Strange Coordinates

territorial
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MARKETING

Strap in. We're going on a trip! Robert and Topher, cofounders of advertising agency Territorial, explore the weird, compelling, and sometimes forgotten corners of our culture through a surprising lens: the brands we all know and/or love. Every episode uses a familiar brand as a roadmap to stories you would never imagine to help you see the world in a new way. To learn more about Robert Balog & Topher Burns, and their work at Territorial, visit www.weareterritorial.com or find them on LinkedIn.

  1. DEC 11

    Do Robots Dream of Brands? (ep 16)

    In our newest episode of Strange Coordinates, we dive into OpenAI and the identity crisis happening across the landscape. Everyone’s racing to make emotional, cinematic ads… but do they know what they stand for? --- territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@strangecoordinates Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeCoordinates --- Show art & design by Chris Allen Editing by Steph George Marketing by Billy Silverman Episode music by Blue Dot Sessions Video editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

    1h 12m

  2. OCT 30 · BONUS

    Strange(r) Coordinates: Kelly Colbert

    In our latest Strange(r) Coordinates interview, we sat down with Kelly Colbert, fractional CMO for the Humane Society, to explore how brand strategy works when your goal is purpose, not profit. From her days at Anthem to leading communications for one of the world’s top animal welfare organizations, Kelly shares insights on authenticity, empathy, and storytelling that connects hearts as much as minds. --- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellycolbert/ --- 📌 Subscribe on YouTube for more Strange(r) Coordinates: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeCoordinates?sub_confirmation=1 --- Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28 Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding: https://www.weareterritorial.com/bot-friendly-branding --- Credits Show art & design by Chris Allen Editing by Steph George Marketing by Billy Silverman Episode music by Blue Dot Sessions Video editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

    46 min

  3. OCT 1

    In For A Treat (ep 15)

    How did a simple dog biscuit become a cultural icon? 🦴 In this episode of Strange Coordinates, Topher Burns and Robert Balog explore the surprising story of Milk-Bone — a brand that turned an everyday pet treat into a ritual, a household name, and even a piece of advertising history. You’ll learn: 🐾 How Milk-Bone went from functional snack to cultural symbol 🐾 Why advertising shaped not just what dogs eat, but how people relate to them 🐾 The role of play, absurdity, and memory in building lasting brands If you’ve ever given your dog a treat without thinking twice, you’ve been part of Milk-Bone’s story. --- territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28 Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding: https://www.weareterritorial.com/bot-friendly-branding --- Show art & design by Chris Allen Editing by Steph George Marketing by Billy Silverman Episode music by Blue Dot Sessions Video editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

    1h 12m

  4. SEP 9 · BONUS

    Strange(r) Coordinates: Ben Jenkins

    In this episode of Strange(r) Coordinates, Aydan Sarikaya and Robert Balog talk with Ben Jenkins about the signals, impressions, and contexts that drive creative work and shape how people experience brands. From the way we read meaning before we hear messages, to the role of culture in creativity, this conversation explores the messy, human side of brand building. We discuss: Why brands are interpreted faster than they’re understoodHow ambiguity and creativity go hand in handWhat it means to make meaning in a world of noise and speed If branding is about stories, this episode shows why you don’t always get to hold the pen. --- Ben Jenkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bensjenkins/ Okay Human on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okayhuman/ --- Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28 Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding: https://www.weareterritorial.com/bot-friendly-branding --- Credits Show art & design by Chris Allen Editing by Steph George Marketing by Billy Silverman Episode music by Blue Dot Sessions Video editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

    53 min

  5. AUG 21

    Paper Brain (ep 14)

    The history of Post-It Notes begins with a glue that didn’t work. What started as a failed aerospace adhesive at 3M became one of the most unlikely and influential inventions in creative culture. From agency war rooms to startup whiteboards to digital tools like Miro and Figma, sticky notes have shaped how we think, collaborate, and build ideas. In this episode of Strange Coordinates, Topher Burns and Robert Balog unpack: How Post-It Notes were accidentally inventedWhy they became the universal language of brainstormingWhat their survival in the digital era tells us about branding and innovation If you’ve ever stuck an idea on the wall, you’re already part of this story. Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28 Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding: https://www.weareterritorial.com/bot-friendly-branding Check out our YouTube channel to look at our faces while you listen: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeCoordinates Credits Show art & design by Chris Allen Editing by Steph George Marketing by Billy Silverman Episode music by Blue Dot Sessions Video editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

    59 min

  6. JUL 30 · BONUS

    Strange(r) Coordinates: Andrea Buccilla

    In this episode of Strange(r) Coordinates, we're diving into the explosive growth of women’s sports—and the powerful branding and storytelling opportunities that come with it. Co-host Aydan Sarikaya is joined by territorial colleague Julie Sullivan and special guest Andrea Buccilla, a documentary and commercial director known for her work on Shattered Glass and Power Forward, a Delta x WNBA series. From WNBA valuations and brand sponsorships to why women’s sports are finally getting their spotlight, we explore: • Why now is a breakthrough moment for women’s leagues • How Andrea crafts authentic stories in a space often overlooked • What smart brands are doing right when entering this space • The power of product placement, athlete-driven content, and fandom as cultural currency If you're into branding, sports media, or the future of advertising in culture—you’ll want to hit play. 👇 Drop a comment if you’ve been to a WNBA game—or want to.And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share. - Andrea Buccilla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-buccilla/ Veteran Made: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veteranmadeproductions/ - territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28 - Show art & design by Chris Allen Editing by Steph George Marketing by Billy Silverman Episode music by Blue Dot Sessions Video editing by Patrick Elmore

    45 min

  7. JUL 10

    Fast Fashion (ep 13)

    How did a nondescript running shoe like New Balance become a millennial fashion statement? Topher Burns and Robert Balog explore the surprising intersections of atheltics, fashion, inequality, and barnyard animals. - Subscribe to our mailing list: https://forms.gle/YH9y99y1d9ZVKNm28 - Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding: https://www.weareterritorial.com/bot-friendly-branding - territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial - Want to see our faces while we talk? You can also find Strange Coordinates wherever you get your podcasts. - Show art & design by Chris Allen Editing by Steph George Marketing by Billy Silverman Episode music by Blue Dot Sessions Video editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

    1h 2m

  8. JUN 17 · BONUS

    Strange(r) Coordinates: Eli Altman

    In our latest Strange(r) Coordinates interview, Eli Altman of A Hundred Monkeys gives us insight into the world of naming. Also, we explore how he thinks of sustainable growth and why the least-tenured person at his company has been there for six years. It’s the best of interviews, it’s the… blurst of interviews? Eli Altman on LinkedIn A Hundred Monkeys on LinkedIn Subscribe to our mailing list Learn about our approach to Bot-Friendly Branding - territorial is an advertising agency that helps brands find their place in the world. To see our work and learn more about what we do, visit weareterritorial.com and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareterritorial - Want to see our faces while we talk? You can also find Strange Coordinates on YouTube. - Show art & design by Chris Allen Editing by Steph George Marketing by Billy Silverman Episode music by Blue Dot Sessions Video editing by Patrick Elmore: https://www.patrickelmore.co/

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Strap in. We're going on a trip! Robert and Topher, cofounders of advertising agency Territorial, explore the weird, compelling, and sometimes forgotten corners of our culture through a surprising lens: the brands we all know and/or love. Every episode uses a familiar brand as a roadmap to stories you would never imagine to help you see the world in a new way. To learn more about Robert Balog & Topher Burns, and their work at Territorial, visit www.weareterritorial.com or find them on LinkedIn.

Information

  • Creator
    territorial
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 territorial
  • Show Website
    Strange Coordinates