)
Reflection on the impact of Spike Lee on the advertising industry (10:01)




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In this riveting episode of the Ad Nerds Podcast, host Spanky Moskowitz navigates listeners through the intricate maze of the advertising industry. The episode starts off by exposing the pitfalls of programmatic ads and new throat tools, highlighting the alarming reality that advertisers are losing 23% of their programmatic ad dollars due to a lack of transparency. The discussion then takes a fascinating turn towards the revolutionary advent of Generative AI and AI hallucinations, and how these trippy visions can help small businesses grow their brand. As the episode progresses, Spanky details how to utilize generative AI to supercharge digital marketing efforts and increase customer engagement. Rounding off the discussion, he sheds light on the potential applications of generative AI for small businesses, the emergence of TikTok as a new frontier of strange cultural phenomena, and the current state of the advertising world in 2023.

Key Moments:


Advertisers lose 23% of their programmatic ad dollars due to a lack of transparency (1:34)
Introduction to generative AI and AI hallucinations (3:05)
How small businesses can use AI hallucinations to grow their brand (4:36)
Utilizing generative AI to boost digital marketing efforts and increase customer engagement (5:41)
The potential applications of generative AI for small businesses (7:41)
TikTok as the new frontier of strange cultural phenomena (9:19)
The current state of advertising in 2023 (10:59)


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In this captivating episode of Ad Nerds, Spanky whisks us on a fascinating journey across diverse marketing landscapes. From Tony the Tiger stirring controversy at the Tony Awards to the questionable effectiveness of buyer personas in advertising, the discussion takes unexpected turns. Spanky also delves into Timberland's iconic crossover into hip-hop culture and Roku's bold foray into new ad formats. He wraps up with an insightful analysis of McDonald's playful 2023 campaign by DDB Slovenia. This episode is a rollercoaster ride, full of nuggets of wisdom and intriguing perspectives on the evolving world of advertising.

Key Moments


Spanky kicks off with the intriguing idea: "What's Old Is New Again." (0:02)
The playful depiction of a cheeseburger in Vanished Detergents' campaign sparks a thought-provoking discussion. (1:28)
Kellogg's controversy surrounding the 76th annual Tony Awards takes center stage. (2:56)
Spanky debates the implications of recent boycotts initiated by conservatives. (5:26)
The effectiveness of creating buyer personas in advertising comes under scrutiny. (6:51)
Spanky sheds light on the four different buyer types advertisers need to target. (8:19)
The episode dives into Timberland's successful crossover into hip-hop and its cultural significance. (9:22)
Roku's ambitious roll-out of a new lineup of ad-free advertising units is discussed. (11:04)
Spanky wraps up the episode by discussing the new ad formats introduced by Roku, including Marquee spots and interactive ads. (12:29)


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