Snap Decisions

A lot goes into how a city is perceived by residents and visitors. Going well beyond shaping perceptions, Mural Arts Philadelphia has been inspiring change in people and places all over the city for more than 40 years. As the nation’s largest public art program, Mural Arts and its dynamic leader, Jane Golden, has empowered communities and earned Philly the distinction of “the Mural Capital of the World.” Brian and John talk to Jane about her passion for the way public murals can revitalize neighborhoods, foster community pride, and influence social change.Background content:About Mural Arts: https://www.muralarts.org/Jane Golden Ted Talk: Transforming a city, one mural at a time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rq4gOQAj_EPreserving murals for future generations: https://muralarts.org/stories/a-bold-move-to-preserve-philadelphias-public-art-for-generations/Shelly Palmer: If You Can’t Tell the Difference, There is No Difference. https://shellypalmer.com/2024/12/if-you-tell-the-difference-there-is-no-difference/?mc_cid=caa7672d1d&mc_eid=1c38b9576c

The Big Game (aka The Super Bowl) keeps getting bigger. As brands try to find new ways to break through, Eric Segal, accomplished ad guy with plenty of Super Bowl advertising cred, sees a marketing world that requires a fresh method for creating big brand ideas. He talks about what marketers are looking for and an agile new approach that veers away from the big ad agency models of the past.John and Brian talk about Starbuck’s refreshed positioning, debate the proper ways to customize coffee, and unabashedly support their hometown underdogs, The Philadelphia Eagles. Go birds!Key topics and chapter markers:(00:52): What’s brewing at Starbucks. And an argument(07:29): Introducing advertising pro Eric Segal, X&O(11:00): The Super Bowl as a cultural opportunity (17:12): Crashing the Super Bowl with user generated content(22:02): Starting a new model for big brand ideas(27:47): A completely different work: a thousand different things(32:22): The role of specialists(42:22): Who’s holding the brand together?(46:11): Sell me. But entertain me.(48:29): Building a Super Bowl ad: how long should it take?(55:04): Kicking the Giants while they’re downBackground content: https://heyxo.co/https://www.adweek.com/agencies/build-teams-not-departments/https://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/starbucks-chief-brand-officer-tressie-lieberman-super-bowl-marketing-approach/2601161https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/crash-the-super-bowl-creators-doritos-evolution-marketing/

When we think of branding, we usually go right to what we see. But listen up - what we hear from a brand can be just as important as any other element in its identity. Joel Beckerman is the founder of Made Music Studio, which has created sonic identities and campaign elements for top brands, like Corona, Burger King, HBO, AT&T, and Panera. Joel joins Brian and John to chime in on the power of sonic branding. Hear how Joel got started, the impact of sound stickiness, and the time his music replaced a John Williams score (yes, that John Williams). Brian and John also share some interesting holiday shopping insights from a recent client project.Key topics & chapter markers (00:45): Diving into holiday shopping behaviors(08:43): Introducing Joel Beckerman(16:04): Time and resources to create sonic logos(21:00): Creating an in-store sonic experience(27:43): Building sonic branding for Corona and Burger King(32:07): Developing new sound for an iconic sound (HBO)(33:29): Evolving music by the great John Williams(45:18): Measuring the impact of soundBackground contentMade Music StudiosCoronaBurger KingHBOAT&TSuper Bowl LII2025 Essential Retail Insights Guide - AnthologyAIIs Your Brand on Mute? - Fast CompanyThe Need to be Heard - Forbes

We often talk about the wonderfully wacky world of TV and media. Right in the middle of it all is Jinx Joglekar, who is responsible for acquiring customers for not just one but TWO TV brands: streaming subscribers for Sling TV and traditional pay TV subscribers for Dish Network. (Yes, TV providers call us all “subs.”) Leading off, John and Brian share good barroom trivia about common product names that are/were actually trademarked brands. Note: this episode was recorded shortly before DirecTV announced long-anticipated plans to purchase Dish Network/Sling.Key topics & chapter markers (00:25): The demise of the Tupperware brand(02:13): Brands that have become generics(08:48): Meet Jinx Joglekar(10:51): Finding the right targets, the right media, and the right offering(15:17): Managing churn and positioning in the era of cord-cutting and switching(21:50): Rewarding customers for watching TV(30:08): Marketing TV is fun!(33:08): Jinx has a patent. No, TWO patents(37:34): Leadership lessons for large teams(39:49): From physics and music to marketing: a career spent saying “yes”Background contentTupperware going bankrupt - Fast CompanyWTF is a mimeograph machine? - How Stuff WorksDirectTV merging with Dish Network - VarietySling TV’s recent campaign - YouTubeConnect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

Proving brands don’t need to spend big on ad agencies, REI’s in-house creative team is delivering high-impact marketing campaigns while showcasing the brand’s true purpose. Internal creative director Jonathan Springer joins us to share how the REI team recently launched its Opt Outside campaign. Anchored by a smart, beautiful commercial – shot on actual film AND featuring music by our hometown Philly band, Dr. Dog – Opt Outside creates a brand platform across media channels for REI. Hear Springer talk about the craft of communications, working on a brand with purpose, and the differences between in-house teams and ad agencies. (And no, the birds chirping in the background aren’t sound effects; Springer was simply letting the great outdoors join our session.)Key topics & chapter markers (00:52): Snap Decisions Lightning Round: Which brand does it better?(03:46): Introducing Jonathan Springer, REI creative director(06:02): REI’s Opt Outside campaign(08:39): Dr. Dog asks: Where does all the time go?(10:01): How the campaign reflects the brand purpose(14:18): Managing an in-house creative team/ Internal vs. agency resources(24:26): Finding and guiding creative talent(29:40): Measuring brand performance(31:29): Shooting on film!Background contentREI Co-op Opt Outside - YouTube Connect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

All aboard for some harrowing tales from the early days of Covid. Gordon Ho, a marketing whiz and crisis communication pro, shares stories of critical decisions made during a time of utter crisis. When the Diamond Princess cruise ship was stuck in Yokohoma Japan during one of the earliest outbreaks of COVID 19, thousands of passengers and crew were quarantined and information changed hourly. We start the voyage with some air travel, covering Boeing recent door-busting crisis. But don’t worry, John and Brian keep things light, covering Gordon’s career highlights, like scouting out a chocolate program and getting a generation of kids hooked on disappearing Disney classics. Brian seeks an oracle for a future Hopelessly Unattainable Guest.Key topics & chapter markers (00:27): Reviewing Boeing’s current crisis(03:12): Snap Decision: Did Boeing handle it OK…and how soon is too soon?(06:32): Lightning Round: which corporate PR crisis was a better nightmare scenario?(09:06): Meet Gordon Ho(16:44): Terror at sea: early Covid strikes the Diamond Princess cruise ship(39:42): Before Covid…the greatest job in the world(47:28): Growing a market through scarcity at Disney(51:49): Dear Hopelessly Unattainable GuestBackground contentWhat's going on with Boeing planes? - MashableChronology of COVID-19 Cases on the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship and Ethical Considerations: A Report From Japan - National Library of Medicine27 Days in Tokyo Bay - Wired Jan Swartz: Steering Princess Cruises Through the COVID-19 Crisis - Harvard Business Review (for purchase) www.xpertainment.com - Gordon Ho's websiteConnect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

Welcome to the show, Jay Baer! The CX expert drops in on the show to talk about his latest book, The Time to Win. He also gives his riffs on AI, his process for building a book and collecting all those great stories and examples. That and more from a leading speaker on the marketing circuit and also one of the country’s top tequila influencers. Brian gets John’s reaction to the recent Wendy’s dynamic pricing news. John’s shoots for Mars with his Hopelessly Unattainable Guest.Key topics & chapter markers (01:04): Oh, Wendy’s(09:11): Jay Baer joins the show(20:05): Responding quickly…but not too quickly(27:16): Being fast doesn’t always mean being free(37:36): How AI will impact customer experiences(44:24): Chasing tequila (51:45): Hopefully Unattainable Rocket shipsBackground contentSurge Pricing is Coming to More Menus Near You - Wall Street Journal Wendy’s planning Uber-style ‘surge pricing’ where burger prices fluctuate based on demand - NY Post No, Wendy’s Says It Isn’t Planning to Introduce Surge Pricing - NPR Verizon’s new CX leader wants to quash customer pain points - Fierce WirelessJayBaer.comThe Time to WinThe Time to Win - Amazon Talk Triggers - Amazon Tequila Jay BaerTequila Jay Baer - InstagramConnect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

Fresh off her agency’s four Super Bowl commercials, Goodby Silverstein & Partners Chief Creative Officer Margaret Johnson joins the show and discusses the craziness of putting together a Big Game ad and her experience building creative for the biggest audiences. She also talks about integrating digital at a leading agency and provides her perspective on the impact of AI on her work. Also, John gives his snap decision on whether there’s a backlash against technology. Brian takes a swing at another Hopelessly Unattainable Guest.Key topics & chapter markers (00:37) - SNAP DECISION: Waymo car fire a sign of tech backlash?(04:52) - Welcome, Margaret!(23:26) - Navigating an ad agency through digital transformation(32:23) - Daughters of the Evolution(44:25) - Dear Hopelessly Unattainable GuestBackground contentHow Waymo became a symbol of everything people hate about AI - Fast CompanyTesla worker killed in fiery crash may be first ‘Full Self-Driving’ fatality - Washington PostGoodby Silverstein & PartnersSee Margaret speak at SXSWMost liked Super Bowl ads 2024 - Ad AgeUSA Today Ad Meter - USA TodayLessons in Herstory - Daughters of the EvolutionFire & Ice Super Bowl ad (2018) - moviemaniacsDE/YouTubeConnect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

It’s the day after the Super Bowl, so there’s no better time for Monday morning quarterbacking. Brian and John share some fun facts surrounding America’s biggest viewing party and, of course, make their own snap decisions about winners and losers of the ad game. Hear about some of the surprising financial implications of Super Bowls throughout the years. Plus, Brian and John hand out awards and admonishments with their take on this year’s commercials.Key topics & chapter markers (00:42) Big money, in and around the game(03:37) Super Bowl ad costs, now and then(06:26) Beyond the air time: what brands spend to create their ads(10:12) Releasing ads before the game…a love/hate story(11:55) Our first ever Super Bowl advertising awardsConnect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

Ellen Stone, EVP of Consumer Engagement & Brand for Bravo, Oxygen, USA, SYFY, E!, and Universal Kids, joins the guys to talk about marketing programming across today’s fractured TV viewing experiences. Ellen talks about the collective effort at NBCU to build quality content and connect it to audiences where and how they engage. Hear about Bravocon, Andy Cohen, Peacock and so much more. Also, don’t miss John jumping out of the suite shirtless with his Hopelessly Unattainable plea. Key topics & chapter markers (00:32) Lightening Round(03:42) TV spend behaviors(06:59) The TV eco-system is really complicated(09:17) Welcome Ellen Stone!(10:46) Understanding your audience(15:37) Leveraging social conversation and engagement(23:58) Building and structuring a team (26:10) Expanding the brand in real life: BravoCon(28:13) An advocate in Andy Cohen(31:21) Secret sauce: Getting awareness across NBCU channels(34:47) Buying awareness outside NBCU channels(37:45) Reinvigorating older shows on new platforms(43:53) A bold, smart decision: Rebranding Oxygen Network to True Crime(49:00) Dear Hopelessly Unattainable GuestBackground contentTiVo Video Trends Report - TiVo.com40% of consumers confused about where to find content they want to watch - StreamTVInsider.comLee Hunt’s CMO IntelligenceBravocon - Bravotv.comThe Most Shocking Revelations About ‘Scandoval’ From the Vanderpump Rules Season 10 Finale - TimeNBCUniversal’s ‘secret sauce:’ How its Symphony campaigns boost ‘This Is Us’ and other projects - The Los Angeles TimesOxygen Officially Rebranding as Crime-Focused Network - Hollywood ReporterConnect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

Digital and analog worlds collide! Again! Hear more great behind-the-scences stories from Cue Card Wally in Part 2, including commercials with Ryan Reynolds, writing jokes for Norm MacDonald and great interactions from the likes of Tom Cruise and Jon Hamm. Also learn more about how Wally built a multi-faceted cue card empire, for companies and direct to consumers. Don’t miss how Brian goes BIG for his Hopelessly Unattainable Guest.Key topics & chapter markers (00:21) Making guests comfortable(02:13) Commercial with Ryan Reynolds(05:05) A cue card empire(07:14) Wally’s side hustle(11:49) Being on camera(16:53) Unpleasant guests(17:57) Wally’s favorite SNL cast era(19:03) Starting as a writer/Wally’s shot at sketch writing(25:26) Life is like a box of Hopelessly Unattainable GuestsBackground contentCue Cards by WallyConnect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

Digital and analog worlds collide! John and Brian discuss a new product from Humane called the AI Pin and consider the next generation of personal devices. Then Cue Card Wally, from Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Seth Meyers, shares how he uses the ultimate low-def tech to power late night TV…and how he's worked with the SNL cast and hosts, including Alec Baldwin, Norm MacDonald Emma Stone, Adam Driver and others. Key topics & chapter markers (00:15) Amazing juxtaposition(01:02) The AI Humane Pin(06:46) The end of phones and screens? (09:49) John and Brian get on their marketing high horses(12:21) Live from New York…it's Cue Card Wally!(16:05) SNL: The Live Factor(22:39) Last minute changes(25:55) Mistake-free for 33 years. Almost.(29:29) “You wanna work for late night tv????”(32:03) Helping the hosts: Adam Driver, Emma Stone and othersBackground content“This is the Humane Ai Pin” - Humane, YouTube "And this is why the Humane Ai Pin sucks" - The Friday Checkout, YouTube“Screens are good, actually” - The Verge “Humane’s Ai Pin is a $700 Smartphone Alternative You Wear All Day” - Wired “Just because you can design an AI wearable doesn’t mean you should” - Fast CompanyCue Cards by Wally"Creating Saturday Night Live: Cue Cards" - SNL, YouTube“Will Forte told Charles Barkley to Hit Cue Card Wally” - Late Night with Seth Meyers, YouTube“Backstage at 'Saturday Night Live' w/ Cindy Crawford (1994) | You Had To Be There” - MTV Vault, YouTube "A career with ‘Saturday Night Live’ was in the cue cards" - LA TimesConnect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

Friend of the show, Tom Carusona, CMO of Insomnia Cookies, drops by for a full episode with the guys. The trio offer snap decisions on the state of influencer marketing. Tom talks about the key ingredients of making Insomnia a cult brand and shares stories about brand essence, pajama parties and other tasty marketing programs. John’s asks an unattainable Jerk to be a guest.Key topics & chapter markers (00:00) Too many marketers/Intro(01:30) Influencer marketing — more than just Kardashians(07:44) Stuck in the 70s, wishing for watercooler conversations (12:17) Cultivating a cult brand(21:54) Owning the night(26:12) Covid and The Cookie Lab(29:54) Positioning products for brand authenticity(33:15) Do cookies translate in Canada and the UK?(37:06) Warm cookies and cold pucks(39:54) Aramark: a bigger brand with bigger implications(43:40) Getting into marketing(47:14) Dear Hopelessly Unattainable GuestBackground Content"The State of Influencer Marketing 2023" - Influencer Marketing Hub"The Case for and against Micro-influencers" - Digiday "Hubspot State of Marketing 2023" - Hubspot"Insomnia Cookies teams with Justin Jefferson for special launch" -Bake Magazine"The secret ingredient to Mets '19 turnaround" - MLB.comConnect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

As the holiday season is in full swing, the guys talk about the best and, gulp, worst holiday gifts they ever received. John goes all-in on retail, featuring a new consistent inconsistency with Barnes & Noble stores as his Snap Decision. He also details many tricks stores use to drive spending as well as sensory tactics that have surprising results. Brian brings back the Lightning Round for John and hopefully wasn’t Waiting for Tonight for his Hopelessly Unattainable Guest.Key topics & chapter markers (00:23) Best Christmas gifts ever….(01:59) …and worst Christmas gifts ever(03:01) Barnes & Noble goes back to basics. One store design at a time(08:05) A holiday gift: retail tricks and how to avoid them(15:06) Sell with smell?(21:00) Snap Decisions Lightning Round — all-judgement zone(24:36) Hopelessly Unattainable: Bri shoots high, goes LoBackground Content"B&N actually expanding and letting location dictate what gets stocked" - NPR "B&N walk away from consistency in retail design" - NY Times "Neuromarketing Secrets that Trick us into Spending More" - MelissaHughes.rocks "17 Clever Ways Stores Deceive You Into Spending More Money" - BestLife "Anecdotes of Aromatic Acclaim: How Scent Marketing Can Enhance Your Bottom Line" - The Branded Agency "Elevating the Customer Experience: The Impact of Sensory Marketing" - Mood Media "How Our Ambient Food Aromas Increase Food Sales" - Airscent.com"Is White Jersey Home or Away?" - Metroleague.org Connect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

NBC broadcaster and Paralympic legend Chris Waddell talks to the guys about managing what life throws at us. Chris shares the story of skiing competitively after his accident, his inspiring climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro and continuing to inspire with his foundation, One Revolution. Also, Brian and John talk about brands succeeding in accessibility. John takes flight with this episode’s Hopelessly Unattainable Guest.Key topics & chapter markers (00:00) What do you want to be when you grow up????(02:14) Snap Decision – John: Which brands and features get accessible design right?(07:10) Introducing Chris Waddell(09:20) Meeting the Dalai Lama(11:30) Becoming one of the world’s best-ever disabled skiers(23:06) Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Slowly.(31:40) Fear as the competitor(39:56) Staying competitive after retiring(50:24) Liftoff with John’s Dear Hopelessly Unattainable GuestBackground Content “Evel Knievel All Jumps Compilation” - YouTube “Walmart will dim store light weekly for those with sensory disabilities” - USA Today “How GM is moving its autos into an accessible and inclusive future” - Popular Science “ONE REVOLUTION -Movie Trailer” - YouTube “One Revolution” - Amazon Prime Video One Revolution Foundation - Chris’ foundation “Julie Foudy” - Chris Waddell Living It podcast “Bill Walton” Chris Waddell Living It podcast Learn more about Chris Waddell at https://chriswaddellinc.com/.Connect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

Along with chirping about baby back ribs and untoasted English Muffins, the guys are back in action discussing the current state and impact of Direct-to-Consumer brands. John fires off a new lightning round segment and Brian’s shoots for rarified air with his Hopelessly Unattainable Guest.Key topics & chapter markers (00:00) It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Chili’s(01:11) Snap Decision – Brian: DTC zombie brands(04:11) John’s response for reviving old brands(07:31) “Going viral”(09:19) John introduces “Snap Decisions: Lightning Round, Extremely Ill-Informed Edition”(12:45) Come fly with Brian’s Dear Hopelessly Unattainable GuestBackground content“Meet the zombie brands: Why Blue Apron, Allbirds, and others are still alive, only different” - Fast Company“Bringing bankrupt brands back from the dead is big business” - The Hustle“Our blades Are f***ing great” - Dollar Shave Club“The sisterhood of the Stanley tumbler” - New York Times“Baby Back Ribs jingle featuring Boyz II Men” - Chili'sBulls kills the Sixers and Brian’s dreams - Basketball ReferenceConnect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

Brian and John welcome their first guest, Bill Bergofin, Head of Marketing & Creative at the YES Network. Bill talks to the guys about the big moves and decisions from his sports marketing career. “Ties and no playoffs” aside, Bill also shares the story behind the epic Ted Lasso campaign at NBC Sports. The guys also discuss the evolving sports viewing experience landscape.Key topics & chapter markers (00:00) Granola status check(01:55) Snap Decision – John: Sports Altcasts(07:00) Welcome, Bill Bergofin!(11:39) Pivotal career moments(15:59) Launching the Premier League and a new sports day part(19:23) The last piece of the pie: Ted Lasso(31:36) Ted Lasso has legs(38:09) Mike Tyson and John Kruk: What could go wrong?(41:10) Dear Hopelessly Unattainable Guest (John’s version)Connect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/

Don’t mind us…we’re just breaking new ground by starting a podcast! In our first rodeo, we scratch our heads about some recent marketing decisions. Like, why did Johnson & Johnson drop the cursive from its logo and add a thing called Kenvue? Also, a short rant about Shrinkflation, Skimpflation, and BSflation (or, what granola, beer and summer cocktails have in common). Finally, we’re shooting for the moon with a “Dear Hopelessly Unattainable Guest.” Check us out!Key topics & chapter markers (00:00) What are we doing here????(02:13) Snap Decision – Brian: Johnson & Johnson brand updates(08:35) Snap Decision – John: Skimpflation(17:20) Dear Hopelessly Unattainable Guest: Tim Cook(20:56) Next episode spoiler alert – the biological father of Ted LassoConnect with Brian and John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarks13/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-young/