Stay ConnectedIntroducing a research-first podcast that builds revenue, not condos.
Answer questions on the biggest marketing trends and news with discussions based in marketing, psychology and economics research. Along the way, learn about marketing accountability, category leadership, brand-building and much more.
Featuring a team of experienced marketers whose blueprints for success are marketing strategies actually proven to work.
Copyright: © Marketing Architects
Marketers only accurately predict the outcome of an A/B test 52% of the time. With today's viewers constantly multitasking, creative has seconds—not minutes—to make an impact. But many brands still rely on outdated approaches, leading to forgettable commercials.
In this episode, Elena, Angela, and Rob are joined by Chief Creative Officer Steve Babcock to discuss Marketing Architects' new report on TV creative effectiveness. They explore why strategy must come first, why pretesting is no longer optional, storytelling lessons from marketing effectiveness research, and how AI is enhancing (not replacing) human creativity.
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Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We’re breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.
In this episode, Elena and Rob explore how emotions outweigh logic in advertising effectiveness. They discuss research showing emotional responses are nearly twice as powerful as cognitive factors in driving purchase intent across nearly all product categories.
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CTV ad revenue is projected to reach $28 billion this year, but 39% of advertisers still cite transparency in ad placements as a major concern. Is Connected TV delivering on its promises or falling short?
This episode, Elena and Angela are joined by Chief Media Officer Catherine Walstad to discuss the state of CTV advertising. They explore the maturing optimism around streaming TV and share practical advice for navigating this complex but essential channel. Learn why CTV shouldn't be viewed as either brand or performance marketing, but as a powerful complement to linear TV.
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Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We’re breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.
In this episode, Elena and Rob explore how humor in advertising drives stronger brand recall and sales despite its 37% decline over the past two decades. They reveal why creating memorable, relatable comedy leads to measurable business results.
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Only 90% of marketers see an ROI boost when they add brand building to performance marketing. Yet American marketers still struggle to prioritize effectiveness over efficiency, with many optimizing for lower costs rather than long-term business growth.
This week, Elena and Rob are joined by Lexi Wolf, Head of Advisory at WARC North America, to explore how marketing effectiveness is gaining momentum in the U.S. Lexi breaks down key findings from WARC's groundbreaking "Multiplier Effect" research, revealing why brand and performance marketing aren't opposing forces but rather complementary strategies that multiply each other's impact. Plus, learn how top marketers create creative platforms that drive both long-term equity and immediate sales.
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Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We’re breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.
In this episode, Elena and Rob uncover what design elements actually drive direct mail success. They explore research showing that opening and keeping mail require different strategies, with personalization playing a critical role in campaign effectiveness.
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AI video tools have created lifelike Coca-Cola trucks, festive scenes, and even Angela's face in today's episode. These jaw-dropping demonstrations highlight how rapidly AI video has evolved and the debate this technology is creating.
This week, Elena and Rob are joined by Seth Woodall, Director of AI Visual Arts at Misfits & Machines and creator of the viral "Pepperoni Hug Spot" commercial. Together, they explore the state of AI video creation, misconceptions about the technology, and what's next for marketers looking to incorporate these tools. Plus, discover why AI-powered creative techniques will become standard production methods and indistinguishable from traditionally created work.
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Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We're breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.
In this episode, Elena and Rob explore how the Dirichlet model challenges common beliefs about brand loyalty. They reveal why most consumers aren't deeply loyal to specific brands and why reaching new customers matters more than increasing loyalty.
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In Peter Field's article "Challenger Thinking is How Brands Drive Growth," he states that challenger brands aren't born just from unique founders or lucky circumstances. Challenger thinking is actually how brands grow.
This week, Elena and Angela are joined by Marketing Architects founder Chuck Hengel to talk about marketing like a challenger brand. Chuck shares stories from creating and marketing HurryCane (the first walking cane to stand on its own) and Stuffies (a children's toy with hidden pockets), revealing key insights about broad audience targeting, distinctive brand assets, and why every department contributes to marketing success.
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Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We’re breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.
In this episode, Elena and Rob explore why the brand versus performance debate misses the point. They discover that integrating both approaches creates a powerful multiplier effect that can boost revenue ROI by up to 90%.
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