Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

This week, we thought it would be timely to retrieve this episode from our archives. A Brand Envy episode in celebration of Canadian brands. We’ll look at what may be the most successful global retailer Canada has ever built, a television pioneer worshipped and revered by generations of Canadians and a world-class brand that operates out of the smallest village in New Brunswick. We’ve certainly bred some amazing brands up here in the Great White North. 

This week, we take a look at one of the tools of political marketing – the campaign song. Politicians have used songs going all the way back to at least the 1700s. Sometimes the songs are written expressly for the political party or candidate. Sometimes, politicians co-opt pop songs. And sometimes, pop artists have a major problem with that.

Recorded before a live audience at Reid’s Distillery, this episode lists some of the biggest brand fails of 2024.We’ll talk about when Apple launched its thinnest computer ever, which led to a big fat PR problem.We’ll look at a seasonal candle that fired up accusations of white supremacy.And we’ll try and figure out how a children’s doll package ended up listing the URL for a porn site.

Today, movie theatres have to compete with home theatre systems and streaming services.This week, we look at how cinemas are transforming to attract more movie goers.To survive, theatres now offer restaurant meals and full bar menus.They offer loyalty programs and special theme nights.And many cinemas now offer patrons “atmospheric” movie experiences – where wind blows through your hair, rain falls from the ceiling, and seats not only jolt back and forth, they also emit smells that mirror the action on the screen.It puts the motion in motion picture.

There are things in the world of marketing that are forbidden.It’s illegal to use certain sounds, for example. If an advertiser does use them, they are heavily fined.In some countries, there are rules around using national anthems in commercials. In other countries, there are no rules.And even Winnie the Pooh is forbidden in one country because it apparently makes fun of their leader.

During SNL's recent 50th anniversary special, it showed a montage of their famous commercial parodies. Here’s an episode that talks about those and many others - and how SNL influenced the ad writers of my generation.