After These Messages Podcast

Andrew's 3rd or 4th worst phobia inspires Vieves to explore all the ways that plummeting to the ground is a metaphor for modern capitalism. Plus, an Ad Councilor's child becomes the unwitting puppet of Big Toilet Paper.

A domestic misunderstanding leads to a show about bears in which Vieves somehow achieves a new level of sanctimony. Plus, the Ad Council notices a creepy AI commercial that may also foretell the future of parenting.

Vieves takes over this week to sing the praises of Zillow's versatile new spokesperson and the sheer brilliance of a new campaign from the Lifetime Movie Network. Plus, a weirdly familiar musical score takes everyone on a trip to the dark web.

Invisible men, women and cars are put to work selling everything from blue jeans to mortgage lenders, raising some uncomfortable questions about nudity in the invisible community. Plus, both Star Trek and John Oliver inspire local advertisers to greatness.

In the spirit of Halloween, Andrew tries to trick Vieves with some treat-filled commercials. Plus, an Ad Councilor finds a surprising life insurance ad, and Vieves and Andrew are appalled - as usual - by the patriarchy's idea of a sexy romp.

Andrew's newest obsession is revealed to be a campaign for a mattress retail giant with a surprising flair for the surreal. Plus, Vieves gets a lesson in dialectology, and a grocery store chain takes a long overdue poke at the French.

A deep dive into the trendiest of trending YouTube videos yields a trove of pre-roll ads that captured Vieves' imagination. Plus, the Ad Council is full-on free-associating the oddball grocery store names of this great nation.

What can't a man on bended knee sell to consumers? Andrew and Vieves look at ads that ask you to make a lifetime commitment. Plus, Vieves is outraged by the chutzpah of a vacation rental service, and Andrew finds the limits of some hometown heroes.

Genevieve and Andrew spend today’s episode doing what they do best: Letting someone else produce the show! Listener Megan created a playlist of new and noteworthy commercials with insights and commentary that Andrew only wishes he could muster. They also stumble on the best Star Trek commercial ever produced.

Fabled tight end and genial meathead Rob Gronkowski is really raking in the ad dollars lately, with mixed results. Plus, Uber Eats finally picks some winners, and it turns out Doublemint Gum has had many more jingles than we even realized.

Andrew has some troubles with doubles in a look at commercials that suggest all kinds of messed-up ideas about twins. Plus, the Ad Council has some new entries for the gross-out files, and a new jingle is both annoying AND incomprehensible.

Vieves rounds up a collection of current ads that grabbed her attention and raised her ire. Plus, a handful of haters put ATM in its place with one-star reviews, while a jingle singer reviews her own performance.

The American work ethic - stuff of legends, font of American exceptionalism, and a reason to buy a luxury car or a plane ticket. Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that champion (and occasionally deride) tireless labor for the Man. Plus, apparently kids are filthy. N'est-ce pas?

Andrew and Genevieve hone their hypothetical parenting skills with commercials for products designed to get kids to do their chores. Plus, a listener recalls a bygone commercial era that sends Andrew down a rabbit hole. And a jingle loop is closed.

Sometimes it's your enemy who sees your truest self. At least, that's what this week's advertisers seemed to think when they made strawmen the faces of their campaigns. Plus, the Ad Council issues a ruling on airborne landmark identification, and a Pringles ad takes awkwardness to a new, hilarious level.

When policing tactics aren't being used to oppress the masses, they're put to work selling fancy coffee blends and fantasy football leagues. Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that take the law into their own hands. Plus, a 70's toy company is a treasure trove of advertising delights, and a train song gets a workout.

Summer is the season of picnics and road trips, and America's sandwich giants have left no celebrity stone unturned in the battle for the consumer dollar. Plus, Pete Davidson has some regrets, Andrew and Vieves play a train jingle that might be familiar, and a cat does tricks.

Everyone knows that dreams make for boring conversation, but do they make for interesting commercials? Andrew quizzes Vieves on ads that may - or may not - rely on dreams to make their pitch. Plus, a car ad is a total copycat and a pooping aid cries sexism.

Andrew and Vieves look at ads that rely on the time-worn trope of convincing a skeptic to abandon their cynical ways. Plus, a 70's toy ad sparks a discussion of wheelie techniques and a cartoon baker goes mad.

We know we're not supposed to believe everything we see on TV, but when advertisers straight-up lie to us, that crosses a line. Andrew and Vieves look at campaigns that were too good to be true. Plus, Andrew is excited to discover a breakfast beer at last.