The Marketing Architects

Marketing Architects

Introducing a research-first podcast that builds revenue, not condos. Answer questions on the biggest marketing trends and news with discussions based in marketing, psychology and economics research. Along the way, learn about marketing accountability, category leadership, brand-building and much more. Featuring a team of experienced marketers whose blueprints for success are marketing strategies actually proven to work.

  1. 6d ago

    What's a Brand Actually Worth? with Professor Dave Reibstein

    Buy a brand, and it shows up on your balance sheet. Build one, and it doesn't. Wharton professor Dave Reibstein thinks that's backwards. This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob are joined by Dave Reibstein, the William S. Woodside Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School and co-author of Marketing Metrics. Dave explains how to put an actual number on brand value, whether you take it in price premium, volume, or some mix of both. He shares 10 years of research on how country branding shapes trade, tourism, and investment, plus why "Made in Italy" still sells shoes. Plus, hear the team pitch which country they'd take over as CMO. Topics covered:  [03:00] Research on customer capital and talent risk  [06:00] Why marketing metrics need standard definitions  [07:30] What brand value looks like as a number  [09:30] Balancing promotions against long-term brand building  [12:00] The management behavior that moves results most  [13:30] Why every country should manage its brand  [19:30] Dave's case for brand value on the balance sheet    To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.    Resources:  2021 Journal of Finance Study: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3187850 Dave Reibstein’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-reibstein-34269/   Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    What's a Brand Actually Worth? with Professor Dave Reibstein
  2. Sep 22

    Trust is a Growth Strategy with Kent Grayson

    Marketers assume the moment consumers spot a sales pitch, their guard goes up and the message dies. New research says that's only half the story. Sometimes recognizing persuasion makes people trust a brand more, not less. This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob are joined by Kellogg School of Management professor Kent Grayson, who has spent decades studying trust, deception and authenticity. He explains the three building blocks every brand draws on to earn trust, plus how to diagnose which one you're actually missing. The team also digs into whether TV itself works as a trust signal, and why AI could erode the founder story the same way paid deals eroded influencers. Topics covered:  [03:30] What the persuasion knowledge model really says  [07:30] Why people distrust "advertising" but trust the ads they watch  [10:30] Trust's three buckets: competence, honesty and benevolence  [15:30] Character-based trust vs assurance-based trust  [19:00] Can a media channel be a trust signal?  [21:30] How AI threatens the founder story  [26:00] Trustworthy creative starts with a trustworthy strategy    To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.    Resources:  2017 KelloggInsight Research: https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/how-to-make-ads-that-even-savvy-customers-trust Kent Grayson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kent-grayson-3a0894126/   Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Trust is a Growth Strategy with Kent Grayson
  3. Sep 15

    AI Didn’t Ruin Your Ads with Steve Babcock

    83% of ad executives now use AI in the creative process, up from 60% two years ago. But only 45% of young consumers feel positive about AI-made ads. Advertisers guess that number is 82%. This week, Elena and Angela are joined by Chief Creative Officer Steve Babcock to dig into that gap. Cost efficiency is now the top reason marketers reach for AI. It ranked fifth two years ago. Steve explains where AI slop really comes from, why TV punishes cut corners far more than social does, and what still has to stay human. Plus, why cutting production costs means improving the smallest line item on the page.  Topics covered:  [01:40] Why cost efficiency became AI's top-cited benefit  [04:00] Where AI slop comes from and the uncanny valley  [11:50] Should brands disclose when an ad was made with AI?  [15:00] How AI shows up in briefs, idea generation and pretesting  [22:15] Why TV is the least forgiving channel for AI creative  [27:30] The case for raising the creative ceiling, not lowering the price floor  [30:30] Steve's contrarian take on creating with AI    To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.    Resources:  2026 IAB and Sonata Insights Study: https://www.iab.com/insights/the-ai-gap-widens/   Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    AI Didn’t Ruin Your Ads with Steve Babcock
4.7
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

Introducing a research-first podcast that builds revenue, not condos. Answer questions on the biggest marketing trends and news with discussions based in marketing, psychology and economics research. Along the way, learn about marketing accountability, category leadership, brand-building and much more. Featuring a team of experienced marketers whose blueprints for success are marketing strategies actually proven to work.

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