Death to the Corporate Video

Episodes

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  Why I spent half a million dollars on brand 24.07.2026 9m

  Brand isn't just a marketing expense. It's one of the best long-term investments you can make as a business owner. In this episode, Guy Bauer steps away from filmmaking and creative direction to talk owner-to-owner about why Umault has invested more than half a million dollars into building its brand over the past seven years. Drawing from his own experience of putting marketing on pause while making his feature film Ana the Cleaner, he explains why strong brands continue generating results long after campaigns end. If you're focused entirely on short-term lead generation, this episode is a reminder that the strongest businesses are built by investing in something people remember long after they've seen it.
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  How to get leads now (2026 edition) 13.07.2026 11m

  If you've ever wished you could flip a switch and instantly generate more leads, this episode is for you. Guy Bauer explains why "getting leads" is the wrong goal, and why leads are actually the byproduct of a disciplined, long-term marketing system. Using Umault's own experience, he shares why it took more than a year to generate the agency's first inbound lead, introduces David C. Baker's water pump analogy for building marketing momentum, and explains why consistency beats quick fixes every time. Then, Guy delivers on the promise with two practical ways to generate leads faster: targeting the 5% of buyers who are already in-market through bottom-of-funnel marketing, and creating one bold, opinionated video that earns attention and fills your pipeline. If you're tired of "get leads fast" marketing promises and want a more realistic framework for building demand, this episode is for you.
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  Stop trying so hard 25.06.2026 12m

  Ever notice that the projects you obsess over end up feeling... overworked? In this episode, Guy shares a lesson he's still learning himself: sometimes the best creative comes when you stop trying so hard. He explores why overthinking can kill great ideas, how to build "creative pauses" into your process, and why separating brainstorming from editing leads to stronger work.
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  One year after Veo 3: Here’s what I actually think about AI video 18.05.2026 8m

  A year after Veo 3 changed the video world, what’s actually happened? In this episode of Death to the Corporate Video, Guy Bauer breaks down where AI video stands today - from rapidly improving quality to why AI performances still feel strangely “non-human.” Guy shares his thoughts on: Why AI video is becoming its own category of animation Why great ideas are still the hardest part Why the novelty phase is already over Why taste and storytelling matter more than ever The tools got better. The real question is: does anyone have something worth saying?
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  Make it clear or don’t make it 04.05.2026 5m

  Most marketers think they have a creative problem. They don’t. They have a clarity problem. In this episode of Death to the Corporate Video, Guy talks about why clarity is the single most important - and most overlooked - ingredient in effective video ads. Borrowing from Dave Ramsey (“to be unclear is to be unkind”) and filmmaker Errol Morris (“subtlety is for amateurs”), Guy breaks down why confusing ads fail… and why clarity isn’t something you can fix in post - it has to be baked in from the very beginning. If your audience is only giving you half their attention (and they are), your job isn’t to be clever. It’s to be understood. Clear visuals. Clear concepts. Clear dialogue. Or don’t bother.
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  4 B2B video ad trends for 2026 17.04.2026 12m

  In this episode of Death to the Corporate Video, Guy Bauer breaks down four major B2B video trends shaping 2026, and what they actually mean for marketers trying to stand out. From the rise of AI-written scripts (and why they’re making everything feel painfully average) to the explosion of Apple-style product launch videos, Guy unpacks how sameness is creeping back into B2B, and how you can use that to your advantage. He also dives into why vertical video is no longer optional and why every company is rapidly becoming a media company, whether they like it or not. Finally, he tackles a surprising shift: creativity in B2B has officially gone mainstream. That’s the good news. The bad news? You can’t win just by being “different” anymore. If you’re trying to punch above your weight, capture attention, and avoid blending into a sea of safe, forgettable content—this episode is your playbook.
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  We're making a movie! 22.01.2026 7m

  Guy Bauer shares why he stepped away from client work to make his first feature film - and how breaking big projects into small tasks makes the impossible doable.
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  Why Umault's work works 25.11.2025 7m

  For our 100th episode, host Guy Bauer shares the real secret behind Umault’s best work - a lesson sparked by a surprising message from Ann Handley. Instead of starting with strategy or “what works,” great B2B creative begins with three things: joy, experimentation, and fearless truth-telling. In this episode, Guy breaks down why most brands get this backwards, how honesty creates connection, and why taking creative risks pays off more than playing it safe. If you’re tired of corporate white noise and want your ideas to actually stand out, this one’s for you.
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  What is your brand fighting against? 02.10.2025 5m

  Host Guy Bauer shares a dead-simple exercise he gives every new client: define the enemy. Instead of obsessing over ICPs and feature lists, ask, “What is our brand fighting against?” Guy shows how this lens clarifies creative choices with quick reads on iconic brands like Nike (hesitation and self-doubt), Apple (conformity and complexity), Slack (email chaos), and HubSpot (overly complex business tools). Guy pushes listeners to go beyond the obvious (e.g., cybersecurity isn’t just “viruses” but the quality of how threats are addressed) and to identify a distinctive, ownable foe, like Liquid Death waging war on “boring,” not merely thirst.
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  The biggest lesson I've learned about marketing 05.09.2025 4m

  In this episode, Guy Bauer, founder and creative director of Umault, shares the single biggest lesson he’s learned about marketing: never stop. Through analogies ranging from hand-pumped water wells to Top Gun, Guy explains why consistency matters more than perfection, why most marketing efforts will fail before they succeed, and why hitting pause is the most dangerous move a brand can make. If you’ve ever been tempted to cut spend or stop campaigns because results look flat, this short, punchy episode will remind you why momentum is everything.
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  5 things to know before making an AI video ad 21.08.2025 12m

  AI video ads are here, but are they ready for prime time? In this episode of Death to the Corporate Video, Umault founder and creative director Guy Bauer shares the five things you need to know before diving in. From the murky legal landscape, to the limits of what AI actually solves, to the backlash (and wasted credits) you should expect - Guy breaks down the realities of making AI-generated ads after producing four of them himself. Whether you’re curious about the potential of AI in video marketing or wondering how to avoid the biggest pitfalls, this episode will help you understand where the magic is—and where the hype ends.
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  The best b2b video ads have these three things 03.07.2025 7m

  In this episode, Guy Bauer — founder and creative director of Umault — breaks down the three essential ingredients that make B2B video ads actually work. Guy kicks things off with an exciting personal update: he’s making his first feature film, documenting the journey on YouTube under the playlist Guy Makes a Movie. Then, he dives into the core topic: #1 - Characters with a Point of View Guy explains how memorable B2B ads feature characters who stand for something - with a strong belief, purpose, or perspective that drives the story. Whether they’re representing the old way or the new way, their convictions fuel engagement. #2 - One Message Forget packing in 42 “key” messages. The best ads have a single, clear takeaway - one idea, powerfully expressed. Guy uses the Palms Casino’s “From Dust to Gold” campaign as a brilliant example of sticking to a singular message. #3 - Conflict Compelling stories need friction. Conflict - whether it’s character versus character, versus nature, or even an outdated system - gives the audience a reason to keep watching. Without conflict, you’re basically selling paper towels, and nobody cares.
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  How B2B Video Marketing Is Changing in 2025 (And What to Do About It) 18.06.2025 8m

  In this episode of Death to the Corporate Video, Guy Bauer, founder and creative director of Umault, breaks down the three biggest shifts shaping B2B video marketing in 2025: -The Liquid Death-ification of B2B – Everyone wants to be the next Jester Brand like Liquid Death or Duolingo, but should your brand be funny? Guy explores why brand honesty matters more than trend-chasing. -The Death of the Corporate LinkedIn Profile – Organic reach is dead, and your carefully built follower count might be meaningless. Discover what this means for distribution and how to adapt your video strategy. -The Rise (and Slop) of AI Video – AI tools promise viral content at scale, but at what cost to your brand? Learn how to use AI without losing your identity in a sea of soulless content. Tune in for a candid and practical look at how to stay smart and sane as B2B video enters a new era.
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  Entertaining your audience is no longer optional 06.06.2025 8m

  AI-powered video tools have made glossy production values a commodity, so what’s left to set your brand apart? In this punchy episode, host Guy Bauer (founder & creative director of Umault) serves up a hard truth: entertaining your audience is now non-negotiable. Guy unpacks how next-gen platforms like Veo 3, Kling 2.1, and a flood of other text-to-video engines have leveled the playing field. Anybody can crank out a slick 30-second spot with “people laughing at sinks” (listen to the episode for this to make sense), holographic dashboards, and a generic voice-over. The result? Those once-premium visuals are just table stakes. Drawing on a tongue-in-cheek cybersecurity ad he generated in seconds, Guy illustrates why story, and genuine viewer delight, are the new differentiators. Whether you’re an in-house B2B marketer, agency lead, or brand storyteller, you’ll leave with a clear mandate: stop blending in and start delivering value within the ad itself. Listen for a dose of reality, a spark of inspiration, and a challenge to make your next video ad impossible to ignore.
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  Why B2B marketers need AI — and a firm hand on the wheel 08.05.2025 13m

  In this episode of Death to the Corporate Video, host Guy Bauer dives headfirst into the present (not future!) impact of AI on marketing, creativity, and daily work. Guy shares his candid thoughts on how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we create — not by replacing human thinking, but by revolutionizing execution. He draws personal parallels from his own life, from early parenting lessons to a long-dreamed Star Wars parody he finally brought to life using AI tools. Guy unpacks why AI is still just a tool, why your creative gut is irreplaceable, and how marketers and creatives can (and should) harness AI’s power today without surrendering control. If you’re wondering where we are on the AI adoption curve — and how to stay human in the process — this episode is for you.
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  Go with your gut (yes, even in B2B) 24.04.2025 10m

  Is there a formula for creativity? Should you be A/B testing your way to brilliance? Or should you… just trust your gut? In this episode, Guy Bauer, founder and creative director of Umault, takes us on a winding (and delightfully unfiltered) journey through the unpredictable world of creativity. From Reddit deep-dives on The Godfather to JFK conspiracy theories to rejected scripts that went viral, Guy makes the case that in B2B marketing—and all creative work, really—your instincts are smarter than you think. Whether you're a CMO, a VP of Brand, a fellow agency dweller, or yes, even a cobbler, this one's for you. 🎯 Why following the "rules" can kill your best ideas 🎬 What Mario Puzo can teach us about creative confidence 🧠 Why your gut might be the most underrated framework in marketing Listen in and rediscover the weird magic of trusting yourself (or at least your agency's gut).
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  Why you should invest in creative B2B video ads 20.03.2025 8m

  In this concise yet insightful episode of Death to the Corporate Video, host Guy Bauer, founder and creative director of Umault—a B2B video ad agency—tackles a simple but pivotal question: Why should you invest in creative B2B video ads? Drawing an analogy to the classic carnival mallet game, Guy illustrates how “safe” and uncreative ads carry the same risk of failure as creative ads, but offer a significantly lower potential upside. By breaking down the concept of risk versus reward, he shows how taking even a modest creative leap can set you miles apart from the sea of “safe” B2B campaigns. Ultimately, Guy makes the case that if the downside is the same, it’s worth aiming for the higher ceiling that truly creative advertising provides.
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  Six ways to raise your chances of going viral 27.02.2025 15m

  In this episode of Death to the Corporate Video, host Guy Bauer—founder and creative director of Umalt, a B2B video ad agency—dives into six practical ways to raise your chances of going viral. While no one can guarantee viral success, Guy shares how to focus your efforts on a single channel, leverage influencer outreach, craft the perfect YouTube title and thumbnail, and more. He also reminds us of the ultimate key to virality: creating content people genuinely love and want to share. Tune in for real-world insights and straightforward tips on how to make your video stand out from the crowd.
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  How to NOT be funny 13.02.2025 6m

  In this Death to the Corporate Video episode, host Guy Bauer riffs on why attempting “approved” humor (like smashing computers or forced funny faces) is a surefire way to kill genuine laughs. Instead, Guy makes the case for original, risky, creative comedy in B2B video ads. Tune in to hear how one of Umault’s most offbeat, doubt-ridden projects became a massive hit—and why it proves you should go big or go home regarding humor.
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  How to go from corporate to captivating 04.02.2025 7m

  Host Guy Bauer explains why many companies struggle to launch highly creative marketing videos out of the gate. Guy explains that organizations—especially larger ones—must slowly “build up a tolerance” to taking creative risks. He provides practical tips on how to ramp up your team’s creative muscle.