Marketing, Machines & Mischief

Matthew Newell

The weekly intelligence briefing that actually respects your time and brain cells. Marketing veterans Matthew Newell and Chris Stone deliver 10-minute episodes packed with what happened in marketing that didn't suck, AI developments that won't be obsolete by Thursday, and creative campaigns worth your attention. No fluff. No corporate speak. No hour-long "journeys." Just sharp insights from professionals who've survived enough industry disasters to separate breakthrough from BS. Whether you're running your first campaign or your thousandth rebrand, you'll finish each episode knowing something actionable - plus you'll probably chuckle. Perfect for day-1 and day-10,000 marketers who want concentrated weekly intelligence that moves the needle. Because great marketing isn't just science - it's art, instinct, and knowing which robots to trust. New episodes every week. Real perspective. Actual value.

  1. 2d ago

    Big Pharma’s Bizarre TV Ads: Behind the Madness and the Marketing -- EP 045

    On today’s episode, Matthew & Chris tumble down the wild and wacky rabbit hole of Big Pharma’s prescription drug TV advertising—where anime secret agents fight nausea, Broadway musical numbers break out over diabetes meds, and even the ball dog steals the commercial. The duo also unpacks some of the week’s biggest headlines: Meta faces another eye-popping fine and new safety rules, Google quietly tests "Remy," its new AI personal agent, and Disney sells out all Super Bowl ad slots for 2027, marking milestones in price and spectacle. But the main course? A deep dive into why U.S. and New Zealand television are still a playground for pharmaceutical ads—and how upcoming FDA changes could reset the entire zany genre. Along the way, the Mischievous Duo roast, dissect, and sort-of celebrate the creativity (and absurdity) behind ads that want to make even side effects look like a show tune. Stick around for insightful banter, classic commercial breakdowns, and a reminder to appreciate the glorious, bizarre art form that is the Big Pharma TV spot—before it changes forever. 📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU 🔗 **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

    Big Pharma’s Bizarre TV Ads: Behind the Madness and the Marketing -- EP 045
  2. Aug 10

    How Small Businesses Can Win With Marketing Automation and AI Without Losing Their Unique Voice – EP 044

    e want small businesses to succeed. We jump into the everyday challenges that small businesses face when it comes to marketing strategy, exploring where entrepreneurs should focus their limited time, money, and energy—and what they can afford to skip. The episode kicks off with a rundown of the latest impactful marketing headlines, including Unilever and Coca-Cola’s impressive World Cup ad results, and a closer look at Meta’s skyrocketing ad revenues (and concerns about shady ad dollars and AI spending). From there, we turn our attention to actionable advice for small business owners in a rapidly changing marketing landscape. We discuss the crucial balance between embracing AI automation and preserving authentic brand voice, how to budget and test marketing channels, and the importance of planning ahead—even if you feel overwhelmed. Whether you’re a solopreneur, a growing venture, or a local favorite, this episode is packed with insights to help your brand stand out, stay human, and grow smart in an AI-powered world. 📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU 🔗 **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

    How Small Businesses Can Win With Marketing Automation and AI Without Losing Their Unique Voice – EP 044
  3. Jul 24

    Breaking Down World Cup 2026: Record-Breaking Viewership and Unexpected Brand Victories – EP 042

    Welcome to this special quadrennial edition of Marketing, Machines & Mischief! In this banger, we break down the marketing madness behind the 2026 FIFA World Cup—doing deeeeeep into the record-shattering viewership, standout advertising moments, unexpected brand winners (hello, ranch dressing!), and creative ambush tactics from major brands. From the influence of shows like Ted Lasso to the viral power of influencers and the Super Bowl-style halftime spectacle, we dissect why this year’s World Cup was such a marketing juggernaut—especially for the US audience. Grab your vuvuzelas (if the law hasn’t gotten to them yet) and get ready to explore the strategies and surprises that made the world’s biggest sporting event a dream come true for marketers and brands everywhere. 📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU 🔗 **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

    Breaking Down World Cup 2026: Record-Breaking Viewership and Unexpected Brand Victories – EP 042
  4. Jul 13

    We Ranked 2026's Best and Worst Marketing Campaigns (One Involves a Fugitive President) : EP 040

    Halfway through 2026 and the marketing world has already delivered a synthetic skin car that sunburns on camera, a dictator in a hoodie generating millions of free impressions, and kids' juice brands quietly adding vodka to the lineup. Matthew and Chris break down exactly what made a campaign a genius move versus a brand crisis waiting to happen, and why the difference usually comes down to one decision made under pressure. This episode covers the real content challenges brands are navigating right now: how far is too far when nostalgia brands chase relevance, what happens when a viral moment you never planned for lands on your doorstep, and why marketers keep bringing in engineers, historians, and other outside talent to pull off ideas that actually break through. You will also get a mid-year check on the trillion dollar global ad spend milestone, why retail media from Amazon to Walmart is becoming as important as Google and Meta, the shift from SEO to generative engine optimization, and which marketing executives already lost their jobs over decisions made in the first half of the year. Matthew and Chris close out with predictions for the rest of 2026, covering where TikTok commerce is headed and why AI detection tools might change how audiences trust everything they see online. If you work in marketing, advertising, or content, this is the mid year update you actually need. Drop your own picks for the best and worst campaigns of 2026 in the comments, and hit subscribe so you never miss a weekly breakdown. 📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU 🔗 **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

    We Ranked 2026's Best and Worst Marketing Campaigns (One Involves a Fugitive President) : EP 040

About

The weekly intelligence briefing that actually respects your time and brain cells. Marketing veterans Matthew Newell and Chris Stone deliver 10-minute episodes packed with what happened in marketing that didn't suck, AI developments that won't be obsolete by Thursday, and creative campaigns worth your attention. No fluff. No corporate speak. No hour-long "journeys." Just sharp insights from professionals who've survived enough industry disasters to separate breakthrough from BS. Whether you're running your first campaign or your thousandth rebrand, you'll finish each episode knowing something actionable - plus you'll probably chuckle. Perfect for day-1 and day-10,000 marketers who want concentrated weekly intelligence that moves the needle. Because great marketing isn't just science - it's art, instinct, and knowing which robots to trust. New episodes every week. Real perspective. Actual value.