Podcasting is NOT the new blogging. And… Will there ever be another Game Of Thrones-sized hit? Plus rants and raves about what happens when your Star Wars podcast attracts the attention of Luke Skywalker, himself. It’s episode 93 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re reading this by email, click here. Sample and subscribe to Medi

Disney and the future of TV. And… Has Apple poisoned Netflix? Plus rants and raves about the fallout of Dunkin’s decision to banish “Donuts” from its name and the phenomenon of “niche-ification.” It’s episode 92 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re reading this by email, click here. Sample and subscribe to Media Unplugged at App

Prediction: Big media will have its hands full with Netflix. And… Spotify and Gimlet and Anchor, oh my! Plus, rants and raves on “grit” and pop up service apps like Recharge (hotel-by-the-minute), Popup (ephemeral coffee shops), and Breather (on-demand private workspaces). It’s episode 91 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re rea

Photo by Jan Střecha on Unsplash How to blow up podcasting. And… 9 ways to innovate journalism – and media – online. Plus, rants and raves about Oscar’s new “Popular Film” category, the niche luxury brand of (wait for it) dental floss, and how 3 minutes of a podcast can generate tons of publicity for all the wrong reasons. It’s episode 86 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly tr

Disney’s mistakes are costing Star Wars. And… Facebook is losing its cool among teens. Plus, rants and raves about what’s wrong with online reviews, the Onion’s desperate attacks on Facebook as their traffic sinks, and more It’s episode 85 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re reading this by email, click here for the audio. Samp

Photo by Marian Chinciusan on Unsplash The end of authenticity. And… Will Amazon finally make TV’s smart AND friendly? Plus rants and raves about Ford halting production of most sedans, the phenomenon of micro-merchandising, and how Sherwin-Williams is using augmented reality. It’s episode 82 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re

Photo by Wayne Low on Unsplash The strategy behind Amazon’s Prime Video. And… MoviePass and the magic power of data. Plus rants and raves about Jesus Christ Superstar, the Star Wars theme park, and the new book “The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies.” It’s episode 81 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re reading thi

Long live fake fame! And… Is Facebook killing comedy? Plus, rants and raves on what a famous handbag owes to the back of an airplane sick-bag, the wondrous origin of the most famous Coke jingle in history, and the mystery surrounding the seeming impossibility to recreate Beyonce in wax. It’s episode 79 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And

Disney wants Fox…Now what? And… What consumers REALLY want from brands. And… Consumers are running away from advertising in droves. Plus, rants and raves about Netflix’s personalization not just of recommendations but even artwork images, James Franco’s terrific movie, The Disaster Artist, and more. It’s episode 76 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play butt

Is A&E creating cultural brands – or blowing smoke? And…Martin Scorcese doesn’t understand Rotten Tomatoes – and the feeling is mutual. Plus, rants and raves about Blue Apron’s new podcast (have you really been hungry for that?), the mental health challenges unique to musicians (or are they?), and what happens when a child’s “Anne Frank” Halloween costume becomes controversial and is re-labeled (hint: Nothing, unfortunately). It’s episode 73 of Media Unplugged with branding a

Daniel Craig as James Bond via 007.com Amazon is promising the NFL what nobody else can. And… Apple wants James Bond. Plus, rants and raves about a terrific new promotional app from TV’s The Walking Dead for Mountain Dew, the myth that the radio industry needs less regulation, and the strange phenomenon of “free range trees.” . It’s episode 71 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ug

6 second ads…B.S or the future? And… How Hallmark conquered Hollywood. Plus, rants and raves about what happens when you remove “donuts” from Dunkin Donuts, the scathing critique that almost doomed TV classic Seinfeld, and the billboard that features 43,412 movie nude scenes. It’s episode 69 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re

The diminishing returns of online advertising. And… Innovation lessons from the Grateful Dead. Plus, rants and raves about the mixed reaction to Lyft’s new “Taco mode,” the easy way to win with Snapchat – assuming you’re HBO’s Game of Thrones, and the “dark side” of Influencers: Douchebags. It’s episode 68 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below:

Pandora’s prospects: Gloomy. And… Can simple-priced generics topple your favorite brands? Plus, rants and raves about the role of desire in every decision you make, and why it’s time to stop making “an IMDB for podcasts.” It’s episode 67 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re reading this by email, click here for the audio. Sample

Twitter’s Misbegotten Live Video Strategy. And…Champagne and Caviar Dreams, Meet Cold Hard Cash. Plus, rants and raves about the visual effects artist with the most amazing video to sell his used car – ever, and more. It’s episode 63 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. This episode is brought to you by StackAdapt,  an omnichannel digital advertising platform that helps brands accelerate customer acquisition. Listen as we go

Amazon lands NFL streaming rights…So what? And… Should Twitter be charging? Plus, rants and raves about Netflix’s new ratings system, the value of authenticity (or lack thereof) in Pepsi’s aborted new campaign, and more. It’s episode 61 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. This episode is brought to you by StackAdapt,  an omnichannel digital advertising platform that helps brands accelerate customer acquisition. Sources: htt

10 media trends you need to know. And… Niche! It’s the new mainstream! Plus, rants and raves about lying with podcast trend statistics and more. It’s episode 60 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re reading this by email, click here for the audio. Sample and subscribe to Media Unplugged at iTunes. Or do the same at Stitcher. Or G

Apple says fake news is “killing people’s minds” – really? And… Publishing platform Medium crashes – and idealism burns. Plus, rants and raves about Oscar-nominated screenwriters sharing some hilarious studio notes, and more. It’s episode 58 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the play button below: And if you’re reading this by email, click here for the audio. Sa

Will ad-blocking save the advertising industry? And… The best marketer of the year? Your fans! Plus, rants and raves about the app that fixes your complexion so you don’t have to, the history of the Christmas tree, and how one business guru needs a dose of his own medicine. It’s episode 55 – the final chapter of the year – of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to reveal the ugly truth! Click the p

Starbucks’ media empire strikes back! And… Brands beware: McDonald’s YouTube Fail. Plus, rants and raves about the bot that argues with Internet trolls so you don’t have to, new research revealing that many of us lie about what we watch on TV, and a great Airbnb promotion where the grand prize is a night in Dracula’s castle – in a coffin. It’s episode 52 of Media Unplugged with branding authority Tom Asacker and media strategist Mark Ramsey. Listen as we go inside media to re