Contrary to Popular Opinion

Vuja Dé Digital
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Created by Vuja Dé Digital, Contrary to Popular Opinion brings you provocative topics and novel perspectives around leadership, business, and marketing. The podcast delves into the latest industry topics featuring insights from marketing experts and industry leaders, along with Vuja Dé Digital’s co-founders. Subscribe and tune in weekly to stay in the know about everything important across business, advertising, and performance marketing!

  1. 4D AGO

    Sydney Sweeney & American Eagle: The Double-Edged Sword of Celebrity Branding

    In this episode, Todd and Kelly explore the cultural firestorm around Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle campaign. They explore the dynamics around the campaign and what it reveals about today's advertising environment. They debate whether Sweeney is a good brand ambassador or an example of the double-edged sword of celebrity endorsements. They analyze how sex appeal, polarization, and politics shape consumer perception. The question of whether brands should chase short-term virality or focus on long-term brand equity, is also a part of the discussion. From the blurred lines between jeans and "genetic genes" to the unpredictability of social media backlash, they investigate how advertising must both break through the noise and stay true to brand values. Ultimately, Todd calls the campaign a deliberate lightning rod, while Kelly frames it as an ongoing story that demonstrates how in today's polarizing environment, every bold move comes with both risks and rewards. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Contrary to Popular Opinion Podcast00:01:59 - Celebrity Branding and the Role of Brand Ambassadors00:03:00 - The New Reality of Risk and Polarization in Advertising00:06:50 - Separating Performer from Persona in Brand Campaigns00:08:58 - Political Fallout, Stock Impact, and Brand Risk00:10:48 - Navigating Neutrality and the Challenge of Corporate Values00:14:20 - The Need to Break Through and Capture Attention00:16:15 - Sex Appeal as a Modern Advertising Strategy00:16:59 - Tapping into Human Emotion and Universal Motivators00:19:48 - Handling Social Media Outrage and Backlash00:23:25 - Branding Misstep or Strategic Lightning Rod00:24:03 - An “Unfinished Book” and the Uncertain Outcome Ahead Links and Resources: Kelly Maguire on LinkedInTodd Juneau on LinkedInVuja Dé Digital  Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Contrary to Popular Opinion? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

    27 min

  2. AUG 12

    Small Fish, Big Pond: The Truth About Agency Priority

    this week's episode, Todd Juneau and Kelly Maguire reflect on a recent Ad Age article on the rise of independent media agencies — and explore the strengths and nuances of indie agencies versus HoldCo agencies. They address one of the real differentiators: client priority. From “small fish in a big pond” dynamics to the willingness of indie agencies to do what it takes to achieve results for their clients. They explore how agency size, processes, and people shape results. It’s a candid look at the indie vs. HoldCo debate, loaded with on-the-ground insights for marketing leaders working their way through today’s agency world. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Kicking Off with Candid Industry Insights00:00:45 - Todd & Kelly Take the Mic00:01:01 - Why Indie Media Agencies Are Winning Big00:02:02 - Speed vs. Agility: The Real Edge in Advertising00:03:17 - How Client Priority Can Make or Break Your Results00:09:35 - Big Agency Scale: Strength or Stumbling Block?00:22:00 - Chasing Cost Savings at the Expense of Quality00:30:38 - Finding Your Fit: Choosing the Right Agency Partner00:38:49 - Wrapping Up with Unfiltered Takeaways Links and Resources: Kelly Maguire on LinkedInTodd Juneau on LinkedInVuja Dé Digital  Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Contrary to Popular Opinion? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

    40 min

  3. JUL 22

    You're Not Buying Media, You're Buying Outcomes

    You're Not Buying Media, You're Buying Outcomes Media buying is evolving faster than ever, and smart marketers are rethinking what they're actually purchasing when they invest in advertising. In this thought-provoking episode, Todd and Kelly explore a fundamental shift happening across the industry: the rise of principal media buying, where agencies and platforms pre-purchase inventory and resell it to brands. This approach has expanded significantly across digital channels, from Meta to programmatic display, fundamentally changing how media gets bought and sold. But here's the strategic question every marketer needs to answer: Are you optimizing for cheap media or profitable outcomes? What Todd and Kelly explore: How principal buying models work across digital and emerging channelsWhy "buying power" isn't always the competitive advantage it appears to beThe evolution of inventory pre-buying in modern media planningSmart questions to ask when evaluating any media partnershipHow to align agency incentives with business outcomes, regardless of buying model The reality is that different buying approaches (whether programmatic, direct, or principal models) each come with distinct advantages and trade-offs. The most successful marketers understand these dynamics and choose partners who can navigate them transparently. The strategic insight: The goal of any media investment should be turning spend into measurable business growth. The key is ensuring your partners are optimizing for your success, not just media efficiency. With insights like “you’re not buying media, you’re buying outcomes,” this episode is a wake-up call for CMOs chasing efficiency at the cost of impact and outcomes. Ready to elevate your media strategy beyond just buying cheap impressions? This conversation will shift how you think about partnership, transparency, and what really drives results. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Setting the Stage: Real Talk Between Founders00:00:55 - The Topic No One’s Naming (But Everyone’s Doing)00:01:09 - When Media Buying Stopped Making Sense00:02:31 - Pre-Buying, Markups, and Agency Incentives00:08:06 - Trust, Transparency, and What Clients Deserve00:10:04 - Why Most Media Plans Miss the Point00:15:59 - If I Were CMO… Here’s What I’d Ask00:26:24 - One Dollar Should Give You More Than a Dollar Back Links and Resources: Kelly Maguire on LinkedInTodd Juneau on LinkedInVuja Dé Digital  Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Contrary to Popular Opinion? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

    29 min

  4. JUL 8

    Beyond Performance: The Real ROI in 2025

    In this episode, Todd Juneau and Kelly Maguire share why the most successful brands think like orchard owners. They nurture long-term brand value while still harvesting performance wins today. It's not about choosing sides in the brand vs. performance debate; it's about understanding that they're two sides of the same coin. What You'll Discover in This Episode:Brand Loyalty vs. Algorithm Loyalty → Why customers who love your brand convert at 3x the rate of those who just clicked your ad The Storytelling-to-Sales Pipeline → How authentic connection can turn casual browsers into lifetime customers The Creator Economy Truth Bomb → Why influencers are secretly your most powerful brand amplifiers (when used correctly) The 2025 ROI Framework → How to marry brand depth with performance dollars for maximum impact Chapters: 00:00:00 - Kicking Off: Why a Holistic Marketing Mindset Wins00:00:57 - Your Guides: Todd & Kelly Unfiltered00:01:18 - Cannes Chaos: What Marketers Should Really Take Away00:03:08 - Brand Power: Still the Ultimate Marketing Edge00:05:35 - Clash or Combo? Performance vs. Brand Building00:09:18 - Storytelling That Sells: Turning Clicks Into Loyalty00:26:03 - Creators & Influencers: The Hidden Brand Amplifiers00:34:35 - Wrapping Up: Marrying Brand Depth With Performance Dollars Links and Resources: Kelly Maguire on LinkedInTodd Juneau on LinkedInVuja Dé Digital  Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Contrary to Popular Opinion? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

    38 min

  5. JUL 1

    Beyond the Award: Building Culture That Actually Drives Performance

    What does it really take to build an award-winning agency culture in an industry obsessed with clicks and fees? In this episode, Todd and Kelly talk about why being named an Inc. 500 Best Workplaces 2025 Honoree actually matters, and why it’s more than a vanity metric. They discuss the invisible ROI of trust, empathy, and collaboration. They explore how low turnover, emotional intelligence, and thoughtful hiring translate into smarter media strategies and lasting client value. From confronting the paradox of scaling intimacy to battling rising costs in a race-to-the-bottom industry, this candid conversation challenges traditional agency models and offers a fresh look at what truly drives performance. If you’ve ever wondered how to retain A-level talent, differentiate beyond platforms, or build a workplace where people don’t just stay, but thrive - this one's for you. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Kicking Things Off: The Power of Real Collaboration00:00:59 - Meet Your Hosts: Kelly and Todd in the Spotlight00:01:08 - Big Win Alert: Inc. Best Places to Work Celebration00:02:11 - What a Genuine Work Culture Really Looks Like00:03:14 - Growing Pains: How the Workplace Has Evolved00:07:53 - Trust, Tight Teams, and the Magic of Collaboration00:14:35 - How to Spot, Hire, and Keep A-Players on Your Team00:16:59 - Scaling Smart: Balancing Headcount with Overhead00:24:44 - Parting Thoughts: Gratitude, Growth, and Looking Ahead Links and Resources: Kelly Maguire on LinkedInTodd Juneau on LinkedInVuja Dé Digital  Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Contrary to Popular Opinion? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

    31 min

  6. JUN 12

    AI and Marketing : Separating Hype from Real Utility

    Todd and Kelly tackle one of the hottest debates in marketing: how real is AI’s impact, and where does the human touch still matter? They discuss the buzz around “Agentic AI,” the emergence of synthetic personas for focus group replacement, and why creativity and analytics still demand human nuance. With sharp insights and a bit of friction, they challenge the value of custom-built AI tools, debate whether proprietary agency tech really delivers unique results, and explore the evolving agency-client relationship in the era of AI. If you’re a marketer trying to make sense of the AI hype, this episode delivers the clarity and controversy you need. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Can AI Really Do Our Jobs? Opening Thoughts from Todd and Kelly00:01:17 - Behind the Scenes at an AI-Heavy Agency Conference00:02:33 - The Great AI Debate: Tool or Talent Replacement?00:04:30 - Human-Driven AI: Why Autonomy Isn’t Here Yet00:08:15 - "Build vs. Buy" Showdown: What Are Agencies Really Selling?00:12:47 - Synthetic Personas: The End of Focus Groups as We Know Them?00:14:10 - Training AI with First-Party Data: Superhuman or Super Risky?00:15:26 - Are Agencies Building Tools—or Just Branding Over APIs?00:16:45 - Paint-by-Numbers AI: Creative Shortcut or Strategic Compromise?00:18:02 - Is Proprietary Just a Sales Pitch? What Clients Really Buy Into00:19:33 - Slick UI, Same Engine: When Packaging Beats Performance00:21:00 - Why the Best Agencies Still Bet on People Over Platforms00:22:38 - Can You Automate Strategy? The Fatal Flaw in "Build Mentality"00:24:14 - The Real Agency Differentiator: Talent, Not Tools Links and Resources: Kelly Maguire on LinkedInTodd Juneau on LinkedInVuja Dé Digital  Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Contrary to Popular Opinion? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

    34 min

  7. MAY 13

    AI, CRO & the New Rules of Consumer Engagement with Matt Crincoli

    Todd and Kelly sit down with strategic digital leader Matt Crincoli, to discuss the real meaning of conversion rate optimization (CRO) in today’s marketing mix. Together, they dismantle previous tactics, like changing button colors to influence engagement and conversions, and dive into what really makes a difference today: strategic personalizationjourney mappingand AI-powered agility. Matt shares why a strong CRO process not only improves media ROI but also creates resilient digital infrastructures that can pivot fast in a volatile market. From AI-generated landing pages to the rise of agentic AI, this is a no-fluff masterclass for marketers who want more than surface-level tactics. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Rethinking the Role of Creative Teams: From Tweaks to Transformations00:01:03 – Powerhouse Perspectives: Meet Todd, Kelly & CRO Pro Matt Crincoli00:01:29 – CRO, Reimagined: It’s More Than Just Conversions00:03:01 – Landing Pages That Actually Work (And Why Most Don’t)00:03:49 – From Friction to Flow: Designing for Real User Behavior00:06:25 – How AI is Turbocharging CRO (and Killing Old Excuses)00:09:01 – Why Creative Consistency Beats Flashy Design Every Time00:20:53 – Process Makes Perfect: Building CRO Strategies That Flex and Scale00:32:45 – AI, AGI, and the CRO Future That’s Already Here00:34:51 – Final Thoughts: Why Smart Marketers Still Matter in an AI World Links and Resources: Kelly Maguire on LinkedInTodd Juneau on LinkedInVuja Dé Digital  Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Contrary to Popular Opinion? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

    35 min

  8. APR 29

    Tariffs, Tactics, and Tough Calls: Marketing Strategy in Uncertain Times

    Todd and Kelly dissect the marketing decisions brands must make during economic turbulence, specifically in the face of new tariffs and rising costs. They explore whether brands should pull back on media spend or double down to capture market share. Using insights from past crises like COVID-19, they emphasize why smart, analytical marketing and not emotional knee-jerk responses is crucial right now. From reevaluating media buying strategies to adjusting communications without eroding consumer trust, Todd and Kelly outline how brand managers and marketers can pivot intelligently. They discuss how to protect long-term brand equity, and unlock hidden opportunities even in a tightening economy. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Kicking Off: How Economic Cycles Shape Smart Marketers00:00:48 - Tariffs Are Here: What It Means for Brands and Buyers00:01:32 - Fight or Flight: Marketing Moves During Market Mayhem00:03:08 - Cracking the Code: Consumer Behavior and Media Price Shifts00:06:55 - Tactical Pivots: Winning Marketing Plays in Tough Times00:10:18 - Price Hikes? How to Protect Your Brand and Keep Customers00:15:00 - Planting Seeds Now: Crafting a Future-Proof Marketing Strategy00:28:59 - Wrapping Up: Staying Sharp, Bold, and Ready for the Upswing Links and Resources: Kelly Maguire on LinkedInTodd Juneau on LinkedInVuja Dé Digital  Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Contrary to Popular Opinion? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

    37 min
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5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Created by Vuja Dé Digital, Contrary to Popular Opinion brings you provocative topics and novel perspectives around leadership, business, and marketing. The podcast delves into the latest industry topics featuring insights from marketing experts and industry leaders, along with Vuja Dé Digital’s co-founders. Subscribe and tune in weekly to stay in the know about everything important across business, advertising, and performance marketing!

Information

  • Creator
    Vuja Dé Digital
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Vuja Dé Digital
  • Show Website
    Contrary to Popular Opinion