In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer shares a dynamic panel discussion from SXSW 2025, titled Enough with the Delving: Staying Human in the Age of AI. With insights from industry experts, the conversation addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in communication and marketing.

Melina moderates a lively discussion featuring Usama Fayyad, Joanna Lepore, and Ben Guttmann, who explore the implications of AI on human interaction and decision-making. They delve into the balance between leveraging AI as a tool and maintaining the essential human touch in branding and marketing efforts. The panelists share their perspectives on the risks of over-reliance on AI, the importance of critical thinking, and the potential for innovation when humans and AI work together effectively.

In this episode:

• Discover the key challenges of communicating effectively in the age of AI.
• Explore how AI can enhance or hinder human creativity and critical thinking.
• Learn about the importance of maintaining a human connection in marketing and branding.
• Understand the ethical considerations and biases associated with AI technologies.
• Gain insights on how organizations can navigate their AI journey while prioritizing human elements.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/511.

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In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer sits down with Dr. Jake Teeny, an assistant professor of marketing at the Kellogg School of Management. Together, they delve into the world of advertising, specifically focusing on what makes an ad ineffective. They discuss the common pitfalls brands encounter, from failures of attention to unclear messaging and memory issues. Jake shares insights from his extensive research on social influence and persuasion, helping listeners understand how to create more impactful advertisements while avoiding the mistakes that lead to cringe-worthy campaigns.

Melina and Jake explore the importance of having a clear objective for advertisements, the dangers of overloading messages, and the need for emotional resonance in ads to enhance memorability. They also touch on the consequences of failing to distinguish your brand in a crowded market, and how tunnel vision can lead to offensive or tone-deaf marketing efforts. The episode wraps up with Jake’s actionable framework for evaluating ads, ensuring you’re on the right track to creating memorable and effective marketing communications.

In this episode:

• Discover the two main types of ineffective ads and how they can waste resources.
• Learn the importance of having a clear objective and specific goals for your advertising campaigns.
• Understand the impact of emotional high points on memory retention and brand recall.
• Explore the concept of “tunnel vision” and how it can lead to misjudged advertising strategies.
• Gain insights into the ad plan framework to evaluate and improve your advertising efforts.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/509.

Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further?

Learn With Us on our website.

Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites.

Let’s connect:

• Send Us a Message
• Follow Melina on LinkedIn
• The Brainy Business on Youtube
• The Brainy Business on Instagram