This week, Keith and Brendan dig into how brands rebuild trust after fear and failure. From AI companies opening real-world pop-up cafés to Blue Bell’s listeria scare. They talk timing, transparency, and why speed isn’t the same as strategy. Plus, how product teams and marketers wrestle over deadlines, and what happens when a feature is not ready but the campaign can’t wait.

This week, Keith and Brendan dive into the psychology of attention. How controversy, chaos, and corn mazes can sometimes drive more awareness than success itself. From North Korea’s overturned world record lift to the viral downfall of the Arizona Cardinals, they unpack why audiences flock to failure, not perfection.

Later, they break down Maxwell House’s tongue-in-cheek rebrand and discuss how nostalgia brands are trying to connect with modern consumers without crossing into cringe. This along with travel delays, haunted forests, and a surprisingly deep discussion about the marketing efficiency ratio.

Keith and Brendan dig into the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways brands keep consumers from noticing when prices rise or products shrink. From distraction marketing to brand voice to why sales still hook us, this episode unpacks the tricks behind the shelf. Plus, a lively round of listener questions from The Water Cooler about B2B vs B2C marketing and much more.

Music: “SafetyNet” by Drey Voss