Marketing World Peace with Metta; Revisiting “The Awkward Years”; Debunking Holiday Ad Myths; A.I. Weathermen Hit The Airwaves

“Life is not about paper.” – Metta Sandiford-Artest

Metta Sandiford-Artest, aka Metta World Peace, aka Ron Artest, is ahead of every curve. He was canceled before you could get canceled. He’s been a passionate advocate for mental health for over a decade. And it sure seems like Facebook’s rebrand is following in his footsteps.

How did he do it? Maybe it’s because Metta embraces transformation. He’s a podcaster with a new show Mettaphorically Speaking, has multiple business ventures including Artest Management Group, he’s an author, and a grandfather. In other words, he’s come a long way since being at the center of the infamous Malice at the Palace brawl that he estimates cost him $50-100 Million in his career.

For marketers shepherding their brands, or recovering from controversy, Metta is living proof that you can change the way people see you. But, it won’t just come through a quick rebrand. It’s through the kind of passionate, time-intensive focus, ownership of mistakes, and years of impactful actions that are impossible to fake. All of which make his new podcast worth consideration for almost any advertiser, especially those looking to connect with authentic influencers like Metta.

Click below to learn why Metta had no problem auctioning off his champion ring for charity, how he used his math major for basketball, and the power of forgiveness in this positive, wide-ranging conversation.

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The Classifieds

Full-Size Comedians Bested by Little Wooden Men

There’s a reason yo momma jokes have persisted: trash talk is always entertaining. Comedian and world foosball champion, Kelsey Cook, takes that dictum to the nth degree in her limited series comedy podcast from All Things Comedy. In every episode, Kelsey meets up with a comedian (or comedians), and single-handedly, literally,  bests them in her chosen sport. Both teams banter with the best absurd comments, astute observations, and withering retorts. Insultingly insightful it may be,, there’s nothing insulting about the limited-time testing rate confirmed for these December episodes. A great option for clients seeing success in the comedy genre or those targeting a male-skew audience. Score for yourself during this holiday season by testing today.

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Back to Basics by Being Back in Braces

For those of us who have not blocked out the memory of their years in junior high, it’s probably not listed among your favorite periods of time. Lemonada’s new fiction podcast tells the story of 13-year old Noa, a less than popular misanthrope who is trying to stay out of the crosshairs of the social elite. Boasting a talented voice cast, including Rob Huebe,l The Descendants, and June Diane Raphael, Grace and Frankie, as well as actual teenage actors, the entire listening experience feels like an all too familiar recollection of public humiliation and awkward teen romance. Many of our clients have seen success on similar fiction genre shows, and limited custom content packages are still available. If you’re interested in getting nostalgic see details below.

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In Case You Missed It

Holiday Advertising Myths Busted

Like the star guiding wisemen to the manger, Marpipe’s Dan Pantelo points us in the right direction for creative testing this holiday season, encouraging us to let go of the myths many of us hold so dear. Myth #1: A holiday-themed photoshoot is a must. Myth #2: Discounts are the only way to convert. Myth #3: If an ad fails, you have to scrap it. Instead, Pantelo shows how a modular ad-testing design can help you develop the best performing creative for your holiday campaigns.

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This Weather Report Brought To You By AI

Those who are still tuning into the radio for the day’s weather may not be hearing what they think. Radio syndicator, Key Networks partnered with Summit Tech, to develop A.I.-generated weather reports for the stations they serve. The company says “the result is seamless, accurate and as personable as a real meteorologist.” This is just the beginning! We’ve been talking about AI and how it’s creeping into every facet of our lives. Now it’s weather reports, soon we may be tuning in to listening to The Max Headroom Show.

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SNL Turns Their Sites On You

The new season of SNL is shaping up to be better than we’ve come to expect over the past few years, and last week’s episode may have been the best of the season. While the music world is abuzz over Taylor Swift’s 10 min revisiting of her song All Too Well, the ad world is talking about the “Audacity in Advertising Awards” skit. Hosted by “Jake from State Farm” and “Progressive’s Flo”, the troop from Rockefeller Center takes aim at their neighbors on Madison Avenue in a fake awards show that hits a little close to home for us in the industry.

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This Week in Great Podcast Reads

What Gamers Need Most

When a host can take the same passion they express toward the subject of their podcast and apply it to a brand they love, it’s a recipe for great ad reads. It’s no wonder why then that What’s Good Games host Andrea Rene recently delivered a killer read for Postmates, the widely used food service app, with a whole lot of flavor. You’re guaranteed to forget it’s an ad when you simply hear Andrea’s love for Pad Thai and her equal umbrage for putting her child into the car seat to pick up food. The video game podcast is certainly no stranger to getting fired up when it comes to reporting the latest in gaming news, and dishes the same in her ad reads with a dash of personal touch.

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