Nerd Alert: When Ads Make Us Cringe

Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We’re breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.In this episode, Elena and Rob explore why sustainabilit ...  Show more

7 in 10 people globally say they're hesitant to trust someone different from them, according to the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer. Trust is getting more personal. So where does that leave brands? This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob explore what it really means to build a brand in a ...  Show more

Super Bowl ads: they can be brilliant, they can be cringeworthy, and sometimes, they can just make you question everything. Welcome to part two where Ralph and Lauren go all in on the weirdest, most awkward, and most controversial ads of the year. From Coffee Mate’s disturbing to ...  Show more

Colin tests us on big-time embarrassing goofs in the world of music, politics, and sports! Ever been surprised/haunted by a truly embarrassing memory from the past? Find out why we have these cringe attacks. Adele Nazeem's got nothing on Chris in his awkward award show moment cha ...  Show more

For performance marketers, having the right creative is essential. That’s why conducting research and pretesting to better understand the consumer are more important than winning awards—and ultimately will be better for the bottom line. In this episode, we’re talking with Rob DeM ...  Show more

Super Bowl ads aren’t just commercials—they’re a cultural moment, a case study in brand impact, and a $7 million gamble for 30 seconds of airtime. In this episode, Ralph and Lauren break down the best, the worst, and the most effective ads from this year’s game. From Wanda Sykes ...  Show more