Advertising in America

You say you want something different. You don't. You want something different that looks like something that already worked. You want risk with a guarantee attached. You want a breakthrough idea that a focus group approves. That's not different. That's a polite version of what you've always done, wearing a new shirt. In this episode of Advertising in America, Chris, Mick, and Ryan go after one of the most dangerous lies in marketing: that clients want to do something bold. The truth is, most ...

Your brand has a story. The question is whether it's true. Most businesses think they have a culture. They have a summer picnic. They have a mission statement on the wall. They have a boss who reads leadership books and then shows up late on Mondays. That's not culture. That's a fairy tale with fluorescent lighting. In this episode, Ryan Chute and the Torbay brothers sit down with Wizard of Ads partner Ray Seggern, author of the forthcoming book Story & Culture & Experience: A Field G...

What happens when you think your TV commercial says “premium brand,” but everyone watching hears “discount furniture warehouse”? In this no-BS episode, Ryan Chute teams up with Ad Wizards Mick Torbay and Chris Torbay to tackle one of advertising’s most expensive delusions: believing you can look like Budweiser on a budget better suited for Honest Al’s Used Cars. From Apple’s minimalist “I’m a Mac” spots to Restoration Hardware’s six-figure polish, the crew pulls apart why cheap production isn...

What happens when you pit human copywriters against AI? In this no-holds-barred episode, Ryan Chute referees as ad Wizards Mick Torbay and Chris Torbay duke it out over whether AI is the future of advertising—or just another way to make mediocre ads faster. From Budweiser frogs to Old Spice horses, they reveal why AI can only remix old ideas while humans invent the unforgettable. But they also admit: sometimes, "middlest" ads are all you need. The boys go toe-to-toe over perhaps the big...

Let’s get something straight, kid—there’s no such thing as a perfect media channel. If someone tells you otherwise, they’re either trying to sell you ad space or snake oil. In this episode of Advertising in America, Mick, Chris, and Ryan fire up the mics to answer the golden question: “Where should I spend my ad budget?” The answer? Not where you think. We slice through the fog of fear-based media selling, laugh at the myth of zero-waste targeting, and torch the idea that any medium is magic ...

Step aside, Professor— your marketing plan isn’t a TED Talk. In this episode of Advertising in America, we put the kibosh on one of the most persistent myths in business: that your ad should "educate the consumer." Spoiler alert: If your audience walks away from your ad knowing more about your product but still doesn’t want it, you’ve failed, sweetheart. Ryan, Mick, and Chris roll up their sleeves and take the scalpel to feature-heavy, fact-laden ads that bore instead of sell. You’ll he...

Let’s be honest—everybody loves to gripe about how expensive radio is… until they see what not advertising costs them. In this episode of Advertising in America, we’re throwing shade at sticker shock and calling out the tired trope that “radio is too expensive.” We break down the real question: expensive compared to what? Compared to TV? Radio’s a steal. Compared to billboards? Maybe. Compared to doing nothing and watching your competitors eat your lunch? Radio’s a downright bargain. Here’s t...

Let me tell you what really grinds my gears: businesses still asking, “How did you hear about us?” At first, it seems smart—track the ROI, and see what’s working. But let us be crystal clear: it’s not smart. It’s lazy, amateurish, and borderline rude. Episode Highlights: Big brands don’t ask—they already know what’s working.Customers give inaccurate answers that lead to bad data.It’s rude to shift focus from their problem to your marketing.Marketing works through multiple touchpoi...