Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

A romp through marketing firsts, from the Jolly Green Giant's origin to Mr. Potato Head's record-breaking debut. Hear how early car, fast food and toy commercials reshaped sales and mascots. Learn about pioneering pharmaceutical ads, early AIDS PSAs, and IKEA's controversial 1994 spot. Ends with the iPhone's famous 'hello' launch and reflections on how first ads sparked cultural change.

A tour of famous branded landmarks that doubled as giant advertisements. Stories include a secret spire that briefly claimed a skyscraper crown and a riverfront headquarters with a giant clock. You’ll hear why a towering antenna solved transmission woes and how a music hall became a lasting civic monument. Each structure reveals how companies used architecture to cement their names in the skyline.

A roundup of enduring cultural ideas that stuck around for decades. A largely wordless comic character and why physical comedy travels worldwide. The roadside invention that grew into motel culture and its Hollywood lore. A cult film that flopped, then became a midnight-ritual phenomenon with devoted audience participation.

A look at Rue McClanahan’s motto, "every kick's a boost," and how rejection was reframed as fuel. Stories trace career setbacks, a pivotal Emmy moment, and the chain of events that led from disappointments to The Golden Girls. Short reflections on perseverance and the idea that knocks can redirect you toward opportunity.

A romp through how promoters turned brutal contests into mass spectacles. It traces a 1920s promoter’s playbook through boxing, pro wrestling’s MTV-fueled rise, and the UFC’s shock-to-sensation journey. The show maps spectacle, merchandising, TV strategies, and big-money deals that transformed combat sports into mainstream entertainment.

A romp through intentionally strange ads that grab attention with shock and surreal humor. Stories include bizarre Super Bowl spots, odd product stunts, and campaigns that trade polish for memorability. The conversation highlights how absurdity and deliberate weirdness help brands cut through online noise. Expect wild creative choices and marketing gambles that became unforgettable.

Creative uses of sound and voice drive surprising campaigns. Snoring recordings become mattress discounts. A warped vinyl warns about UV damage. Family-voiced hearing tests and MRI noise turned into stories show emotional audio solutions. A radio spot reframes ugliness as a selling point and funny ads sell remote meter readers.

There are many products in the world that have “unintended uses.”Originally designed for one purpose, the general public has discovered alternate uses for these items.From Windex to baking soda to Ozempic, the makers of these products had no idea they would be used for so many unimagined tasks.And in one story today, the alternate use of diapers may surprise you.We know you want to listen to all the ads in this show. On the off-chance you don’t, subscribe ad-free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Creative movie stunts and why marketers choose bold approaches. Tiny billboards used to promote a superhero film. A sweating Hemsworth billboard engineered to go viral. Viral Zoom pranks and oversized branding for a surprise comedy hit. How a famous musician financed and bans boosted a controversial comedy’s success.

A celebration of tiny inventions that quietly changed daily life. Stories range from the bread clip and Q-Tips to the ballpoint pen’s tiny mechanism. Learn how a spilled coffee led to the coffee sleeve and how a small fuel-gauge arrow solved a common problem. Short tales show how little design touches boost safety, convenience and cut waste.