2022 Podcast Winners; A Visit By Three Holiday Spirits; Claire and Erica Teach You A Thing or Two About Business Finance

“You’re probably going to be visited by some ghosts tonight.”

My 16-year-old son said this to me last week when my patience had been tested to the end, and I didn’t have to think for a moment about what he meant–it was his way of calling me a Scrooge. He was right.

This time of year is exceptionally rough for us in the advertising world. On the one hand, we’re frantically tying up loose ends, and on the other, we’re locking in plans for the next 12 months. It’s exhausting, and if you’re like me, it’s easy to forget about what matters in life.

The chaos of this season isn’t just for us, though — anyone trying to balance work with social and familial obligations is bound to feel the pressure.

That’s why this week’s edition of The Influencer will be a little lighter. So, instead of the news of the day, let us be your guides as three ghosts visit you — in the spirit of the season, we hope it brings you a bit of peace and joy.

Next week, we’ll take a break to enjoy the holidays, but we’ll return in January with our predictions on what 2023 will bring and more industry news you need to know. Until then, the happiest of holidays to you and yours! Influence responsibly.

The Classifieds

Lonely Hearts Club President Starts a New Term

As we wind down the year and prepare for a season of festivities and yuletide cheer, it’s only natural to look back on 2022. The iHeartRadio Podcast Awards reflect the best podcasts of the year, highlighting our industry’s outstanding work. This first category is probably our favorite: Best Ad Read Podcast! A host who knows how to give their most, Nicole Byer has several great podcasts, but it’s the always hilariously honest Why Won’t You Date Me? that listeners consistently love to recommend. Recent guests have included LaLa Ri, Keke Palmer, and Larry Owens, lending to jaw-dropping conversations so funny that this classifieds’ writer was rolling on the floor laughing. This option is always suitable for female skew clients who want to reach an engaged, loyal, and giggly audience.  No need to bust out the dating apps; your love match awaits at the link below.

Get The Deal

Critics of Culture Gain Cultural Nomination                     

Our second nominee is up for Best Pop Culture Podcast and comes from the folks over at Crooked Media. The reasoning behind this show being included as a nominee and amongst most trendsetters’ podcast diet is clear from the first minute of any episode. Hosts Ira Madison III and Louis Virtel create a delightfully spontaneous environment with their energetic banter, snide comments, rich commentary, and informed and educated opinions on both high-brow and perceived low-brow culture. The guests they choose to interview always lend to deep and one-of-a-kind conversations that give their listeners a friendlier view into supposedly insular worlds. This is a great option for clients looking to reach younger HHI individuals with interest in diversity, internet culture, and drama. Climb down into the conversation pit and take a seat via the link below.

Get The Deal

In Case You Missed It

The Ghost of Christmas Past

Released in 1983, Mickey’s Christmas Carol was the first original Mickey Mouse theatrical cartoon produced in over 30 years. For many Gen-X’rs is the only version of the Dickens classic worth watching. If you’ve somehow missed watching the 28 minutes of holiday perfection this year, it’s streaming on Disney Plus.

Read More

The Ghost of Christmas Present

SNL is hit or miss these days, but they knocked it out of the park with a recent parody sketch of A Christmas Carol featuring Martin Short and Steve Martin. Somehow, the writers were able to balance Tarantino-level gore with a ton of laughs in just 4 minutes. If Mickey’s Christmas Carol warms your heart, this one stabs it with an icicle and leaves you in stitches.

Read More

The Ghost of Christmas Future

Continuing on our theme, the VUI Agency, a company designed to stretch the capabilities of AI gives us a glimpse into the Christmas future showing how they envision the holiday in 2030.

Read More

This Week in Great Podcast Reads

A Thing or Two for the New Year

This is what you’re missing—great podcast voices to usher your brand’s message into a new year. A year of further economic uncertainty, yes. But that exact talking point is what makes the opening for A Thing or Two with Claire and Erica’s ad read for Netsuite so powerful. It resonates with the individual as well as the business. And with so much of the current economic story yet to unfold, it’s refreshing to hear a message of empowerment with solutions like Netsuite, the cloud-based financial system that gives you visibility into your business. The thing or two that Claire and Erica know is how to connect with people, not just an audience. They understand that trying times are opportunities for brands to make their mark because they’ve witnessed it. This is the kind of podcast you need to help steer your messaging into murky waters toward a promised land.

Listen Here

Contact us for a Consultation