Manipulating The Masses

Epizode

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  How Coachella Became Ground Zero for Instagram Culture 18.06.2025 1h 14min

  Welcome back to Manipulating the Masses – the podcast where two marketers talk marketing and manipulation and how we're really good at both.This week, we’re diving into the wild origin story and marketing evolution of Coachella, the festival that went from an anti-Ticketmaster rebellion to a $100M+ cultural phenomenon.We’ll break down:• How Pearl Jam vs. Ticketmaster sparked a movement• Five facts you didn’t know about Coachella’s rise• The marketing playbook: tiered pricing, experiential sponsorships, and influencer domination• Why brands like Revolve, H&M, AmEx, and Absolut reshaped the desert experience• How Coachella became ground zero for Instagram culture and the shadow economy of “off-site exclusives”Uncover what Coachella can teach every marketer, founder, and content creator about building a brand with staying power.Grab your flower crown — or at least your AirPods — and tune in to find out how main character energy, marketing genius, and perfect lighting turned Coachella into a business empire.To learn more, visit our website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Product Placement & Cannabis Legalization 29.09.2021 46min

  Kaitlin & Zach explore how the government utilized product placement campaigns within movies in the 30s to manipulate the public perception of cannabis throughout the United States.Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Sales Strategy & MLMs 29.09.2021 1h 6min

  Kaitlin & Zach examine the sales tactics used by Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) companies, and how those companies dupe people into falling for the traps and allure of a "self-starter" lifestyle.Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  SEO, PPC, & Scientology 29.09.2021 1h 10min

  Kaitlin & Zach examine the history and recruiting strategies for the notorious Church of Scientology. Including the sophisticated search engine marketing campaign run by their mega "religion".Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Personal Branding & #GirlBoss 29.09.2021 52min

  Kaitlin & Zach examine the rise and fall of the #GirlBoss movement. As well as the foundations of the movement, key players, and how the movement has created a toxic trend of female business leaders.Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Public Relations & UFO Cover-Ups 29.09.2021 1h 6min

  Kaitlin & Zach examine the press tactics used by the US Government over the past 70 years in regards to denying the existence of UFOs and witnesses throughout the United States.Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Branding & Subliminal Messaging 12.10.2021

  Kaitlin and Zach explore the effectiveness of subliminal messaging and how companies are utilizing subliminal tactics to increase sales and market share.Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Brand Storytelling & Elizabeth Holmes 26.10.2021 1h 5min

  Kaitlin and Zach examine the rise and fall of the notorious founder of Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes. How she utilized the art of PR and storytelling to amass huge investments from powerful people, all for a product that didn't work.Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Email Marketing & Nigerian Princes 09.11.2021 1h 6min

  Kaitlin and Zach explore the email marketing tactics behind the infamous Nigerian Prince scams that have plagued US citizens out of millions for over a decade.Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Data Analysis & The Bachelorette 16.11.2021 1h

  Kaitlin & Zach dive into the historical data of the 42 seasons of The Bachelor / Bachelorette series. Using data analysis, they predict who will win the current season featuring Bachelorette, Michelle Young.Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Campaign Breakdown: Got Milk? 30.11.2021

  Kaitlin and Zach look at the strategy, implementation, and results of the infamous Got Milk? campaigns that were utilized throughout the 90s and early 2000s. How did such a simple campaign have such a big result? And did it benefit our health or the pockets of the milk producers?Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Social Media & Anti-Vaxxers 23.11.2021 1h 10min

  Zach and Kaitlin take a look at how social media algorithms have been used by a small number of people to promote Anti-Vax conspiracies, convince millions of Americans not to get the vaccine, and manipulate the national conversation.Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  E-Commerce & Holiday Shopping 14.12.2021 1h 10min

  Kaitlin and Zach review some of the below-board marketing tactics large companies use to gain a digital advantage during the holiday season.Follow Us On Instagram: @mcmillanphillips.agencyGet In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Gender Roles In Advertising | Part One 04.01.2022 36min

  Kaitlin and Zach explore the marketing tactics and long-term effects of gender roles portrayed in advertising throughout the 1800s - 1960s.Want more details about the information from this episode?Join our Facebook Group 👉 https://bit.ly/3JpL8prFollow us on social media to stay up to date with our agency 👇Facebook: https://bit.ly/3JltkMtLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Jn614PInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eunGcwTwitter: https://bit.ly/3sKMJQTGet In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Gender Roles In Advertising | Part Two 11.01.2022 47min

  Kaitlin and Zach examine the new age of hyper-sexualization of women in advertising, and how that trend has created a massive negative effect on body image for both young girls and boys throughout the world.Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  The Marketing of Megachurches 18.01.2022 48min

  Kaitlin and Zach look at the marketing tactics behind some of the most wealthy church leaders in the United States. Using their tool, the duo puts together a campaign for marketing churches to millennials & Gen Z.Get In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Company Culture & WeWork 25.01.2022 40min

  Zach and Kaitlin explore the rise and fall of WeWork, and how company culture can benefit and hurt companies of all sizes.Want more details about the information from this episode?Join our Facebook Group 👉 https://bit.ly/3JpL8prFollow us on social media to stay up to date with our agency 👇Facebook: https://bit.ly/3JltkMtLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Jn614PInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eunGcwTwitter: https://bit.ly/3sKMJQTGet In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Donation Marketing & The Red Cross 08.02.2022 39min

  Kaitlin and Zach explore the messaging and marketing tactics used by The American Red Cross, as well as some disinformation surrounding how the organization spends its $3b in revenue.Want more details about the information from this episode? Join our Facebook Group 👉 https://bit.ly/3JpL8prFollow us on social media to stay up to date with our agency 👇Facebook: https://bit.ly/3JltkMtLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Jn614PInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eunGcwTwitter: https://bit.ly/3sKMJQT
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  TV Media & The Satanic Panic 15.02.2022 1h 5min

  Kaitlin & Zach explore how the business of television helped spread the Satanic Panic that gripped families throughout the 80s, and how similar tactics were used to fuel QAnon and The Salem Witch Trials.Want more details about the information from this episode?Join our Facebook Group 👉 https://bit.ly/3JpL8prFollow us on social media to stay up to date with our agency 👇Facebook: https://bit.ly/3JltkMtLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Jn614PInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eunGcwTwitter: https://bit.ly/3sKMJQTGet In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/
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  Rebranding & The WWF 22.02.2022 47min

  Kaitlin and Zach examine some good and bad rebranding efforts by companies, and also look at the legal battle over the branding of WWF.Follow us on social media to stay up to date with our agency 👇Facebook: https://bit.ly/3JltkMtLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Jn614PInstagram: https://bit.ly/3eunGcwTwitter: https://bit.ly/3sKMJQTGet In Touch: [email protected] Our Website: https://mcmillanphillips.com/manipulating-the-masses-podcast/