Under the Influence with Terry O’Reilly
- Episodes
- 442
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 7, 2026
About the podcast
Under the Influence gives listeners a rare backstage pass into the hallways, boardrooms and recording studios of the ad industry.Join host and adman Terry O’Reilly for fascinating (and humorous) stories that connect the dots between pop culture, marketing and human nature.
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Episodes 442
Putting The Motion in Motion Pictures: Movie Theatre Marketing
Today, movie theatres have to compete with home theatre systems and streaming services.A favourite from our archives...We look at how cinemas are transforming to attract more movie goers.To survive, theatres …
Show notes
Today, movie theatres have to compete with home theatre systems and streaming services.
A favourite from our archives...
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.
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From Bonanza to Batman: When Fictional Characters Endorse Brands
In this encore episode, we explore a strange aspect of advertising.Specifically, when tv and movie characters endorse products. Not the actors, themselves - but the characters they portray.It's a trend that …
Show notes
In this encore episode, we explore a strange aspect of advertising.
Specifically, when tv and movie characters endorse products. Not the actors, themselves - but the characters they portray.
It's a trend that started in the early '60s with the Andy Griffith Show and Bonanza.
Today, it includes characters like Breaking Bad's Walter White and even Phil Dunphy from Modern Family.
Sometimes it's funny - and sometimes it bends the time/space continuum.
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Orchestrating Elections: Political Campaign Songs
In this episode from our archives, 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 …
Show notes
In this episode from our archives, 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.
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Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz: How Companies Double Their Profits
Every company dreams of doubling its profit.It’s almost impossible to do.Yet, some companies do it by tweaking one tiny thing.We’ll talk about an industry that put three words on their packaging that doubled …
Show notes
Every company dreams of doubling its profit.
It’s almost impossible to do.
Yet, some companies do it by tweaking one tiny thing.
We’ll talk about an industry that put three words on their packaging that doubled their profit.
A company that created a catchy jingle that doubled their revenue overnight.
And a business that changed one single word in a headline and their profit went up 100%.
A favourite from our archives.
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Houston, We Have Pizza: Advertising in Outer Space
In this episode, we shoot for the moon.Now that commercialized space travel has arrived, the world of marketing is setting its sights on the stars.We’ll talk about ads on rocket ships, ads on spacesuits, and …
Show notes
In this episode, we shoot for the moon.
Now that commercialized space travel has arrived, the world of marketing is setting its sights on the stars.
We’ll talk about ads on rocket ships, ads on spacesuits, and television commercials filmed on the International Space Station.
There are companies who want to employ hundreds of tiny satellites to create logos in the night sky.
Some companies even want to put ads on the moon.
And those ads might even be cheaper than Super Bowl commercials.
From our 2024 Archives.
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Die Another Day: Reviving Old Commercials
From our archives, a favourite...Occasionally, an old advertising campaign is brought back from the dead.Even if it has been off the air for decades.In this episode, we’ll discuss a recurring Coke commercial …
Show notes
From our archives, a favourite...
Occasionally, an old advertising campaign is brought back from the dead.
Even if it has been off the air for decades.
In this episode, we’ll discuss a recurring Coke commercial that has been called the most popular ad of all time.
A much-loved beer campaign that has been revived after 34 years.
And a controversial commercial that was yanked off the air in 1989, but was re-run again recently.
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Bookmarks
Because Terry LOVES books, we do an annual Bookmarks episode. This one is from 2024.There’s never enough room to include all the great stories we find in our research books.So this episode is dedicated to all …
Show notes
Because Terry LOVES books, we do an annual Bookmarks episode. This one is from 2024.
There’s never enough room to include all the great stories we find in our research books.
So this episode is dedicated to all those stories that didn’t fit into our regular episodes.
The theme is “bravery” - and we’ll talk about how a brave goaltender revolutionized hockey, how Larry David routinely ignored studio executives, and we’ll salute the bravery of Lucille Ball.
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The Gong Show: Ads That Could Never (Ever) Run Today
In this episode, we go back in advertising history and take a look at the ads and commercials that could never, ever, EVER run today.They are either so politically incorrect, so sexist, or so inappropriate, you …
Show notes
In this episode, we go back in advertising history and take a look at the ads and commercials that could never, ever, EVER run today.
They are either so politically incorrect, so sexist, or so inappropriate, you won’t believe your ears.
From doctors recommending cigarettes, to 7-Up advertising to babies, to everyone singing about the joys of DDT, it’s amazing to think they all ran back in the day.
Ads that couldn’t run today.
From our 2024 Archives.
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How Jerry Goodis Made an Advertisement a Beautiful Thing
Jerry Goodis was one of the most colourful characters in the history of Canadian advertising.He founded a legendary advertising agency and created some of Canada’s longest-running ad campaigns. And while doing …
Show notes
Jerry Goodis was one of the most colourful characters in the history of Canadian advertising.
He founded a legendary advertising agency and created some of Canada’s longest-running ad campaigns. And while doing that, he attacked the ad industry for producing terrible ads. He was loved and hated but couldn’t be ignored.
Another favourite from our Archives.
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Putting the Awe in Audio
Taking a look at the most creative audio ideas from around the world. Including a podcast for runners that only works if you’re actually running, a police recruitment campaign that capitalized on the popularity …
Show notes
Taking a look at the most creative audio ideas from around the world.
Including a podcast for runners that only works if you’re actually running, a police recruitment campaign that capitalized on the popularity of True Crime, and a very ambitious alternative audio track created to be played over Disney’s Pocahontas movie – that tells the truth behind the fairy tale.
Another favourite from the Archives.
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Cars Are The Stars: Automobile Brands In Hollywood
Another favourite from our archives...Almost every movie and television show needs cars, and auto companies are happy to supply them – because it helps sell a lot of cars.We’ll look back at James Bond and …
Show notes
Another favourite from our archives...
Almost every movie and television show needs cars, and auto companies are happy to supply them – because it helps sell a lot of cars.
We’ll look back at James Bond and Starsky & Hutch, and explore auto partnerships with movie franchises like Transformers and Marvel.
We’ll also tell a crazy story of how the most sought-after car from a Steve McQueen movie was finally found – and the cosmic coincidence that led to its discovery.
Cars are the stars.
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Ham on Wry: All About Sandwich Board Advertising
From the Under The Influence Archives, one of our favourites....Take a walk down any busy main street, and you’ll probably see one of the oldest forms of advertising: The sandwich board. They have been around …
Show notes
From the Under The Influence Archives, one of our favourites....
Take a walk down any busy main street, and you’ll probably see one of the oldest forms of advertising:
The sandwich board.
They have been around for over 200 years.
Cities try and ban them.
Storekeepers love them.
They can make you smile.
They can make you angry.
They can attract a lot of attention.
They are the pop-up ads of the physical world.
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Pants are on Fire: When Customers Lie to Marketers
From The Under The Influence Archives...Customers often lie to companies in surveys, polls and focus groups.Yet advertisers rely on that flawed and false feedback to market brands and create advertising …
Show notes
From The Under The Influence Archives...
Customers often lie to companies in surveys, polls and focus groups.
Yet advertisers rely on that flawed and false feedback to market brands and create advertising campaigns.
So what are advertisers to do?
One solution is Google.
What we type into the Google search window is like a truth serum. We all pour our most intimate, honest questions into that search box.
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Cheeky Advertising
A favourite episode from our Archives....80% of all advertising is ignored.That’s why some advertisers employ cheeky advertising.It’s usually bold – outrageous – and sometimes even rude – but always with a …
Show notes
A favourite episode from our Archives....
80% of all advertising is ignored.
That’s why some advertisers employ cheeky advertising.
It’s usually bold – outrageous – and sometimes even rude – but always with a playful undertone.
We’ll talk about a fruit company that printed an open letter to the Pope.
An airline campaign that told you to “keep it in your pants.”
And a product that claims your grandparents had more sex than you.
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Billionaire Tourism for the Super Wealthy
An encore episode from the Under The Influence Archives. A very interesting favourite.Most tourism marketing aims at the largest audience possible.This week, we look at a sub-category aimed at the smallest …
Show notes
An encore episode from the Under The Influence Archives. A very interesting favourite.
Most tourism marketing aims at the largest audience possible.
This week, we look at a sub-category aimed at the smallest audience possible:
Billionaire Tourism.
The super wealthy get bored easily.
That means luxury tour planners dream up extreme vacation ideas.
From outer space, to the bottom of the ocean, to secretly getting the key to the Sistine Chapel, it’s a whole new pricey world.
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When You're This Big, They Call You Mister
From the Under The Influence Archives. One of our favourites.There are some time-honored honorifics in the world of marketing.“Honorifics” are titles like Mr., Mrs., Doctor, Captain or Colonel. Like Colonel …
Show notes
From the Under The Influence Archives. One of our favourites.
There are some time-honored honorifics in the world of marketing.
“Honorifics” are titles like Mr., Mrs., Doctor, Captain or Colonel.
Like Colonel Sanders, Dr. Scholl’s, Mr. Clean and Mrs. Butterworth’s.
They’re usually leaders in their category.
Is it because those products are the best?
Or – is it because those brand names give the products a sense of respect and authority.
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Seeing Is Believing: The Power of Demonstration Commercials - Part Two
An encore episode of Under The Influence.... one of our favourites.Last week, we talked about the best historic demonstration commercials of all time. This week, we feature some of the most recent.Like an air …
Show notes
An encore episode of Under The Influence.... one of our favourites.
Last week, we talked about the best historic demonstration commercials of all time. This week, we feature some of the most recent.
Like an air freshener commercial that tricked blindfolded people into thinking a filthy toilet smelled like flowers.
And a stunt where an ad agency put $3 million dollars between the glass in a bus shelter, unguarded on the street - to demonstrate a point.
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Seeing Is Believing: The Power of Demonstration Commercials
An encore episode of Under The Influence.... one of our favourites.This week, I ask a dozen of the top creative directors in the advertising business to tell me the best “demonstration commercials” they have …
Show notes
An encore episode of Under The Influence.... one of our favourites.
This week, I ask a dozen of the top creative directors in the advertising business to tell me the best “demonstration commercials” they have ever seen.
Because there is nothing more powerful than a dramatic product demonstration.
We’ll talk about a famous Krazy Glue commercial.
And a Volvo ad where the ad writer risked his life to demonstrate a point.
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Ask Terry 2026
This week, we open the show up to our listeners, and answer your very interesting questions.Ever wonder why gas station prices always include decimal points? Well, we’ll tell you why.We’ll listen to some …
Show notes
This week, we open the show up to our listeners, and answer your very interesting questions.
Ever wonder why gas station prices always include decimal points? Well, we’ll tell you why.
We’ll listen to some memorable commercials starring kids, and play “Where are they now.”
And we’ll talk about a famous luxury brand that is owned by a charity. And it will surprise you.
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Creativity is the Most Powerful Business Tool: Canadian Marketing Awards 2026
This week, we look at the level of advertising creativity north of the border.We’ll talk about a campaign that used real “sleep talking” to sell mattresses.We’ll explore a remarkable idea that transformed the …
Show notes
This week, we look at the level of advertising creativity north of the border.
We’ll talk about a campaign that used real “sleep talking” to sell mattresses.
We’ll explore a remarkable idea that transformed the annual migration of penguins into a protest march.
And we’ll look at a campaign that convinced people to donate to a cause that started 45 years ago, but had faded from memory.
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Flexi Discs
This week, we look at a humble marketing tool.The Flexi Disc.These razor-thin, flexible vinyl records had poor sound quality, but they helped sell cars, hit songs, chewing gum, soap operas and even Beatle …
Show notes
This week, we look at a humble marketing tool.
The Flexi Disc.
These razor-thin, flexible vinyl records had poor sound quality, but they helped sell cars, hit songs, chewing gum, soap operas and even Beatle records.
And in one case, a family won a million dollars with a flexi, and it nearly destroyed them.
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Joe Sedelmaier Tribute
This week, we pay tribute to one of the greatest commercial directors in the ad business.You may not know the late Joe Sedelmaier by name, but you certainly know his work.He directed the famous “Fast Talking …
Show notes
This week, we pay tribute to one of the greatest commercial directors in the ad business.
You may not know the late Joe Sedelmaier by name, but you certainly know his work.
He directed the famous “Fast Talking Man” ad for FedEx and a landmark commercial for Wendy’s that contained the line “Where’s the beef?”
I did several commercials with Sedelmaier, and he kicked me off the set of my own commercial once.
It’s a great story.
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Newsjacking
This encore episode of Under The Influence is one of our favourites of 2026.Lately, companies have been hijacking breaking news stories to create ads.When thieves broke into the Louvre with a ladder, the ladder …
Show notes
This encore episode of Under The Influence is one of our favourites of 2026.
Lately, companies have been hijacking breaking news stories to create ads.
When thieves broke into the Louvre with a ladder, the ladder company quickly produced a tongue-in-cheek ad.
When the Oscars read the wrong Best Picture winner, an optometry chain made fun of the mix-up.
It’s called Newsjacking – and it’s becoming a powerful marketing tactic.
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Bookmarks 2026
This week, it’s our annual Bookmarks episode.We read a lot of books to research this show. And this episode is dedicated to the great stories that didn’t fit into our regular season.We’ll talk about the …
Show notes
This week, it’s our annual Bookmarks episode.
We read a lot of books to research this show. And this episode is dedicated to the great stories that didn’t fit into our regular season.
We’ll talk about the importance of numbers in marketing, and a hilarious tale about expense reports.
And we’ll tell a story about a doctor who was drummed out of the medical establishment all because he insisted doctors wash their hands.
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Terry Guests on "White Coat, Black Art" with Dr. Brian Goldman
We're dropping an interview I recently did with Dr. Brian Goldman, host of White Coat, Black Art, an excellent CBC radio show and podcast into our feed. We're chatting about hospital advertising. And because …
Show notes
We're dropping an interview I recently did with Dr. Brian Goldman, host of White Coat, Black Art, an excellent CBC radio show and podcast into our feed. We're chatting about hospital advertising. And because they rely on fundraising, we discuss how effective hospital advertising is.
We thought you might find this topic interesting.
Enjoy.
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Debut Commercials - Part Two
It’s part two of our episode that revisits the very first commercials ever produced for famous products.From the very first commercial for something called the Big Mac, to the first TV ad for a new doll called …
Show notes
It’s part two of our episode that revisits the very first commercials ever produced for famous products.
From the very first commercial for something called the Big Mac, to the first TV ad for a new doll called Barbie, we take a trip back in time.
Including the very first commercials starring a couple of struggling actors who would go on to win Academy Awards.
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Debut Commercials
This week, we take a look at marketing firsts.Specifically, the very first commercials ever produced for famous products and companies.From the debut of the Jolly Green Giant, to the first AIDS PSAs, to the …
Show notes
This week, we take a look at marketing firsts.
Specifically, the very first commercials ever produced for famous products and companies.
From the debut of the Jolly Green Giant, to the first AIDS PSAs, to the very first pharmaceutical ad, all the way to the first iPhone commercial, we say hello to these products and issues for the very first time.
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Monumental Advertisements: Branded Buildings
This week, we talk about spectacular landmarks built by visionary entrepreneurs.These magnificent buildings stand in Toronto, New York and Chicago.They are all very different in design, built in different eras …
Show notes
This week, we talk about spectacular landmarks built by visionary entrepreneurs.
These magnificent buildings stand in Toronto, New York and Chicago.
They are all very different in design, built in different eras, but they share one thing in common.
They are all named after famous brands.
And it’s easy to forget that.
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Brand Envy (2026)
This week, it’s our annual Brand Envy episode, where I tip my hat to great ideas that have lasted for years.We’ll talk about a very funny character who has made the world laugh without uttering a single word.An …
Show notes
This week, it’s our annual Brand Envy episode, where I tip my hat to great ideas that have lasted for years.
We’ll talk about a very funny character who has made the world laugh without uttering a single word.
An idea that was born on the side of highways.
And we’ll talk about a movie that has had the longest run in cinema history.
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Rue McClanahan: Every Kick's A Boost
This week, we're dropping an episode from our sister podcast, "We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast". In this podcast series, we talk about the mountain of rejections famous and successful people had …
Show notes
This week, we're dropping an episode from our sister podcast, "We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast".
In this podcast series, we talk about the mountain of rejections famous and successful people had to overcome and how they did it.
In this episode, we talk about the golden piece of advice Rue McClanahan’s mother gave her when she was told she’d never make it in television.
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These are the latest 40 of 442 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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