In a rapidly changing world, advertisement is always evolving. But what has been left to perish? What are the advertising strategies that don't work anymore? And is there any hope of bringing them back? Shelby Hagerdon and Matt Vojacek memorialize these dead advertising strategies of the past while asking the question, “Maybe they were just misunderstood?” In an age of trends, perhaps it’s time to look backwards for inspiration.

Two months ago, Duolingo was at the top of its game. An untouchable marketing team with their beloved, chaotic owl mascot. But at the end of May, they announced they would be taking an “AI first approach.” The approach seemed innovative, but they also mentioned that they were replacing contractors with AI. Suddenly, everyone remembered that Duolingo is more than memes and languages - it’s also a tech company. And their younger audience who is already afraid of being replaced by AI turned on the owl, raising a lot of questions not only about the brand but about the future of work in general - all with Duo at the center.

So what happens when your marketing, your CEO, and your values don’t align?

And is marketing powerful enough to move past this kind of controversy?

Shelby and Matt explore the evolving landscape of content marketing, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and audience connection. They discuss various examples of brands like L'Oreal, Shopify, Pepsi, and H&R Block that have successfully integrated show business into their marketing strategies. The conversation highlights the shift towards long-form content, the significance of authenticity, and the future of brand storytelling in a rapidly changing digital environment.