You don’t always know it’s an ick… until it icks. 😬

In this episode, we unpack the rise of “the ick” — where it comes from, how personal icks can be, and how brands (for better or worse) try to use icks in marketing. Can marketers successfully lean into consumer turn-offs? Or does it backfire?

Plus:
🔥 This week’s Marketing Hot Take
⚡ A rapid-fire round of Ick or Not That Deep? Play along!

🎧 Tune in now to The Icks: Unplugged!

2-4-6-8 — who do we appreciate? Mascots!

In this episode, we're diving headfirst into the world of brand mascots. From the psychology behind why they work, to which ones are boosting brands… and which ones might actually be holding them back (hot take: is Flo from Progressive past her prime?).

Who’s your favorite mascot of all time? Did they make our list?

We’re also playing a game called Mascot Confessionals, where we imagine what mascots would say if they could finally speak their truth.

And for the first time ever… Deanna didn’t do her homework (but don’t worry — Ashley's got it covered).

🎧 Listen to The Mascot Effect: Unplugged wherever you get your podcasts.

What do Victoria’s Secret, Peloton, and Toys R Us all have in common? They’ve made it to the hot seat on this week’s Fix That Brand episode!

Join Ashley and Deanna as they go full strategy mode—rewriting taglines, reimagining brand positioning, and dishing out fresh marketing ideas to bring these iconic brands into their next era. Spoiler: we’re not afraid to say what needs to be said.

Plus, in this week’s Marketing Hot Take, we’re shouting out Bark for their email game (yes, we open every single one).

🎧 Tune in to Fix That Brand: Unplugged, available wherever you listen to podcasts.

🔁 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and send us the brands you think need a glow-up!

Pour the gravy and grab a seat — it’s a Ducksgiving special!

In this episode of Ducksgiving: Unplugged, Deanna and Ashley carve into the Thanksgiving marketing landscape and uncover the truth behind marketing at this time of year. From tear-jerker ads to retail hysteria, we explore why brands go one of two ways — heartfelt or frenzied — and which actually works. We share the campaigns that hit us in the feels… and the ones that missed the mashed potatoes entirely.

🦃 Each Duck also shares two things they’re truly grateful for this year — and two things they’ve officially had ENOUGH of. (Yes, we went there.)

🦃 And who doesn't love some brand superlatives? The Golden Turkey Award? The Crazy Uncle Award? And whose not invited back next year? We give our honest (and unfiltered) takes on which brands earned a seat at the Thanksgiving table.

It’s fun. It’s real. It’s a little roasted.
😉 Pull up your stretchy pants and give us a listen — it’s Ducksgiving!

It’s our monthly Duck Debate… Thanksgiving style! 🍗🍂

This one is stuffed with opinions, laughter, and a few debates that may ruin family dinners forever. We're diving headfirst into holiday hot topics like:

🥧 Is pie really a Thanksgiving-worthy dessert?
🍎 Is apple picking totally overrated?
🍺 Should kids be allowed in breweries?
🦃 And which of these horrifying fake side dishes would YOU rather eat?

🎧 Listen to Duck Debate (Turkey Day Edition): Mini.

This week, we’re tapping into every sense—because great marketing isn’t just seen… it’s smelled, heard, tasted, and felt. Marketing is a full‑body experience, and today we prove it. Erin Campbell joins us for a wild episode where we talk:

🧠 How senses shape what consumers buy (and what brands are doing it well)
🦆 What the Duck: Are you ready for… ads on your fridge?!
🤫 The 5 Senses Blind Marketing Test: We’re blindfolded, trying to guess the brand using only our senses.

This one is meant to be watched—so grab the YouTube version (@DucksUnplugged) if you want to see the mayhem unfold.

🎧 Listen now and test your sensory marketing skills along with us!

It’s officially official — Duck Debate is now a monthly fixture, and this one might ruffle a few feathers. 🦆

In this episode, Ashley and Deanna dive beak-first into the hot takes and heated debates—from pumpkin spice overload and dogs in the bed to whether Taylor Swift is (gasp) overhyped. Oh, and did someone say ketchup smoothie?

💬 Agree with us? Think we’re completely unhinged? Either way, we want to know. Join the debate and drop your thoughts on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook @DucksUnplugged.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

In this spooktacular Halloween edition of Ducks Unplugged, we’re serving up creative costumes (with an outfit change!) and clever marketing insights. 👻

💀 We’re talking FEAR in marketing — how it motivates consumers and when it actually works (looking at you, Mayhem from Allstate).
🎵 In What the Duck, we ask: where have all the theme songs gone?!
🎃 Plus, we reveal our Halloween costumes inspired by one of our favorite podcasts and some iconic brands, talk about the companies that own Halloween, and play a little game of Monster + Brand Mash-Up.

If you love pop culture, seasonal marketing, and a little chaos with your strategy, this one's for you.
➡️ Hit follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Ducks Unplugged.