This Old Marketing - News Podcast Weekly with Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose
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Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose kick off this week's episode by unpacking the TikTok "sale" and what actually happened behind the headlines. Was it really a sale? Why was a true divestiture nearly impossible? And what does the outcome tell us about platform risk, regulation, and the future of rented audiences. From there, Joe and Robert shift into what they believe will be the most important marketing, content, and AI stories of 2026. Not predictions, but the conversations marketers will be having once the year is underway. They dig into whether the long-awaited AI bubble ever actually bursts in marketing, how AI changes headcount and team structures, and what happens to the brand website when search and discovery are increasingly mediated by AI systems instead of humans. The episode wraps with rants and raves. Robert rants about marketers' obsession with declaring everything dead, while Joe rants about Denmark's decision to shut down its postal service and what that signals for the future of physical letters and communication. * IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: __ __ * RANTS AND RAVES: __ __ SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW: Follow Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose on LinkedIn for insights, hot takes, and weekly updates from the world of content and marketing. ------- This week's sponsor: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
Joe and Robert kick off their annual predictions episode by grading last year's forecasts using ChatGPT. They revisit what hit, what missed, and why context often ruins otherwise solid predictions. Along the way, they discuss AI's uneven progress, platform power shifts, crypto hype, nostalgia marketing, podcast attrition, and the growing tension between tech optimism and cultural fatigue. The episode closes with fresh predictions spanning marketing, media, sports, and culture. * KEY TOPICS AND TAKEAWAYS 2025 PREDICTIONS REVIEWED (WITH AI GRADING) __ __ 2026 PREDICTION OVERVIEW Joe goes deep into the importance of email as an indication of humanity and states that the reply rate will be the key KPI for email moving forward. In addition, he makes big bets on: - Famous creators stopping their channels - Elon Musk's net worth at the end of the year - Apple buying Disney Robert believes that AI strategy will no longer be in vogue, and marketers will stop using it altogether because AI will be integrated into everything. Robert also discusses "the Mamdani effect" and how it will take over the election process. Tune in to the episode to get all the predictions right up to the very last minute. SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW: Follow Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose on LinkedIn for insights, hot takes, and weekly updates from the world of content and marketing. ------- This week's sponsor: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
This week on , Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose unpack two seemingly separate Wall Street Journal stories that are actually deeply connected. First, they dig into the WSJ article declaring that companies are now "desperately seeking storytellers." The irony is not lost on Joe and Robert. Storytelling in business is nothing new. Brands have been building audiences, publishing content, and creating narratives for decades. So is this really a new trend, or is the Wall Street Journal simply waking up to what marketers and creators have known all along? They explore why the term "storyteller" is suddenly everywhere on LinkedIn, what companies really mean when they use it, and whether this shift represents real change or just a shiny new label for old work. Next, the conversation turns to another WSJ piece highlighting the growing anxiety among white-collar workers. Layoffs, AI fears, fewer job openings, and slower hiring cycles are reshaping how knowledge workers feel about stability and career growth. Joe and Robert break down the data and argue that the real risk is not losing a job, but tying your identity to a single role or employer. Flexibility, curiosity, and the ability to adapt are becoming the most valuable skills in the modern economy. In news, the co-founder of DraftKings launches a creator-led systems company designed to capitalize on the window of opportunity before AI-generated content floods the market. Joe and Robert discuss why productizing creators and building owned systems may be the smartest move right now in the creator economy. WINNERS, LOSERS, RANTS, AND RAVES __ __ As always, Joe and Robert bring perspective, skepticism, and a little holiday spirit to wrap up the year. SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW: Follow Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose on LinkedIn for insights, hot takes, and weekly updates from the world of content and marketing. ------- This week's sponsor: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
Joe and Robert open the episode with major breaking news: Disney is reportedly finalizing a $1 BILLION INVESTMENT IN OPENAI along with a licensing deal that would allow creators to use select Disney IP inside OpenAI tools. The boys unpack what this actually means— __ __ THE $100 BILLION BATTLE FOR WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY Next, Joe and Robert dig into the increasingly chaotic race for Warner Bros., as PARAMOUNT, SKYDANCE, AND NETFLIX position themselves for what could be a $100B MEGA-DEAL. They discuss: __ __ AUSTRALIA MOVES TO BAN SOCIAL MEDIA FOR KIDS UNDER 16 The conversation shifts to Australia's new legislation banning social media access for children under 16. Joe and Robert debate: __ __ SPECIAL SEGMENT: ROBERT'S AI MUSIC PERSONA, LYLA RAE HIGHTOWER A highlight of the episode, Robert takes listeners behind the scenes of creating his AI-powered music persona. He details: __ __ * Spotify * https://open.spotify.com/artist/09m7OjGKcL1aOKKqyhZjui * * Apple Music * https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lyla-rae-hightower/1857062007 * * YouTube * https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDwdVLXGCWaO-SMOLuhSE8Q * * Website * https://lylahightower.com/ https://lylahightower.com/ WINNERS & LOSERS __ __ SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW: Follow Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose on LinkedIn for insights, hot takes, and weekly updates from the world of content and marketing. ------- This week's sponsor: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
The boys kick things off with a Black Friday breakdown and what it tells us about the K-shaped economy we now live in. Joe and Robert dig into spending trends, why some consumers are thriving while others are cutting back, and what this split means for marketers heading into 2026. They look at whether this year's patterns are temporary or structural, and what smart brands should prepare for next. From there, they turn to YouTube. Advertisers continue to shift budgets to the platform, and the data shows that YouTube is both the present and the future of television. Joe and Robert talk about how ultra-niche creators might be the biggest hidden opportunity for small and mid-sized brands looking to win in the influencer economy. The final story covers X and the platform's new "About Your Account" settings. Is it meaningful, helpful, or even newsworthy? The boys debate whether this is a real improvement or just another attempt to show activity without fixing the core issues. WINNERS AND LOSERS WINNER: TIME Joe highlights Time as an example of a legacy brand doing things right, with a renewed focus on email subscribers and a strong commitment to in-person events. A modern media model built on direct relationships, not algorithms. LOSER: OMNICOM AND THE PR INDUSTRY Robert takes the gloves off with a critique of Omnicom and the state of PR. He questions whether the industry is adapting fast enough to the shifts in trust, media fragmentation, and brand storytelling. RANTS AND RAVES ROBERT'S RANT Robert digs into a recent IPG study and why he believes it misses the mark. He breaks down the assumptions behind the research and what marketers should actually pay attention to. JOE'S RAVE Joe shares new research on gratitude and why it matters far more than most marketers realize. A positive scientific reminder that appreciation is a performance advantage, not just a personal virtue. SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW: Follow Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose on LinkedIn for insights, hot takes, and weekly updates from the world of content and marketing. ------- This week's sponsor: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
Google's release of GEMINI 3 may be the biggest shift in search and content discovery since Google launched. In this episode, Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose break down what Gemini means for marketers, creators, and anyone relying on organic reach. Will Gemini end organic discovery as we know it? Will synthetic creators become the majority of all content online? And is there still a path forward for creators? Joe and Robert go deep into: __ __ WINNERS & LOSERS: __ __ RANTS & RAVES: __ __ If you're a marketer, creator, or business owner trying to understand what's coming next, this is a must-listen episode. News we didn't get to: __ __ SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW: Follow Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose on LinkedIn for insights, hot takes, and weekly updates from the world of content and marketing. This week's sponsor: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
In this special Thanksgiving edition of , Joe and Robert dive into the future of AI and what it really means for marketers, creators, and anyone trying to build an audience in the next few years. The boys explore how long traditional marketing roles will remain intact and why we may be much closer to a tipping point than most people want to believe. THE WINDOW IS CLOSING Joe and Robert revisit a theme they've both been writing about lately: the shrinking window of time before AI reshapes content, distribution, and discoverability. They break down what creators and marketers can still do to secure their position before the landscape shifts for good. Their take: you have a few years. Maybe less. And waiting is not a strategy. THE REAL JOB OF THE FUTURE In a world where AI generates nearly everything instantly, Joe and Robert ask the big question: what will the marketing job look like five or ten years from now? The answer isn't another technical role. It isn't prompt engineering. It isn't "AI operations." The position of the future is rooted in skills AI can't replicate: __ __ If AI floods the world with infinite content, the new scarcity becomes physical presence. WHAT CREATORS MUST DO NEXT The boys outline the shift every marketer and content entrepreneur must make: from chasing reach to cultivating real connections. From relying on platforms to building owned audiences. From algorithmic exposure to human relationships that cannot be automated. This special episode is a wake-up call and a roadmap rolled into one. WHY THIS MATTERS RIGHT NOW Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, and the episode closes with Joe and Robert reminding listeners that the next few years are arguably the most important years in the history of marketing. AI will change everything. But it won't replace the marketers who understand what actually makes people move, trust, and gather. SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW: Follow Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose on LinkedIn for insights, hot takes, and weekly updates from the world of content and marketing. This week's sponsor: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
The episode kicks off with a pointed look at Meta, which seems to be earning a fortune from fraudulent and scam ads. Joe and Robert trace the pattern back more than a decade…from election misinformation to repeated scandals. The question emerges: This conversation naturally leads into a look at the growing AI bubble and Michael Burry's bet against The Magnificent Ten. While his prediction may eventually play out, the boys debate why we're likely still two years away from any real correction. TOP STORIES META'S LONG HISTORY OF TROUBLE Joe and Robert walk through Meta's pattern of behavior, including the current windfall from scam ads, reminders of past election interference issues, and the repeated failure to effectively police the platform. The bigger question: if this is systemic, where does it go from here? THE AI BUBBLE AND MICHAEL BURRY'S BET The legendary investor who foretold the mortgage crisis is now shorting the biggest tech companies. The boys give context on why he might be early, what signals they're watching, and what marketers should learn from speculative hype cycles. DISNEY SPENDS UP…BUT NOT WHERE YOU THINK Disney is increasing content spending, but the bulk is shifting toward live sports and in-person experiences. Joe and Robert discuss what this means for marketers and why "experiential" continues to be a long-term bet. COKE'S AI HOLIDAY AD MAKER RESPONDS The studio responsible for Coca-Cola's AI holiday ad gives its defense. Is this just another evolution of creative tools, or are creators right to be irritated? The boys break down the nuance. WINNERS AND LOSERS __ __ RANTS AND RAVES __ __ SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW: Follow Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose on LinkedIn for insights, hot takes, and weekly updates from the world of content and marketing. This week's sponsor: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
This week, Joe and Robert cover three major AI stories shaping the creative and marketing landscape. First, the guys break down the debut of , the first AI-powered artist to land on a Billboard chart. Is this the start of a new music era...or the beginning of the end for human creativity? Next, they unwrap Coca-Cola's second annual holiday AI ad. But this year, it's not just Coke. Expect a wave of AI-generated holiday campaigns across brands. Joe and Robert debate what this means for creative differentiation and audience connection. Finally, they analyze Bloomberry's massive study of 180 million jobs, revealing how AI is reshaping the global workplace faster than anyone imagined. Who's safe, who's not, and what can marketers learn from the data? WINNERS AND LOSERS: __ __ RANTS AND RAVES: __ __ SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW: Follow Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose on LinkedIn for insights, hot takes, and weekly updates from the world of content and marketing. This week's sponsor: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
It's another wild week in the world of marketing, media, and tech. FIRST UP: Amazon announced yet another round of layoffs, and Joe and Robert dive into the growing trend among the companies. Are these just normal business cycles? The result of AI-driven productivity? Or signs of something deeper happening in the global economy? THEN: OpenAI is restructuring to look more like a traditional for-profit company. With Microsoft now owning 27%, the boys debate what this means for control, innovation, and the company's future. Could OpenAI become the world's first trillion-dollar IPO? NEXT: Morning Brew acquires a YouTube show about the news — and Joe explains why this is another major example of individual creators getting their work acquired and then integrating themselves into larger organizations. In MARKETING WINNERS & LOSERS, Robert dives into , while Joe highlights . And in RANTS & RAVES, Joe shares how email newsletters can literally get you hired, while Robert takes aim at the new WPP–Google AI partnership. * LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE for all the analysis, tangents, and laughs you expect from Joe and Robert on This week's sponsor: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
This week’s episode of dives deep into the evolving world of AI, automation, and creator opportunities. 1. OPENAI’S CHATGPT ATLAS: A GOOGLE KILLER? OpenAI’s latest product, ChatGPT Atlas, has some wondering if this is a direct strike at Google’s dominance in search. We break down what Atlas is, how it changes the discovery landscape, and what it means for marketers and creators. 2. AI AND ROBOTS TAKING JOBS A article reports that Amazon plans to replace over half a million jobs with robots. But the twist? The AI industry itself is facing layoffs. Meta has cut significant staff from its AI operations, according to . We explore what this says about the current state — and future — of the AI economy. 3. CHATGPT TO ALLOW ADULT EROTICA (FOR VERIFIED USERS) OpenAI will soon allow adult-themed content for verified adults. Is this a necessary step toward realism and maturity online, or is it a PR nightmare waiting to happen? We debate whether the Internet needs true age-gating — or if this will end up being a “nothing burger,” as Robert might say. 4. CREATORS TAKE FLIGHT — LITERALLY reports that YouTube creators are getting their content featured on Delta Airlines flights. It’s a great marketing move — but does it signal that YouTube is becoming television? We discuss what this means for creators’ reach and brand positioning. * MARKETING WINNERS OF THE WEEK __ __ RAVES OF THE WEEK __ __ * LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE for all the analysis, tangents, and laughs you expect from Joe and Robert on THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
In this episode, Joe and Robert break down the latest moves in the ongoing battle between lawmakers and social media giants. California is leading the charge with new AI and social media legislation — plus, Instagram is testing a “rating system” for content. Is this meaningful progress or just more political theater? The guys also cover how OPENAI AND ANTHROPIC are stepping into the marketing world. OpenAI’s first ad sparks debate (is it a miss?), while Anthropic’s experiential push might have us all saying “Oh Claude.” WINNERS AND LOSERS: __ __ RANTS AND RAVES: __ __ Tune in for another week of marketing madness, strategic insights, and questionable football takes. ------- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
After celebrating 500 weeks of podcasting, Joe and Robert are back to regular programming. And this week… things get weird. OpenAI and Meta both dropped major updates to their AI apps—releases that could either spark the next great social network or bring about the end of the internet as we know it. The guys break down what these announcements mean for creators, advertisers, and the future of “artificial content.” In other news, Anthropic settles a $1.5 BILLION LAWSUIT https://www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/faq?_gl=1*3iselc*_gcl_au*MTYwOTk5MTk5NC4xNzU5OTM3NDAz that could mean payouts for authors everywhere (and a big precedent for copyright in AI). Plus, ’s ALEX COOPER launches a new marketing agency that might just be the new business model for content entrepreneurs. And YouTube rolls out AUTO DUBBING for creators and marketers. Joe and Robert debate whether that’s a blessing or a curse. THIS WEEK’S WINNER: CMI’s new B2B RESEARCH REPORT. THIS WEEK’S LOSER: China’s growing PROPAGANDA MACHINE. RANTS AND RAVES: A look at ABBA VOYAGE and MRBEAST, two very different but equally fascinating examples of what happens when creativity, technology, and obsession collide. ------- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
It’s here...the 500th episode of ! In this very special show, Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose take a walk down memory lane, sharing stories, clips, and predictions from across the past twelve years of the podcast. Along the way, they’re joined by some surprise guests and special videos from friends of the show. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE __ __ SPECIAL SURPRISES __ __ RANTS & RAVES Yes, even in this celebratory episode, Joe and Robert can’t resist a few choice rants and raves. (You’ll just have to listen in!) * THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF 500 WEEKS OF . WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU. HERE’S TO THE NEXT CHAPTER! ------- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
In the final show before the big 500 extravaganza, Joe and Robert discuss why individual creators are slowly taking over Hollywood — and whether there are opportunities for brands in this shift. __ __ WINNERS AND LOSERS: __ __ RANTS AND RAVES: __ __ And don’t miss our special #500 EPISODE NEXT WEEK. ------- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
No, TikTok does not stop. Maybe the fourth time is the charm, as Robert and Joe run through the latest with the TikTok “staying or going” drama. Get all the latest on the changes, although it might be a big nothing burger. Link to more: U.S.-China Deal to Avert TikTok Ban May be Close, Trump Official Says - The New York Times YouTube makes a strong case that they are integral to the US economy. With $100 billion going to creators, new and improved creation features, and an all-in-one create and distribute scenario, it seems like everything we want. Or is it? Links to more: YouTube AI likeness detection and creator tools - The Wrap Made on YouTube 2025 - Official Blog Albania has become the first country in the world to appoint an AI minister. Joe contends this is just the beginning. Link to more: Albania appoints world’s first AI-made minister – POLITICO Special thanks to Jared Luttjeboer for his question on video vs. audio podcasting. Learn more about Jared’s work here: The Church History Project Podcast MARKETING WINNERS AND LOSERS include: __ __ RANTS AND RAVES include: __ __ ------- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at http://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
This week, Joe and Robert dig into the Reddit phenomenon. Leading in AI findability (AEO) and trusted by geeks everywhere, the platform is having its coming-out moment. Is it time to ride the marketing train to Reddit town? Here’s why Reddit marketing could be your next big business move OpenAI wants to make a full-length animated movie that isn’t AI slop. Can they pull it off, or is this just a content marketing play? (Hint: the latter.) OpenAI wants to make an AI movie that isn’t slop Meanwhile, the team at Robinhood is rolling out a new social media app. But is now the right time for another platform? Reddit, X get new rival with Robinhood Social's launch MARKETING WINNERS AND LOSERS this week include Liquid Death (Yahoo Can Coolers – Liquid Death) and Ben & Jerry’s (Ben & Jerry's founders want to scoop out their brand). RANTS AND RAVES feature the AI-driven destruction of the career ladder (AI isn't just ending entry-level jobs. It's ending the career ladder) and LinkedIn’s latest analytics upgrade (Post | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com). ------- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
The marketing news of the week: A federal judge has ordered a shakeup of Google’s search engine. Some call it a slap on the wrist, but it’s clear even the courts see Google’s dominance slipping. With AI search and new competitors on the rise, will Google’s empire burn down? -- Judge orders search shakeup in Google monopoly case | PBS News Meanwhile, the so-called “marketing AI boom” is running headfirst into a crisis of customer trust. But do people really care about privacy, or is it just talk? Joe and Robert debate whether it matters at all. -- Marketing AI boom faces crisis of consumer trust WINNERS AND LOSERS: Creators landing SNL deals (Creators Take Over SNL 🌜), and the curious case of why one agency made an indie short film. RANTS AND RAVES: A content strategist for ChatGPT raises eyebrows, and the surprising death of VOA. And to wrap things up: our annual NFL predictions. Who’s taking home the Lombardi Trophy this year? ------- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: Did you know that most businesses only use 20% of their data? That's like reading a book with most of the pages torn out. Point is, you miss a lot. Unless you use HubSpot. Their customer platform gives you access to the data you need to grow your business. The insights trapped in emails, call logs, and transcripts. All that unstructured data that makes all the difference. Because when you know more, you grow more. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
This week on the podcast, Joe and Robert break down the big takeaways from Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX): __ __ Marketing news this week: __ __ Marketing losers of the week: __ __ And in rants and raves: __ __ ------- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: You don't become the world’s most valuable women's sports franchise by accident. Angel City Football Club did it with a little help from HubSpot. When they started, data was housed across multiple systems. HubSpot unified their website, email marketing, and fan experience in one platform. This allowed their small team of three to build an entire website in just three days. The results? Nearly 350 new sign-ups a week and 300% database growth in just two years. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
Are we entering a new golden age of content marketing? In this week’s , Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose dig into why the industry feels more alive than ever and what this resurgence means for brands and creators alike. THE BIG STORIES: __ __ MARKETING WINNERS OF THE WEEK: __ __ RANTS & RAVES: __ __ KEY TAKEAWAY: Content marketing isn’t just back. It’s maturing into a stronger, more essential discipline. Brands and creators who double down on owned media, storytelling, and consistency will be the ones who thrive in this new golden age. ------- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: You don't become the world’s most valuable women's sports franchise by accident. Angel City Football Club did it with a little help from HubSpot. When they started, data was housed across multiple systems. HubSpot unified their website, email marketing, and fan experience in one platform. This allowed their small team of three to build an entire website in just three days. The results? Nearly 350 new sign-ups a week and 300% database growth in just two years. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Get all the show notes: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ Get Joe's new book, , at www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Get Robert Rose's new book, , at https://robertrose.net/valuable-friction/ Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ ------- This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
BIG NEWS IN THE TECH AND MARKETING WORLD THIS WEEK. AI search leader Perplexity stunned the industry with a $34 billion offer to buy Google Chrome. Is this just a headline-grabbing PR stunt… or could it actually give Google a way out of its ongoing antitrust mess? Meanwhile, OpenAI is scrambling to turn lemons into lemonade after the botched ChatGPT-5 launch. Did they completely miss the mark with their audience, or has their technology hit a temporary wall — giving Google, Anthropic, X, and others a window to catch up? Over on YouTube, creators who target children are sounding alarms over the platform’s new age verification and machine learning plan, which goes into effect this week. Many fear it could hurt discoverability and revenue. Marketing Winners this week include Marketing AI Institute and the sweet, unexpected Oreos/Reese’s mashup. Rants and Raves feature the surprisingly catchy Hampton Jitney Bus Song and a look at the Wall Street Journal/McKinsey partnership. ----- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: You don't become the world’s most valuable women's sports franchise by accident. Angel City Football Club did it with a little help from HubSpot. When they started, data was housed across multiple systems. HubSpot unified their website, email marketing, and fan experience in one platform. This allowed their small team of three to build an entire website in just three days. The results? Nearly 350 new sign-ups a week and 300% database growth in just two years. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at ThisOldMarketing.com. Catch and subscribe to our NEW show on YouTube. Subscribe to Joe's Newsletter at https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/. Subscribe to Robert's Newsletter at https://seventhbearlens.substack.com/ This Old Marketing is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network: https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork
THE BOYS ARE BACK (AND BETTER THAN EVER) WITH A BRAND-NEW EPISODE ON WHAT INFLUENCER MARKETING WILL LOOK LIKE SOON (INCLUDING AI). In this episode, they break down the new deal between ESPN and the NFL. Does this partnership signal new opportunities for brands and content marketing deals in the near future? YouTube announced that it will begin testing a new AI feature designed to estimate whether a user is a minor...regardless of the birthday listed on the account. Some creators fear it will hurt business, while others worry that large organizations and institutions will use the data in nefarious ways. Winners and losers include the future of influencer marketing, the Savannah Bananas, American Eagle, Sydney Sweeney, and . Rants and raves feature CMOs uncovering a new trend in influencer strategy—and Superman. ----- THIS WEEK'S LINKS: ESPN to buy NFL Network https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/espn-nfl-network-deal How YouTube Age Verification Could Hurt the Creator Economy What MLB Can Learn from the Savannah Bananas? Mentions of Creator Economy on CMO Calls ----- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: You don't become the world’s most valuable women's sports franchise by accident. Angel City Football Club did it with a little help from HubSpot. When they started, data was housed across multiple systems. HubSpot unified their website, email marketing, and fan experience in one platform. This allowed their small team of three to build an entire website in just three days. The results? Nearly 350 new sign-ups a week and 300% database growth in just two years. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at ThisOldMarketing.com. Catch and subscribe to our NEW show on YouTube. Subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Orangeletter and get two free downloads direct from Joe. Subscribe to Robert Rose's newsletter https://seventhbear.com/ at Seventh Bear.
This is the last special solo episode for a while. Thankfully, Robert and Joe will be back next week to make nonsense about marketing and content news. But today’s episode is something a little different. In 1937, Napoleon Hill wrote Think and Grow Rich. His ideas about belief, desire, and persistence changed lives—Joe's included. Joe's new book, Burn the Playbook, is his answer to what Think and Grow Rich would look like today. It's not just about financial wealth...it's about freedom. Mental freedom. Physical health. Time freedom. It’s the book Joe wanted his kids to have…the book that they could share with their kids about living a life of purpose. This episode of This Old Marketing is about how to build a platform strong enough to carry the weight of your dreams. Six months ago, Joe was 20 pounds heavier. He felt foggy, sluggish, reactive. He was still productive, sure...but didn’t feel sharp. He didn’t feel like he was operating at his best. And he decided that wasn’t okay anymore. Many of you know this, but Joe's family has a history of Alzheimer’s as well. He always thought he was relegated to this fate and there was nothing he could do. Joe's since found there are many things he can do to build a better brain (if you will), so that he can live a better life and be around, in all forms, for his kids and their kids, in addition to living a life of freedom (which we’ll discuss). So he made some changes. Not radical ones. Just simple, consistent ones. And Joe wants to share them with you—not as a health expert, but as a creator who realized that if your body and brain break down, your business doesn’t stand a chance. Let’s get into it. ----- THIS WEEK'S LINKS: Americans Check Phone 144 Times Per Day The Cost of Multitasking ----- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: You don't become the world’s most valuable women's sports franchise by accident. Angel City Football Club did it with a little help from HubSpot. When they started, data was housed across multiple systems. HubSpot unified their website, email marketing, and fan experience in one platform. This allowed their small team of three to build an entire website in just three days. The results? Nearly 350 new sign-ups a week and 300% database growth in just two years. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at ThisOldMarketing.com. Catch and subscribe to our NEW show on YouTube. Subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Orangeletter and get two free downloads direct from Joe. Subscribe to Robert Rose's newsletter https://seventhbear.com/ at Seventh Bear.
In this solo episode of This Old Marketing, Robert dives headfirst into the uncomfortable - and increasingly urgent - tension at the heart of modern content strategy: Can we still create truly human content, full of nuance, voice, and emotional honesty… while also making sure the machines don’t misinterpret (or mangle) what we mean? Inspired by the announced end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Robert explores how the final stretch of a show - or a career, or even a blog archive - can shape both public perception and machine learning for years to come. This week Robert covers: Why “good” content now means craft, not just output. The shift from writing for search engines to teaching AI what to say about you. The danger (and opportunity) of legacy content becoming training data. A new strategy for structuring content that serves both people and machines. Four practical steps you can take right now to future-proof your brand’s voice. Oh - and Joe’s out this week, off pitching new names for the Guardians and Commanders to the Trump administration. Don’t worry. Robert’s got it handled. Tune in, laugh a little, squirm a little, and leave with a renewed sense of purpose—and a checklist. ----- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: You don't become the world’s most valuable women's sports franchise by accident. Angel City Football Club did it with a little help from HubSpot. When they started, data was housed across multiple systems. HubSpot unified their website, email marketing, and fan experience in one platform. This allowed their small team of three to build an entire website in just three days. The results? Nearly 350 new sign-ups a week and 300% database growth in just two years. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at ThisOldMarketing.com. Catch and subscribe to our NEW show on YouTube. Subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Orangeletter and get two free downloads direct from Joe. Subscribe to Robert Rose's newsletter https://seventhbear.com/ at Seventh Bear.
Get ready for this special episode that you needed to hear years ago. Let me say this plainly: WORKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE IS THE RISKIEST THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW. For decades, we believed that a "good job" was the ultimate security. A steady paycheck. Healthcare. Maybe a 401(k) with a match. But that model is falling apart in real time. I’ve seen this from the inside. I’ve been the employee. I’ve been the boss. I’ve been the guy who signed the layoff papers. When I was at Penton we went through three rounds of layoffs in 18 months and it was devastating for everyone involved. And this continues today but at breakneck speed. Here’s the truth: NO JOB IS SAFE ANYMORE...ESPECIALLY IN MARKETING. AI is replacing entry-level marketers faster than we can track. Some agencies I know are in desperation mode. The only advice brand marketing teams get is to lean more into AI. Is that even the right strategy? And executive teams still don’t understand what content actually does...until they decide it’s too expensive (even thought it’s not) and cut it. Here’s the harsh truth: Most people following the “good job, good life” blueprint are BROKE, STRESSED, UNFULFILLED, AND TRAPPED. The old dream isn’t dead because people stopped working hard. It’s dead because the game changed and nobody updated the playbook. ----- THIS WEEK'S LINKS: Dallas Cowboys NOT America's Team Joe Pulizzi's New Book "Burn the Playbook" Pre-Order http://burntheplaybook.today/ ----- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: You don't become the world’s most valuable women's sports franchise by accident. Angel City Football Club did it with a little help from HubSpot. When they started, data was housed across multiple systems. HubSpot unified their website, email marketing, and fan experience in one platform. This allowed their small team of three to build an entire website in just three days. The results? Nearly 350 new sign-ups a week and 300% database growth in just two years. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at ThisOldMarketing.com. Catch and subscribe to our NEW show on YouTube. Subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Orangeletter and get two free downloads direct from Joe. Subscribe to Robert Rose's newsletter https://seventhbear.com/ at Seventh Bear.
This week Robert flies solo (Joe’s busy revolutionizing dairy on the blockchain) to ask a question: What if slower is the new smarter? After riffing on OpenAI’s burnout‑induced shutdown, he unveils a sneak peek of his upcoming book, Valuable Friction. From Netflix’s “Skip Intro” button to AI‑generated sameness, Robert shows how our obsession with frictionless everything is draining the meaning out of marketing...and life. Tune in for the four kinds of friction that sharpen ideas, deepen relationships, steady operations, and save you from knee‑jerk strategy. No co‑host, no fast‑forward, just 100 percent Robert. Press play, don’t skip the intro, and discover why a little resistance might be your brand’s unfair advantage. ----- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: You don't become the world’s most valuable women's sports franchise by accident. Angel City Football Club did it with a little help from HubSpot. When they started, data was housed across multiple systems. HubSpot unified their website, email marketing, and fan experience in one platform. This allowed their small team of three to build an entire website in just three days. The results? Nearly 350 new sign-ups a week and 300% database growth in just two years. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at ThisOldMarketing.com. Catch and subscribe to our NEW show on YouTube. Subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Orangeletter and get two free downloads direct from Joe. Subscribe to Robert Rose's newsletter https://seventhbear.com/ at Seventh Bear.
After a quick cover of the Cloudflare news where it will be possible to select and make money from AI companies crawling your site, Joe and Robert dive into marketing plan B. Specifically - The New Normal: Why Everyone Needs a Personal Brand (Even If You’re Not Selling Anything) The collapse of the idea that a job = stability. From creators to CMOs: why everyone needs visibility. The difference between self-promotion and self-preservation. HOT TAKE: You’re always in stealth mode for your next job (even if you don’t know it yet). And...Content as Career Insurance: Best Practices for Building Your Brand What platforms actually matter (and which ones are dead weight)? Where to start? We have the answers in this episode. ----- THIS WEEK'S LINKS: Cloudflare Launches AI Marketplace Paramount Settles Trump Case Joe's Newsletter Post on Freedom ----- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: You don't become the world’s most valuable women's sports franchise by accident. Angel City Football Club did it with a little help from HubSpot. When they started, data was housed across multiple systems. HubSpot unified their website, email marketing, and fan experience in one platform. This allowed their small team of three to build an entire website in just three days. The results? Nearly 350 new sign-ups a week and 300% database growth in just two years. VISIT HTTPS://WWW.HUBSPOT.COM/ TO HEAR HOW HUBSPOT CAN HELP YOU GROW BETTER. ------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at ThisOldMarketing.com. Catch and subscribe to our NEW show on YouTube. Subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Orangeletter and get two free downloads direct from Joe. Subscribe to Robert Rose's newsletter https://seventhbear.com/ at Seventh Bear.
AI hits the headlines again. Anthropic wins a lawsuit for its training data procedures, but the judge leaves room for additional lawsuits. In the greater scheme, will any of the lawsuits really matter? John Oliver's AI Slop video is "must-see-TV" and AI content continues to become a bigger part of our lives in content creation and marketing. What do we need to do? And Zohran Mamdani wins the Democratic nomination for mayor in New York, outlasting the big money players through a Gen Z-focused approach. What can we learn from this and will we see more? Winners and losers include Mumford & Sons and Intel dropping marketing as a core function. Rants and raves include Voice of America and the LinkedIn Ballad. ----- THIS WEEK'S LINKS: Anthropic Wins Case AI Slop and John Oliver Mamdani Takes New York Nomination with TikTok VOA's Iran Mess Mumford & Sons Membership Pass https://agora.gentlemenoftheroad.com/ Intel Outsources Marketing to Accenture ----- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: INBOUND 2025 features an incredible lineup including Amy Poehler, Dario Amodei, Dwarkesh Patel, Sean Evans (Hot Ones), Marques Brownlee, Glennon Doyle, and more. Get actionable insights you can implement immediately to grow your business...San Francisco September 3rd-5th, 2025. Go to inbound.com/register to secure your spot at INBOUND 2025. ------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at ThisOldMarketing.com. Catch and subscribe to our NEW show on YouTube. Subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Orangeletter and get two free downloads direct from Joe. Subscribe to Robert Rose's newsletter https://seventhbear.com/ at Seventh Bear.
Huge research uncovers the obvious. Television and "traditional media" is going obsolete, as social media revenues and watch/listen time dominates. It is indeed the end of the living room. The boys review reports from WPP and NiemenLab. In marketing winners, Terry Moran launches a substack after being fired. But shouldn't he have had one already? Contractual reasons aside, the boys detail a marketing/creator survival plan that's not just a nice to have. Rants and raves include Answer Engine Optimization Hype and the GENIUS act. ----- THIS WEEK'S LINKS: Creators Overtake Traditional Media The Brand/Studio Line Blurs Social Media Overtakes TV Ads on Whatsapp Terry Moran Launches Substack Journalist Survival Plan Genius Act Progress ----- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: INBOUND 2025 features an incredible lineup including Amy Poehler, Dario Amodei, Dwarkesh Patel, Sean Evans (Hot Ones), Marques Brownlee, Glennon Doyle, and more. Get actionable insights you can implement immediately to grow your business...San Francisco September 3rd-5th, 2025. Go to inbound.com/register to secure your spot at INBOUND 2025. ------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at ThisOldMarketing.com. Catch and subscribe to our NEW show on YouTube. Subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Orangeletter and get two free downloads direct from Joe. Subscribe to Robert Rose's newsletter https://seventhbear.com/ at Seventh Bear.
Joe and Robert break down Mary Meeker's "Future of AI" report and discuss the biggest opportunities and threats for marketers and creators in the future. Disney sues Midjourney in yet another lawsuit against AI companies. When will it stop and why should we care? And Meta invests $15 billion more in AI, trying to catch up in the AI race. In winners and losers, Joe discusses how to get found in AI searches and Robert talks about the failed mainstream media with the LA coverage. Rants and raves include a new creator economy lobbying group from MatPat and a boost to musical theater. ----- THIS WEEK'S LINKS: Disney Sues Midjourney The Future of AI Report https://www.bondcap.com/reports/tai Meta Makes $15 Billion Bet on AGI How to Get Found in AI Search [Chart] MatPat Starts Creator Caucus https://x.com/MatPatGT/status/1932458863619404194 Live Theater Gets a Boost ----- THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: INBOUND 2025 features an incredible lineup including Amy Poehler, Dario Amodei, Dwarkesh Patel, Sean Evans (Hot Ones), Marques Brownlee, Glennon Doyle, and more. Get actionable insights you can implement immediately to grow your business...San Francisco September 3rd-5th, 2025. Go to inbound.com/register to secure your spot at INBOUND 2025. ------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at ThisOldMarketing.com. Catch and subscribe to our NEW show on YouTube. Subscribe to Joe Pulizzi's Orangeletter and get two free downloads direct from Joe. Subscribe to Robert Rose's newsletter https://seventhbear.com/ at Seventh Bear.
