MOCK, the podcast

Join Don and Cuyler for Episode 179 as they dig into the strange state of political advertising, and what happens when AI joins the campaign trail. They start with why political ads shifted from "vote for me" to "don't vote for them," and why attacking a competitor rarely works. Along the way they look at Miller Lite, the Pepsi Challenge and why Coke never brings up Pepsi, then compare two very different ad strategies in Georgia, including an AI-generated ad that shows how convincing synthetic video has become.From there, they ask whether political ads could finally push lawmakers to regulate AI, why customers of Adobe and Sony are rebelling against subscription-everything, and what AI means for Hollywood and the creative arts. They don't fully agree on how worried to be, but it's a candid, sometimes funny look at advertising, technology and trust. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:32) - Brand Ads vs. Attack Ads in Politics(00:03:46) - Why Putting Down Competitors Backfires(00:05:43) - Georgia's Senate Race and AI in Campaign Ads(00:10:38) - AI Risks, Subscriptions and the Adobe Backlash(00:18:12) - Political Ads, AI Regulation and Agency Work(00:21:48) - AI, Entertainment and the Arts(00:27:05) - Is AI Making Us Dumber? and Sign-Off(00:32:59) - Outro

Join Don and Cuyler as they explore the surprising connections between music and branding—and why the best creative work often comes from breaking the rules. Starting with Neil Peart, Rush, and Rick Rubin, they dig into how constraints can sharpen creativity, why the strongest songs and brand systems don’t always come together in a straight line, and how even difficult feedback can lead to award-winning work. Along the way, they share stories about Pearl Jam, Elton John, The Beatles, Bohemian Rhapsody, System of a Down, Queens of the Stone Age, and more. It’s a lively conversation about originality, authenticity, and the unexpected ways great music can teach us to build better brands. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:47) - The Legacy of Neil Peart and Rush(00:03:45) - The Art of Songwriting and Design(00:06:45) - Building a Brand from Scratch(00:09:48) - Creativity in Constraints(00:12:49) - The Role of Producers in Music(00:15:44) - Exploring the Creative Process(00:18:55) - The Influence of Music on Design(00:21:49) - Closing Thoughts on Music and Creativity(00:25:18) - Outro

Join Don and Cuyler as they unpack a strange truth about branding: some companies don't die, they mutate. They trace the weird afterlife of AOL, Yahoo, MySpace, Alexa, Crocs, JC Penney, and Chuck E. Cheese, asking what actually keeps a brand alive long after it should have disappeared. It's a lively conversation about nostalgia, brand relevance, and the generational logic behind the marketplace's strangest holdouts. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:51) - AOL and the Early Internet(00:04:44) - MySpace and Social Media(00:08:38) - Alexa and Obsolete Tech(00:09:46) - Crocs and Comeback Brands(00:11:52) - Napster’s Reinvention(00:12:55) - Why JCPenney Survives(00:16:33) - Chuck E. Cheese, Pizza, and Beer(00:22:51) - Closing Thoughts(00:23:12) - Outro

Join Don and Cuyler as they trade takes on Iron Maiden's 50th anniversary tour, then follow that thread into a much bigger story: what actually makes a comeback work. They trace the parallels between legacy acts and legacy brands, comparing revivals from Old Spice, Hostess Twinkies, BlackBerry, Apple, Burger King, and Pizza Hut. It's a lively conversation about nostalgia marketing, brand equity, and knowing when a brand needs real reinvention versus when it just needs to remember what made people love it in the first place. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:30) - Podcast Journey(00:01:32) - Iron Maiden Experience and Brand Comebacks(00:03:30) - Old Spice: From Old to Cool(00:06:27) - Hostess and the Twinkie Revival(00:09:30) - Fast Food Brands and Nostalgia(00:12:28) - Tech Brands: Apple and Blackberry's Journey(00:19:36) - Conclusion: Reinvention and Brand Longevity(00:22:42) - Outro

Join Don and Cuyler as they trade takes on Instagram’s new word mark, then follow that thread into a much bigger story: what makes a rebrand feel modern without erasing the character people already love. They trace the redesign choices, brand strategy, and audience reactions behind Instagram’s update — and compare it with rebrands from Gap, Taco Bell, Ford, Coca-Cola, American Airlines, and the Big Ten. It’s a lively conversation about logo design, brand equity, and why some visual changes quietly become the new normal while others trigger an instant backlash. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:37) - Nickname Origins(00:03:33) - Tributes to Iconic Voices(00:06:43) - Instagram's Logo Evolution(00:09:32) - The Impact of Minimalism in Branding(00:12:36) - The Future of Instagram's Branding(00:16:49) - The Evolution of Logos and Branding(00:19:34) - Controversial Advertising and Public Backlash(00:22:26) - Cultural Shifts in Advertising and Design(00:25:43) - The Challenges of Sports Branding(00:29:34) - Consumer Confusion in Packaging Design(00:32:19) - Outro

Join Rob and Don as they trade takes on the summer's big movie, then follow that thread into a much bigger story: a scrapped parking-deck idea that quietly turned into a real Atlanta business. They trace the years of redesigns, dead ends, and hard conversations it took to get there — and drop a few hints about what it means for what's next at MOCK. It's a lively conversation about entrepreneurship, real estate strategy, and how a ridiculous idea earns its way into becoming a legitimate company. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:35) - The Odyssey Review(00:11:27) - A Farewell to Podcasting(00:13:21) - The Rangeworks Origin Story(00:16:05) - Rethinking the Urban Driving Range(00:18:49) - Why Rangeworks Is Different(00:21:32) - Launch Plans and What’s Next(00:24:34) - A Fond Farewell(00:26:02) - Outro

Join Rob and Don as they unpack a deceptively simple question: what is an advertising agency? After a quick World Cup catch-up, they explore how agencies have evolved from full-service creative partners into a fragmented landscape of specialists, independent shops, and tailored client teams. It’s a lively conversation about technology, media, measurement, the changing needs of smaller businesses, and how finding the right agency relationship can make better work possible. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:40) - World Cup Recap(00:02:21) - England's Semifinal Collapse(00:06:12) - Expanding the World Cup(00:08:50) - MLS's Marketing Challenge(00:11:40) - What Is an Advertising Agency?(00:12:51) - Why Agency Services Fragmented(00:14:03) - Supporting Smaller Marketing Teams(00:16:13) - Media, Metrics and Accountability(00:19:05) - How 2008 Reshaped Agencies(00:20:24) - Building the Right Client Team(00:21:49) - What to Expect From an Agency(00:23:07) - Outro

Join Rob and Don as they discuss World Cup drama, creative production, and the art of making memorable photo and video shoots. From food styling and pet shoots to pool campaigns, dodgeball spots, and alien invasion miniatures, they show how teamwork, specialization, and a great on-set vibe turn wild ideas into standout work. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:43) - World Cup Reflections(00:05:41) - The Art of Food Photography(00:10:47) - Memorable Photo Shoots and Experiences(00:20:42) - The Evolution of Photography and Technology(00:23:50) - Outro

Join Rob and Don as they explore the surprising power of outdoor advertising and the creative ways brands turn billboards into unforgettable moments. From weather-reactive campaigns to clever long-running mascots, they break down how smart storytelling, humor, and bold ideas help brands stand out in a noisy world. It’s a lively conversation about why outdoor ads still work, what makes them memorable, and how great marketing can turn even a simple board into a cultural talking point. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:38) - Rush Discussion(00:03:44) - The State of Outdoor Advertising(00:06:38) - Digital Billboards and Creative Campaigns(00:09:36) - Chick-fil-A's Iconic Outdoor Campaigns(00:12:38) - The Role of Traditional Advertising Today(00:16:37) - Conclusion and Where to Find Us(00:17:54) - Outro

Join Rob and Don as they unpack the wild world of FIFA brand policing, where stadium logos disappear, jerseys get censored, and sponsors fight for every inch of attention. With sharp humor and insight, they explore the strange lengths brands go to protect their turf and what it reveals about marketing, power, and the beautiful game. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:56) - The World Cup: A Global Unifier(00:03:55) - The Stars of the World Cup(00:07:00) - FIFA's Advertising Regulations(00:09:58) - Experiencing the World Cup Live(00:12:55) - The Impact of Branding and Sponsorships(00:16:00) - Hydration Breaks and Their Implications(00:18:51) - The Future of the World Cup and USA's Prospects(00:21:03) - Outro