Claim OwnershipUgly, Irresponsible, & Childish
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“People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish... but that’s only if it’s done properly.” -- Banksy, Wall & Piece, 2005
In a data-driven world that rewards precision & conformity, we forget that creativity -- in all its forms -- is supposed to be messy & provocative. Each week, two creatives with a combined 6+ decades of experience will remind people of just how inspirational creativity can be. We’ll discuss ideas and creative work in every corner of the universe: The amazing and the awful, the smart and the senseless, the bold and the boring. And we’ll do it all in a manner that’s equal parts thoughtful, irreverent -- and unflinchingly honest (although, let’ be real: we’re not the most reliable narrators, so instead of being aggrieved, remember that this is free).
And if we offend you, please remember that our willingness to apologize is directly proportional to the potential of engaging us for paid creative work.
About Jeremy & Marc:
Jeremy’s greatest achievement was a come-from-behind win in a 400-meter high school relay. Since then, he’s done mainly creative stuff. As Chief Creative Catalyst for 25+ years at one of the world’s largest agencies, Jeremy has worked for or against most any brand you can name, winning enough Plexiglas and metal to build a city’s worth of bus shelters. Next to his track trophy, Jeremy’s most proud of his book aimed at young marketing professionals—The Book We Wish We Had—along with founding the Creative Catalyst Network, a group of more than 200 international creative thinkers, ensuring that every creative challenge is explored through a kaleidoscope of cultures.
As one of the PR industry’s most beloved and successful creative forces (oh, for God’s sakes – would it kill you to humor me – just this once???), Marc has created innovative integrated marketing programs for nearly every conceivable category & client, from Audi to Zyrtec. In addition to his innovative brainstorming techniques, strategic planning and role as an “HR-Free Zone,” Marc is currently writing a book on creativity, Seriously Creative, which – let’s be honest here – he’ll never finish. (A “pop-up” version is not entirely out of the question.) A US Army veteran (no — really!) and reformed sports marketer, a diorama of Marc’s work at the Sydney Olympic Games is featured in its own rotunda as part of the Smithsonian’s wing celebrating “PR People Who Work While Everyone Else Attends the Closing Ceremonies.”
In a data-driven world that rewards precision & conformity, we forget that creativity -- in all its forms -- is supposed to be messy & provocative. Each week, two creatives with a combined 6+ decades of experience will remind people of just how inspirational creativity can be. We’ll discuss ideas and creative work in every corner of the universe: The amazing and the awful, the smart and the senseless, the bold and the boring. And we’ll do it all in a manner that’s equal parts thoughtful, irreverent -- and unflinchingly honest (although, let’ be real: we’re not the most reliable narrators, so instead of being aggrieved, remember that this is free).
And if we offend you, please remember that our willingness to apologize is directly proportional to the potential of engaging us for paid creative work.
About Jeremy & Marc:
Jeremy’s greatest achievement was a come-from-behind win in a 400-meter high school relay. Since then, he’s done mainly creative stuff. As Chief Creative Catalyst for 25+ years at one of the world’s largest agencies, Jeremy has worked for or against most any brand you can name, winning enough Plexiglas and metal to build a city’s worth of bus shelters. Next to his track trophy, Jeremy’s most proud of his book aimed at young marketing professionals—The Book We Wish We Had—along with founding the Creative Catalyst Network, a group of more than 200 international creative thinkers, ensuring that every creative challenge is explored through a kaleidoscope of cultures.
As one of the PR industry’s most beloved and successful creative forces (oh, for God’s sakes – would it kill you to humor me – just this once???), Marc has created innovative integrated marketing programs for nearly every conceivable category & client, from Audi to Zyrtec. In addition to his innovative brainstorming techniques, strategic planning and role as an “HR-Free Zone,” Marc is currently writing a book on creativity, Seriously Creative, which – let’s be honest here – he’ll never finish. (A “pop-up” version is not entirely out of the question.) A US Army veteran (no — really!) and reformed sports marketer, a diorama of Marc’s work at the Sydney Olympic Games is featured in its own rotunda as part of the Smithsonian’s wing celebrating “PR People Who Work While Everyone Else Attends the Closing Ceremonies.”
30 Episodes
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In Part 4 of the Joe Eszterhas sessions, the Hollywood screenwriter behind Music Box recounts how his film about Hungarian warcrimes unexpectedly echoed his own family history when his father became the target of a U.S. investigation. The conversation traces the shock of discovery, the collapse of their relationship, and the moral and emotional fallout.
Hosts Jeremy & Marc frame the story around creativity, risk, and the personal costs of art, closing with a look ahead to Joe’s later cancer battle and spiritual renewal.
Joe Eszterhas joins hosts Marc and Jeremy to revisit the defining Hollywood moments of his career — from mentorship under Norman Jewison and hard-fought battles with Sylvester Stallone to the controversy, criticism, and commercial highs and lows that shaped his work.
Tune in for candid stories about creative clashes, the power dynamics of agents like Michael Ovitz, moral ambiguity in storytelling, and the personal choices that ultimately led Joe away from Hollywood and back to a different life.
On today's episode, Jeremy & Marc continue their conversation with Hollywood legend Joe Eszterhas as he recounts breaking the My Lai photos, his rise at Rolling Stone, and his leap into films. Joe discusses creative risks, clashes with studios and stars, the ‘twisted little man’ in his work, and notorious unproduced scripts like Sacred Cows.
Joe's topics include Vietnam, Rocky Balboa, Hunter S. Thompson and more. Jeremy & Marc also tease a future episode about a family secret and Joe’s battle with stage-four throat cancer, promising a deeper, more personal conversation next time.
Hosts Jeremy & Marc sit down with Hollywood legend and best-selling author Joe Eszterhas to trace his extraordinary life and career — from living in Hungarian refugee camps to becoming the sold-out, record-setting writer behind films like Basic Instinct, Flashdance, and Jagged Edge.
The episode covers Eszterhas' early years as a journalist, encounters with music icons, his creative process and themes of good versus evil, enduring risk-taking in Hollywood, and advice for young writers.
It happens. That idea you so loved and believed in crashes and burns. How do you handle the embarrassment, the bruised credibility, theshaken confidence? Marc and Jeremy feel your pain and have the creative battles scars to prove it. In the words of Good Will Hunting’s Sean Maguire, “It’s not your fault.”
The duo discuss creative failure, resilience, and how to recover credibility after an idea tanks. They announce the show’s move to video and preview a multi-part interview series with Hollywood screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, covering his remarkable life, career highs and lows, and lessons about creativity.
The episode blends candid industry stories, practical tips for bouncing back, and reflections on taking risks—offering listeners guidance and encouragement for anyone who presents ideas and faces rejection.
In today's episode, Jeremy & Marc reflect on the people who shaped their careers—mentors, bosses, clients, and unexpected influences. Through candid stories about fear, trust, and boldness, they explore how relationships and moments of failure forged their creative approach.
They share lessons from a brilliant but intimidating leader, a renegade mentor who taught them to be daring, a manager who put people first, and a client who enforced discipline. The episode highlights the importance of having a boss who has your back, learning from everyone, and embracing risk to produce original work.
Hosts Marc and Jeremy share their top picks for three categories of Super Bowl 60 ads: Ugly ones, Irresponsible ones, and delightfully Childish ones. They call out celebrity-packed flops, awkward AI/de-aging work, and wasted big-budget moments, while praising standout spots like Liquid Death, Manscaped, and Redfin.
This episode mixes sharp critiques, business perspective, and honest laughs as the hosts debate which ads landed and which should have spent their money elsewhere.
Give it a listen to find out which brands fumbled, which played it perfectly, and which tossed Hail Mary passes.
In this episode of Ugly, Irresponsible, and Childish, we explore the unrelenting pursuit of creativity and the workplace cultures that either celebrate or suffocate it.
In this episode of Ugly, Irresponsible, and Childish, hosts Marc Levy and Jeremy Baka sit down with industry veteran Bob Osmond to discuss leadership, coaching, psychological safety, career transitions, and practical ways agencies can protect creativity while driving results.
Shut up. No Dancing. Kill the robots. Long live humans. No, this isn’t some dystopian novel. It’s the latest “Ugly, Irresponsible & Childish” episode featuring the straight-talking Dos and Don’t of presentations and sales pitches.
Marc & Jeremy deliver a candid guide to presenting. Drawing on real pitch stories, they explain how to read the room, sell your humanity instead of a hard sell, and choose when to rehearse or improvise.
This episode covers concrete do's and don'ts: know your audience, don’t over-rehearse, invite questions early, use short personal stories to make ideas stick, and above all—shut up and listen.
Welcome back, listeners! In our long-awaited 2026 debut, Jeremy and Marc return to discuss how fake ideas—empty taglines, celebrity-dependent campaigns, and superficial marketing tactics—undermine true creativity and brand strategy. They share personal stories from agency life, critique examples, and explain why ideas must ladder to the brand, not just a catchy line or influencer.
They also explore how celebrities can boost recall yet overshadow the brand, and tease an upcoming video episode featuring a legendary guest.
Marc and Jeremy do a 2025 year-end wrap up, along with a 2026 prediction about brands that might just cause some anger issues. Which, strangely enough, is the whole point.
In accordance with universal law, Marc and Jeremy share their annual holiday gift-guide ideas, leading not only to some great gift ideas for that special creative someone, but also hallucinogenic exchanges about huffing, Bone Music, QWERTY and The Wizard of Oz.
Below are the links to all the gifts we mentioned. And again, NO — we’re not getting a damn cent!
Thai Herbal Inhaler
Sphere Tix
The Book We Wish We Had
1440.com
Astropad Rock Paper Pencil
Printomatic Full-Color Instant Print Digital Camera
Custom Viewfinder Reel
Qwerkywriter
Bone Music
Hosts Jeremy Baka and Marc Levy continue part two of their interview with David Gluckman, a forty-year drinks industry veteran who created memorable brands like Bailey's, Sheridan's, The Singleton, and Smirnoff Black.
David shares behind-the-scenes stories about product development, marketing missteps, the value of ownership, how committees can strangle ideas, and practical takes on AI and design tools. He emphasizes the single-minded creative approach—"go for one answer"—and warns against failing expensively.
While sipping that Baileys Irish Cream, Smirnoff Black, or Tanqueray Ten this holiday, remember: somebody had to invent those delightful drinks—and his name is David. Author of “That Sh** Will Never Sell,” David Gluckman shares amazing tales of imaginating, formulating, making and marketing of some of the world’s most recognized spirits brands during the Mad-Men era, including the “one” rule that, even today, he never breaks when presenting to clients.
They dig into product invention, when to trust instincts over research, the power of committing to one bold idea, and lessons from a 40‑year global career in making iconic beverages.
A child faced with imminent incineration, the menacing stare of a creepy old man and deranged laughter. Hollywood’s next thriller? Hardly. They’re political ads. In this Election Day special, Marc and Jeremy discuss and dissect some of the nation’s most unforgettable campaign ads.
The hosts analyze these ads without taking political sides, consider how ads become cultural contagions, and invite a political strategist for a follow-up episode to deepen the discussion.
In this Part 2 episode of Presentation Horror Stories, Marc and Jeremy host two mystery guests who dish about a major grocery store chain. Listen in as the guests share what it feels like to have 17 clients in a room using your agency pitch team as their very own human pinatas.
The brief arrived through a third party with no clear budget, competing regional stakeholders (17 people in the room), and a disconnect between the agency's digital focus and the client’s in-store priorities. Communication gaps, lack of a client champion, and an incumbent agency ultimately doomed the effort.
Takeaways are simple: be selective about pitches, confirm scope and stakeholders before you present, win relationships before the room, and don’t be afraid to re-level set when a pitch veers off course.
“If it scares you,” declared marketing guru Seth Godin, “it might be a good thing to try.” In this episode, Marc and Jeremy share some of the scariest ideas they've ever presented, including those that were killed on contact and others that cheated death to become legend.
They draw on industry data about risk-taking, debate how to present edgy ideas, and explain why simplicity, timing, and internal champions matter when trying to sell the unthinkable.
Listeners are invited to learn from these wins and flops and share their own scary creative stories.
Up to two-thirds of companies rely on earned media placements to drive business and awareness for their products, services and messaging.
Most of them do it wrong, resulting in wasted time, worthless creativity and squandered budgets.
On this week’s episode of Ugly, Irresponsible & Childish, earned-media expert Heidi Donato talks about the 25 years she spent honing the Art of the Media Pitch, resulting in headline-grabbing stories for everything from Coke to Colgate, Walmart to Weight Watchers, Rolls-Royce to Royal Caribbean and more. She'll discuss pitching strategies, story development, timing, and the evolving roles of AI, celebrities, and reporters.
Heidi shares real-world examples—from low-tech phones and Paralympic travel to veteran advocacy—about turning mundane briefs into meaningful coverage and the importance of bringing media planners in early.
In this episode, Jeremy and Mark welcome earned media expert Heidi Donato to discuss pitching strategies, story development, timing, and the evolving roles of AI, celebrities, and reporters. Heidi shares real-world examples—from low-tech phones and Paralympic travel to veteran advocacy—about turning mundane briefs into meaningful coverage and the importance of bringing media planners in early. Practical advice for agencies and PR pros on how to craft media-worthy stories and measure success.
Seven out of 10 employees feel guilty about taking time off, with 38% missing a major event in their child’s life because of work-related obligations (an additional 10% say they were even interrupted at a funeral).
The ugly Catch-22 is that employees also believe that a mental health day is no reason to miss work, with almost two-thirds claiming their boss would judge them for that.
When does your life or selfcare take precedence over work? Or does it? If there’s a line, how do we know when it’s crossed and what can we do about it without seeming selfish or weak?
In this week’s episode of Ugly, Irresponsible and Childish, Marc and Jeremy chat with Dr. Jackie Sasloff, a licensed therapist with three decades of helping people navigate the blurry line of work-life balance. They discuss the rise of guilt, anxiety, missed family moments, and why self-care is often neglected.
Dr. Sasloff offers practical guidance — validate feelings, check the facts, use DBT interpersonal skills like "turn the tables," brainstorm real solutions, clarify personal values, and communicate with supervisors to create sustainable boundaries.
Join us for Part II of Jeremy's & Marc's conversation with Rob Poetsch! Rob discuss Taco Bell’s transformation into a lifestyle brand, the role of risk in creative work, and how crisis management influenced campaign approvals.
They share behind-the-scenes stories — including the Taco Bell Hotel and Feed the Beat — explore agency-client tensions, and offer practical advice for building strong, effective partnerships.
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