Podcast
Welcome to The Theater of Public Influence - a podcast covering media, pop-culture, advertising, technology and everything else out there competing for your attention.
Every day we are bombarded by messages from TV, radio, magazines & newspapers, blogs, emails, text messages and more. And every month our hosts sit down to help you sort through it all and talk about who’s putting on the best (and worst) shows in the Theater of Public Influence.
Have you seen something worthy of our attention? You can be a part of the show by emailing your “check it out” suggestion to auditorium@griffinyorkkrause.com.
Click below to listen to individual episodes or subscribe through iTunes
Episode 28 – August 18, 2010
In this episode, Ben, Brady, Mike G. and Liz sit down for a two-for-one helping of Check it Out. First up, we take a look at Kombucha, the fermented tea beverage that’s stirring up controversy at Whole Foods stores. Can its miraculous healing power outweigh its taste and hidden alcohol content? Next, we get into a heated debate over low-fi video production spurred by a pre-show viewing of HBO’s The Neistat Brothers. There is certainly nothing else like this handmade home movie television show and Ben is determined to keep it that way. Finally, we wrap things up with a new segment called GY&K Q&A, in which our panelists have to give quick answers to stupid questions.
Episode 27 – Urban Daddy
The Theater of Public Influence is back and we’ve got company. We’re joined this week by Dan McCarthy, Boston editor for Urban Daddy. Sharing our passion for cutting through the clutter and helping you find the things worthy of your attention, UrbanDaddy is a free daily email devoted to bringing you the single thing you need to know every day about your city. On this Episode, Dan takes center stage and tells us about Urban Daddy’s unique brand of infotainment, how the company got started and how they’ve found a place in the social networking landscape. All this, plus cougar hunts, consumer space flight and midgets will be sure to keep your attention for the next hour.
Episode 26 – Quantity vs. Quality
Quantity vs. Quality In this episode, the Panel rifles through a whole host of topics but through it all runds the thread of quantity vs. quality. Is a million interactions better than one or two really good ones. First up on this weeks show, we take a look at location-based mobile apps as the world celebrates Foursquare Day. American Idol season is upon us and Brady, Ben and Holly can’t resist delving into some Idol talk (14:20). Then it’s off to the apple store for an in-depth look at the new iPad (22:12). Brady recaps his trip to SXSW (30:38) where mobile tagging is all the rage (33:05). Later, Travis vents about Nike’s new Tiger Woods spot (38:28), Mike G. reveals his love of Old Spice (51:20) and Ben drops some praise on the new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach (54:46).
Episode 25 – Best of 2009
The Aughts are behind us and the Theater of Public Influence is sending them off in style. In this episode, we take a look back at the decade that was and see just how far we’ve come in the past ten years. Then its off to the red carpet for our2nd annual year-end awards show. We’ve surveyed the internet to determine 2009’s best and buzz-worthiest in a number of categories including movies, music, TV, gadgets, news stories, print and TV ads, online presence and Marketer of the Year. Listen to find out who this year’s winners were.
Episode 24 – Holiday Gift Exhange
Welcome to the first annual Theater of Public Influence Holiday Gift Exchange. In this Episode, Ben, Brady, Holly and the Mikes open up their real hearts and their imaginary wallets and do some secret shopping for their fellow panelists. Who gave the best gift? Who got the worst gift? What the heck is a Kitten Mitten? Listen and find out. This episode is chock-full of inspiration for your upcoming holiday shopping trips.
Episode 23 – Holiday Marketing
The holiday season is upon us and the Theater of Public Influence panel is checking out all the jingle bells and whistles making noise this year. In episode 23, we take a look at 4 major players in the holiday shopping game and discuss their efforts to capture your gift-giving dollar.First up, Brady tries out MasterCard’s Priceless Gift Finder with mediocre results. Mike Stevens takes a page out of the Trend Report and tells us how to find the best deals on Black Friday. Mike Giovinelli looks at K-Mart and the triumphant return of layaway. And finally, Holly and Ben tackle two of the major “box retailers” – Kohl’s and Macy’s
Episode 22 – Fall TV Preview (Part 2)
It’s Part 2 of our Fall TV Preview and Mike Stevens cant wait to dish the dirt on the new season of Gossip Girl. But first, Mike Brady & Ben run down the rest of their returning favorites including Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Heroes, House, the ever-intriguing Dancing With the Stars and more. There’s a whole lot of TV head your way this fall and we’re here to make sense of it for you. Tune in BEFORE you tune in!
Episode 21 – Fall TV Preview (Part 1)
In this first part of our Theater of Public Influence Fall TV Preview, we take a look at the NEW shows premiering this season. Brady, Ben and Mike Stevens gather round and give some early opinions on new shows including, Glee, Community, Melrose Place, Cougar Town and more. You’ll want to give a listen before you set your DVR for the upcoming season.
Episode 20 – Player/Played-Up/Played-Out
This week, on the Theater of Public influence, it’s Player/Played-Up/Played-Out with Ben, Brady and the Mikes. First up, we take a look at Bud Light’s “Real Men of Genius” campaign. Since 1999, Bud light has given us over 100 installments of their hilarious tribute to everyday heroes and there’s no end in sight. Next up it’s wave 3(GS) of iPhone hysteria and 3 of our panelists are drinking the Kool-Aid and loving it. Then, following the announced shutdown of Boston’s WBCN, we discuss morning radio and terrestrial radio in general in hopes of finding a cure for this struggling medium. And finally, we get angry at a certain salt-n-pepper haired weekend warrior in Mike Stevens’ 30 Seconds of Rage. Follow us on Twitter @GYKtweets and listen to the end for a sneak peak at GYKbeats.
Episode 19 – Check it Out
After a brief detour as we payed tribute to Michael Jackson, we’re back to our regular format this week with Check It Out. Travis York rejoins the panel along with Ben, Brady, Holly and Mike G. Our guest this episode is PR team member and published author, Kevin Flynn who talks to us about Playboy’s unprecedented July/August combo issue sparking a discussion about the state of print media and the fate of those who produce it. But first Travis, fresh off the Doves and Wild Light concert at the House of Blues, starts a conversation about pop music in advertising and Ben recaps his experience making a short film as part of the 48 Hour Film Project.
Episode 18 – Remembering Michael Jackson
As the world mourns the sudden loss of Michael Jackson, we assemble the panel for an emergency podcast session. Ben Peirce, Holly Cirillo, Brady Sadler and Mike Giovinelli offer up some cathartic conversation as they discuss, the media buzz and worldwide intrigue surrounding Jackson’s death, the enigma of his life and, of course, the influence and legacy of his music. It’s an emotional episode as four children of the eighties talk themselves through the shock of what may be the most impactful celebrity passing of their generation.
Episode 17 – June 19, 2009
In part 2 of our new split show format, Holly gives us Player Played Up and Played Out and we debut a brand new segment, “Mike Stevens’ 30 Seconds of Rage”. This week, we talk about Motherlover and the rest of SNL’s Digital Shorts, try to make sense of the late night TV shuffle and complain about our 10 least-favorite reality stars. Ben tries to impress us with his celebrity sightings and Brady makes sure that everyone has enough street-cred to make it through the episode.
Episode 16 – June 9, 2009
Because you demanded it! This episode marks the first of our new weekly format which will give you a shorter, more easily-digestible show every week, alternating between Check it Out and Player/Played-Up/Played-Out episodes. Check it out gets the nod this week as Ben and Mike G. reminisce about their weekend of concerts at Fenway Park and the triumphant return of Phish. Then, Adam from New York writes in with our second topic, TED Talks. Youll hear from J.J. Abrams, creator of Lost and the new Star Trek as we dive into TED. Check back next week for Player/Played-Up/Played-Out.
It’s a small panel and short episode on the latest edition of the Theater of Public Influnce. This week Ben, Brady and the Mikes take a look at companies struggling to make good use of Twitter and Facebook. We get fired up for American Idol and Mike Gives us a Player/Played-Up/Played-out that smacks our last episode in the face. Enjoy!
Episode 14 – May 5, 2009
Holly Cirillo makes her triumphant return and Josh Nason joins the panel for a discussion about the current state of television. Other Check it Out topics include the defamation of Dominos Pizza and the trend of throwback marketing. Later we talk about praise Apple, put down Quark Xpress and complain about the transition to DTV. It’s an action-packed episode and one you won’t want to miss.
BOB Awards: Bonus Material
Bonus material from the BOB Awards! We dug into the archives and found an additional interview from our live Podcast at the Recent New Hampshire Best of Business Awards. In this mini-episode, you’ll hear from Peter Marsh with Comcast Business Services as well as TV and Radio personality, Nancy Robbins formerly of the WZID morning show.
Episode 13 – Client Spotlight: Dyn Inc.
In this Special Edition of the Theater of Public Influence, Ben Peirce hosts a discussion between our VP of Public Relations, David Donohue and GY&K PR client, Kyle York of Dyn Inc. Following a series of Hacker attacks to competing DNS providers, Dyn Inc. and the GY&K PR Team seized the opportunity to take some shots at the competition and tout their own stability and security. David and Kyle take you behind the scenes to show you how they pulled off their crafty PR maneuvering and won some good exposure for Dyn Inc.
Episode 12 – March 31, 2009
The roundtable is back and so is our regular show format. Check it Out returns, featuring the new-look Comcast campaign, viral video from Gonzaga women’s basketball, and a look at loyalty programs with Sophia Cigliano. Travis hasPlayer/Played-up/Played-out this week and he sets his sights on PayPass, U2and talking?! We spark some controversy in this episode that’s a little bit longer but well worth it.
Episode 11 – Live at the B.O.B. Awards
Live from the Grapone Center in Concord, NH it’s the Theater of Public Influence podcast. I this Episode, the GY&K Auditorium staff goes on location to bring you interviews with some of the honorees and attendees at the 2009 Best Of Business Awards. You’ll hear from Corissa St. Laurent of the Fiddlehead Loop, Sharon McCarthy of McLean Communications, Jeanine Tousignant from the Manchester Community Music School and her husband, Chris Drobat of Lavallee Brensinger Architects. You’ll also meet Chef Nicole and sister, Megan fromT-Bones and Cactus Jack’s, Emily Hoang of Simon Malls and Kim LaMontagne fromWalden University.
Episode 10 – March 17, 2009
In yet another free-flowing episode, our panel previews the upcoming BOB (Best of Business) Awards, where we will be podcasting live on-location. We chat about theWatchmen movie, American Idol and the comebacks of Michael Jackson and Phish. The panel (Ben Peirce, Brady Sadler and Mikes Giovinelli and Stevens) will make their picks for March Madness, tell you how NOT to hem your pants, and warn you of the dangers of Post-It addiction. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Episode 09 – Interview Special w/ Charlie Dent
We’re breaking format again with installment of the Theater of Public Influence. The roundtable is off, and taking their place is Michelle Marshall, VP of Media Services with our first full-length interview show. Michelle sat down with veteran radio man, Charlie Dent from WXRV/92.5 “The River” to discuss current events in the radio landscape and how streaming radio, Podcasts, Sirius, YouTube and Pandora have changed radio. We’ll also explain how Arbitron reports ratings and how the introduction of the PPM (person people meters) will change ratings as we’ve known them for 50+ years.
Episode 08 – Super Bowl Spectacular
In this episode, our panel covers all things Super Bowl. We look at the game, the half-time show and or course, the ads. Mike Stevens joins the panel this week and gives us a Super Bowl edition of “Player, Played-up and Played-out”. Then we talk about all our favorite spots and pick out the big winners who didn’t log any playing time.
For more on this episode, click here.
Episode 07 – The Best of 2008
It’s the theater of public interns! In this special year-in-review edition, our regular panelists (Ben Brady, Rob, Mike and Holly) team up with the GY&K Interns, (Nate, Nuala and J.P.) to deliver the “Best of 2008″ as voted by the GY&K staff. TIMESTAMPS: Best Movie (3:07) … Best TV Show (11:54) … Best Music (19:10) … Best Gadget (24:31) … Best Online Experience (32:25) … Best TV Advertisement (39:44) … Best Ad Campaign (43:49) … Marketer of the Year (50:10)
For more on this episode, click here.
Episode 06 – Special Snow Day Edition
In this “Special Snow Day Edition” of the Theater of Public Influence, the panel goes unformatted and unscripted with an impromptu recording session in the midst of winter weather hysteria. Regular panelists, Ben, Brady, Rob and Kelly are joined by PR Guru, David Donoghue and Designer, Alex Steege. After some brief conversation about music, movies and the weather Alex gets us started with a look at Xbox 360’s community games (11:20). David follows up with PlayStation Home, Second life and the phenomenon of virtual online communities (16:42). This leads to a lengthy discussion of all things Facebook (24:40). Finally, we talk about Current and the convergence of TV and the Web (37:07) which takes us full-circle, back to Xbox.
For more on this episode, click here.
Episode 05 – December 15, 2008
GY&K Chairman, Pat Griffin joins the panel this week as we look at BlueTec (00:04:58), Barcamp (00:15:22) and the Amazon Kindle (00:32:40) in Check it Out. Then in Player, Played Up & Played Out, Rob leads a discussion on Britney Spears (00:46:18), Black Friday (00:54:02) and Dr. Pepper’s Chinese Democracy debacle(01:00:56). Finally we wrap things up with a Campaign Review of athlete/actor/endorser extraordinaire, Peyton Manning (01:07:13).
For more on this episode, click here.
Episode 04 – November 18, 2008
Guest PR Guru, David Donohue joins the panel this week as we check out newspapers making the switch to digital. We also take a look at inTrade, the Barack Obama marketing machine, Twitter, Dancing with the Stars and Howard Stern. Finally we pick apart the new Sprint TV spots in our Campaign Review. Time Stamps: 02:58 Check it Out; 31:00 Player, Played-Up, Played-Out; 55:35 Campaign Review
In this abbreviated episode, our panel takes a look at Google Trends, the Toys R Us Hot List and Classmates.com in Player, Played-up and Played-out. Visit us online at GYKAuditorium.com.
Episode 02 – Oct. 22, 2008
In their second outing, our slightly more polished panel talks music, direct-to-web TV, social wikis, voting and more. Travis York drops by for a review of the new Im-a-PC campaign from Microsoft and the group gives a collective thumbs-down to retro remakes. Time Stamps: 01:47 Check it Out 27:54 Player, Played-Up, Played-Out 51:40 Campaign Review
Episode 01 – August, 2008
In this inaugural episode, The GY&K Panel discusses Social Networking, Streaming Video, Planet Green, PMORPGs and more… Time Stamps: 02:16 Check It out 35:26 Campaign Review 43:09 Player, Played-Up, Played Out
