Halfway through 2026 and the marketing world has already delivered a synthetic skin car that sunburns on camera, a dictator in a hoodie generating millions of free impressions, and kids' juice brands quietly adding vodka to the lineup. Matthew and Chris break down exactly what made a campaign a genius move versus a brand crisis waiting to happen, and why the difference usually comes down to one decision made under pressure.

This episode covers the real content challenges brands are navigating right now: how far is too far when nostalgia brands chase relevance, what happens when a viral moment you never planned for lands on your doorstep, and why marketers keep bringing in engineers, historians, and other outside talent to pull off ideas that actually break through.

You will also get a mid-year check on the trillion dollar global ad spend milestone, why retail media from Amazon to Walmart is becoming as important as Google and Meta, the shift from SEO to generative engine optimization, and which marketing executives already lost their jobs over decisions made in the first half of the year.

Matthew and Chris close out with predictions for the rest of 2026, covering where TikTok commerce is headed and why AI detection tools might change how audiences trust everything they see online.

If you work in marketing, advertising, or content, this is the mid year update you actually need. Drop your own picks for the best and worst campaigns of 2026 in the comments, and hit subscribe so you never miss a weekly breakdown.

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Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

Your favorite Marketing specialists dive into the biggest stories shaking up the marketing world: Polymarket faces a lawsuit over deceptive influencer tactics, with fake “winning” bet videos and undisclosed sponsorships under heavy scrutiny. Influencer marketing’s power keeps growing—now, more than one in four Americans discover products via influencers, outpacing even TV and radio, especially among Gen Z. Plus, Ferrari’s CMO exits after a controversial EV rollout, Airbnb drops a World Cup ad that sells “connection” instead of couches, and viral influencer IShowSpeed finds himself at the center of major brand collaborations. Stay tuned for real talk, laughs, and wrong answers only—this is a marketing show you won’t want to miss!

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Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

We break down down OpenAI’s debut at Cannes Lions and its bold ambitions to redefine the advertising business. We examine how the “time and materials” agency model is declared dead, dig into the ongoing saga of advertising transparency, and spotlight Sesame Street’s Count going undercover in an anti-scam campaign. Plus, we explore the creative genius behind logo “cover ups” at the upcoming FIFA World Cup and pay tribute to the legendary Clive Davis’s lasting impact on music marketing. As always, the show wraps with lightning-round mischief and marketing lessons you won’t want to miss.

📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU

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Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

Get ready to be the smartest marketer in the room. In today’s episode, Matthew and Chris welcome special guest Jacob Hiler—a professor at Ohio University and pioneer of the Influencer 101 course—and his students’ BS Meters were off the charts!

First, we explore DoorDash’s transformation into a global advertising powerhouse, and what it means for small businesses and the future of retail media. Next, we break down the massive $5.4 billion Coca-Cola ad agency review, examining how data science and AI are now at the heart of legacy brand decisions. We also follow up on Starbucks Korea’s PR disaster, highlighting how a single marketing blunder can trigger worldwide fallout and why human oversight matters more than ever in the age of AI.

Finally, Dr. Hiler gives us an inside look at his innovative course on influencer marketing—what students are learning, why authenticity trumps polish, and how the next wave of marketers are being trained to bridge the gap between brands and audiences. Stay with us for all of that, a few laughs, and this week’s game of Wrong Answers Only. Whether you’re a marketing veteran or just starting out, you’re 10 minutes closer to GOAT status.

📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU

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Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

Matthew and Chris dive into the high-stakes marketing juggernaut behind the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Hear why even the world's most famous game franchise needs a massive push—and what that means for marketers everywhere. Then, the duo unpacks the FTC's latest crackdown on deceptive AI advertising practices, explores how "people like me" marketing is driving real cultural moments, and shares a cautionary tale of marketing gone wrong with Starbucks Korea's ill-timed campaign. Finally, step into a galaxy far, far away to discover how Disney made Star Wars billboards literally levitate over Madrid, and join in for a round of "Wrong Answers Only." All that and more, delivered with the usual blend of insight and irreverence.

📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU

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Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

We’re serving you up a rapid-fire rundown of the hottest industry headlines, from Google’s game-changing AI ad formats to the rise of locally driven marketing in India. Dive into the seismic shift toward agentic advertising, where AI is poised to take the wheel on campaign creation and optimization. Plus, get inspired (and entertained) by creative brand storytelling—from a Waitrose ad that’s out of this world, to a Domino’s campaign putting a fresh spin on wedding traditions in Santorini. Whether you’re here to clock your continuing education credits or just want a hearty chortle, this episode delivers maximum insight with a side of mischief.

📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU

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Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

This week, Matthew and Chris tackle Tesla’s latest legal tangle over its “autopilot” claims, shine a spotlight on tobacco companies’ sneaky tactics to lure young users with kid-friendly nicotine pouches, and celebrate the rise of influencer marketing as a legit college course. Plus, stick around as they debut their own hilarious take on fake ads—from “Blue Sky Meth” to the relentless Acme Corporation—and explore what university courses they’d create for the next generation of marketing pros. Whether you’re an artful marketer, a curious creator, or just in for the mischief, this episode promises sharp insights and a wee bit o’ giggles.

📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU

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Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net

Welcome back, marketers, influencers, and mischief-makers! In this week’s episode of "Marketing, Machines & Mischief," Matthew and Chris break down the biggest headlines shaking up the world of advertising. Meta is set to overtake Google in global ad revenue for the first time ever—find out what this milestone really means for brands and marketers. Then, we hit the East Coast, where Virginia Beach is staking $1 million on tourism campaigns to quell concerns after recent violence, raising tough questions about ethics in messaging.

Plus, we dive into forced market regress in Iran, where marketers are ditching social media in favor of good old SMS amid internet blackouts. It’s not all news: Chris spotlights Airwallex’s bold, cinematic campaign that flips fintech branding on its head, while Matthew unpacks Runway’s mind-bending AI ad for a watch brand that doesn’t even exist. And don’t miss their uproarious round of "Wrong Answers Only" as they imagine commercials for iconic fake brands from pop culture. This is the insider scoop you need—delivered fast, fresh, and with just the right amount of trouble.

📖 Grab the new Book “How To Succeed In Marketing, Advertising and Artificial Intelligence Without Really Lying” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OJDXzU

🔗 **Join The Marketing, Machines & Mischief Community**

✅ Official: https://MarketingMachinesMischief.com

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✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewnewell/

✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingMachinesMischief

✅ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmachinesmischief

Marketing, Machines & Mischief is produced by Chris Stone at https://CastAhead.net