When does a word become so ubiquitous it loses all meaning? Brian's sudden aversion to "culture" sparks a meandering exploration into the semiotics of commerce, just as Poppy's influencer vending machine saga becomes an unlikely metaphor for marketing's existential crisis. PLUS, we revisit a key moment from NRF 2025.

The Great ‘Culture Cancel’ of 2025

Key takeaways:

[13:30] The Poppi fallout: After being slammed by fans around the globe for an influencer activation, Poppi juggles image repair.
[23:00] Poppi vs. Olipop: Controversy doubles the audience.
[29:00] Super Bowl LIX: This year’s game was an underwhelming canvas for Kendrick’s victory and Poppi’s brief downfall.
[35:00] One of the most impactful ads this year was creator-made, by a Doritos fan.
[46:00] Big creative is more accessible now than ever, as displayed by big brands like Liquid Death using small but mighty budgets.
[51:00] On this week’s After Dark episode, we unpack Kanye West’s breakdown and public rage against Ye and Shopify.
“If you want to get attention, start a war.” – Brian
“In the last few years, the NFL has become more participatory.” – Brian

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Ecology and The Death of Culture™

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