Ducks Unplugged

We're kicking off 2026 with big energy and a fresh mindset. In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to reset, recharge, and refocus—for your life and for business. This one’s full of insight and energy:

🧘‍♀️ What we’re leaving behind in 2025
📈 What we’re bringing into 2026
🎯 Predictions for the year in marketing
🎲 A 2026-themed Would You Rather game
😳 Brand-new What the Duck moments

🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts and start your year unplugged.

This was supposed to be a mini… but the Ducks got carried away.

In this full-on forecast episode, Ashley and Deanna look into their crystal ball and share their boldest predictions for 2026 — from marketing trends to business shifts to totally unhinged cultural guesses (aliens, anyone?)

✨ Will AI keep dominating?
📈 Is it the year of the boutique agency?
🧠 And what exactly does it mean to “start the year strong”?

You’ll laugh, you’ll think, and you might just spot a trend before it hits the mainstream.

🎧 Listen to Predictions: Unplugged

Happy Holidays from Ducks Unplugged! 🎄

This episode is wrapped in festive chaos and sprinkled with all the marketing magic (and meltdowns) December has to offer. From wild Christmas sweaters to the most mind-blowing way to tie your shoes (seriously 🤯), we’re here to spread cheer — and maybe a little unfiltered advice.

✨ Highlights include:
📞 The Holiday Crisis Hotline — listeners called in, we gave real(ish) solutions
🎯 Naughty or Nice: Marketing Edition
🥂 A heartfelt toast to 2025
🎁 And of course, our weekly What the Duck?!

Tune in for holiday laughs, last-minute insights, and a reminder that you’re...

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...

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).

🎧 Tun...

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 officiall...

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...

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...

Owning your like factor — it’s not a weakness, it’s your superpower. 💪

This week, we’re getting real about why being likeable gets such a bad rap — and how it’s actually key to building authentic connections, winning over clients, and creating a culture people want to be part of long-term.  

We also break down the “like factor” of a few familiar faces and brands (some surprising takes ahead 👀), then wrap with our fast round of *Swipe Right or Swipe Left: Likeability Edition*.  

🎧 Hit play and join the fun! 

It’s official — by popular demand, Duck Debate is now a monthly thing! Plus, we’re spicing our Mini episodes up with a brand‑new segment: Marketing Hot Takes.

This week, we’re diving into:
🍳 Cracker Barrel's flash-in-the-pan rebrand (pun...see what we did there?)
🍪 Are Crumbl Cookies overrated?
📚 Does listening to an audiobook count as reading?
👍 And the age‑old debate — is a thumb actually a finger?

Spoiler alert: Deanna and Ashley surprisingly agree on most of this one (for once). But what do you think? Join the debate and tell us your takes!
Duration: 00:28:23

Can we really have it all? Is work-life balance a real thing—or just a clever marketing ploy?

In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Ashley and Deanna dig into the messy truth about "balance." From chaotic workdays to scroll-heavy evenings, we’re unpacking why so many of us feel like we’re teetering on the edge... and who’s profiting from that feeling.

💥 We discuss the balance myths we pretend to believe (does "work smarter, not harder" ring a bell?)
📱 We debate the impact of tech, time, and to-do lists
🧘‍♀️ We share what helps us reset—and why...

You asked. We answered. 💬

This Ask Us Anything: Mini episode is powered by YOU—our amazing listeners! We opened up the mic to your best questions and topics, and you delivered everything from marketing curveballs to behind‑the‑scenes curiosities about Ducks Unplugged.

💛 Thank you to everyone who submitted questions—we loved diving in. Want to be part of future episodes? Make sure you’re following and subscribed so you never miss your chance to weigh in.

🎧 Hit play now!

If leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all…how do you know when it fits? In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, Deanna and Ashley ask a big question: What would Ted Lasso do? And unpack what goldfish, mustaches, and great leadership have in common.

💼 From loud visionaries to quiet operators, leadership comes in all shapes. We take a look at the traits that truly matter (integrity, empathy, clarity, resilience) and ask whether great leaders are born or can they be made?

Also featured in this episode:
- Debating the age-old question: Leadership vs. Management—are they really the same...

Welcome to My, How Things Have Changed: Unplugged! In this episode, Ashley and Deanna take a trip back in time to revisit what marketing was like in a different time — warning, it was a shocking reminder.

We dig into vintage ads that would never fly today, from misogynistic taglines to babies drinking soda and shaving (yes, really), to airlines bragging about rejecting female stewardesses who don't fit their "standards”

Some of it is shocking, some hilarious in hindsight (we laugh so we don't cry), and all of it shows just how far marketing—and society—has come...

Welcome to Main Character Energy: Mini! Ashley and Deanna are joined by our favorite recurring guest, Erin Campbell, to unpack what’s giving off major main character energy right now.

Each of us brought a few picks (okay, Deanna brought several 🙃), and we put them to the test. From pickleball to WNBA mascots to TikTok creators to… polka dots, we cover it all. Some examples hit, some miss—and plenty spark discussion. You may even learn something—is it DUPA or DUPR score? 

🎧 Tune in for a mini episode full of laughs, random hot takes, and a little po...

Welcome to Marketing Confessions: Unplugged! Mistakes happen in marketing—it’s inevitable. The key is catching them before they spiral… but let’s be honest, sometimes they make it all the way out into the world.

In this episode, we dig into the fine line between empowering your team to act independently and accepting that sometimes, mistakes slip through. We share some wild marketing fails we found online—and then we turn the spotlight on ourselves. From typos that went to print, to public meeting mishaps, to cringe-worthy moments we still can’t believe happened, we spill our own conf...

Welcome to Duck Debate: Part 2! Ashley and Deanna are back at it—taking on the questions no one asked us to answer but everyone has an opinion about.

From whether parallel parking is a critical life skill, to if cruises count as real vacations, to the very divisive Taylor Swift debate, and even whether sharing a toothbrush is okay (spoiler: a gross story is shared), we battle it out.

🎧 Take a listen, pick a side, and let us know—where do you land in the great duck debate?

Welcome to Mythbusters: Unplugged! We’ve all heard the agency rumors: bigger agencies mean bigger results, agencies only care about creative, and in-house teams can do it all. But are those really true—or just myths that need busting?

In this episode, we’re pulling no punches and tackling the misconceptions we hear all the time. Then, we turn the tables and debate some of life’s juiciest non-agency myths—from aliens building the pyramids to whether sharks get cancer (spoiler: you’ll want to hear this one).

🎧 Tune in for a mix of marketing truths, mystery...

How do you sell the same product to totally different generations?

We’re putting our sales caps on and turning this episode into a real-life round of Shark Tank, as Deanna and Ashley go head-to-head with audience-tailored pitches. Five product categories. Four different generations. One wild ride.

⚡ Electric toothbrushes for Gen Z?
🛌 Why Gen X shouldn’t “sleep” on the luxury mattress industry (see what we did there?)

🎧 Hit play and decide—who pitched it best?

Is it buzz-worthy or just…busted? In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we’re talking about the brands that know how to build hype—and the ones that crash and burn trying.

From Liquid Death’s cult following 💀 to product launches that should’ve stayed in the drafts, we’re breaking down how hype can create real magic… or total mayhem.

What’s inside:
• A “What the Duck” rant aimed squarely at Meta
• Why smart hype = sticky marketing
• A round of “How Would We Launch…” featuring dramatic blurbs and product tests (things get weird)

Spoiler: not ev...

We went deep into the weird corners of the internet… and found some absolutely insane products.

In this mini episode of Ducks Unplugged, we’re playing Buy It, Gift It, Shelve It — your new favorite unhinged product game. From glow-in-the-dark toilet paper to a hot dog toaster (yes, really), we’re asking the big questions:
➡️ Would you actually buy this?
🎁 Would you gift it (even as a white elephant)?
🗑️ Or would you immediately hit "nope" and shelve it forever?

And because we love you, we made a real product guide with links to every bizarre thi...

🎉 Game on, marketers! In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we're bringing the fun—and the pickles. Yep, pickles are having a moment, and we’re here for it. 🥒

We kick things off with a little “What the Duck?” and a couple of solid dad jokes before diving into why levity belongs in every marketing campaign. Because let’s face it—marketing should be fun. And fun? That’s where the magic happens. ✨

Then it’s time to turn up the heat with The Speed Round, inspired by Burning Questions from The Ellen Show. Deanna throws surprise questions at As...

Class is in session! Put down your pencil and pay attention as we flip through the brand yearbook in this episode of Ducks Unplugged. 👩‍🎓📓

Remember high school superlatives? Well, we’re giving them a marketing makeover. From Most Athletic to Best Couple to Class Clown and more, we’re handing out the titles and deciding which brands deserve the crown.

🎧 Listen to Marketing Superlatives: Mini—where marketing meets the lunch table drama.

Welcome to the debut of our Backstory series! Asking the right questions? It’s not just for first dates and reality TV confessionals. It's the foundation of killer client relationships, brand building, and campaigns that actually convert.

In this episode, we’re flipping the mics on ourselves and asking the hard hitting questions! Deanna and Ashley interview each other to uncover what really makes us tick. From Deanna’s journey as a powerhouse marketing leader to Ashley’s (very millennial) obsession with competing with herself, we’re digging deep—while keeping it real.

🎧 Tune in for laughs, ins...

🚩 Red flag or ✅ green flag? We're throwing down some serious opinions in this sassy hot-take episode of Ducks Unplugged. Erin's back in the studio, and we're tackling everything from relentless positivity (is this actually a red flag?) to wearing socks to bed. Oh—and if you're out here talking on speakerphone in public... we have thoughts.

Play along and wave your own flags—what's a dealbreaker and what's just misunderstood?

🎧 Listen to Red Flag or Green Flag: Mini now!

🚨 This one’s a bit different—made special for our REALITY TV FANS.

We’re sipping Loverboy and spilling the tea on how reality TV became a business powerhouse. From iconic franchises to influencer-led empires, reality stars are out here building brand deals, e-commerce empires, and cult followings like it’s their job (because it is).

Not everyone gets it right—but those who do? Chef’s kiss. We also put our Producer hats on and share how we would revamp The Bachelor franchise (no offense ABC, it needs some love).

🎧 If you’re a reality TV junk...

That’s it—we’re starting the timer on these hot takes!

In this Rapid Fire Reactions: Mini episode of Ducks Unplugged, we’re joined once again by Erin Campbell for a high-stakes (and highly entertaining) timed round of hot takes on trending topics in marketing, pop culture, and work-life. Each of us only gets ONE PASS... so use it wisely.

We’re dishing on:
– The “goodnight” trend (we ship it)
– Whether anyone is using Threads
– TikTok fashion aesthetics (Coastal Grandma, obviously)
– If Disney trips are actually… stressful??
– And so much more

Can we...

Alright brands, it’s 2025—let’s talk micro-moments as a way of connecting with your customer. Conference swag bags? Ashley’s ride-or-die for these babies, but some of those other branded micro-moments? They need a vibe check. We’re picking them at random from a bowl and deciding if they get to stay, need a major makeover, or if it’s just time for the trash.

And since we’re feeling festive, we’re inventing our own micro-holidays too. Because let’s be real, we ALL need more reasons to celebrate—or reasons to say “nope, not today.” Find out which...

Buckle up, we’re officially entering our collab era! From epic brand match-ups to reality-TV royalty (Bravo collabs, anyone?), we’re breaking down what makes collaborations legendary. Are collabs strictly Gen Z territory, or can everyone get in on the fun?

Crocs—we see you crushing it every time, and Bravo’s Kyle Cooke, we've got some spicy collab ideas you'll love! Plus, don’t miss our wild-card collab generator and a live brainstorm where we dream up unexpected pairings—White Claw x Fenty Beauty? Yeah, we went there. 😎✨

🎧 Tune in now and tell us your ultimate dream

Get ready—we’re diving deep into the world of wild, weird, and wonderful jobs you never knew existed! 🤯 Could you handle being a professional cuddler? What about testing brand-new amusement park rides—brave enough to be first in line?

In this Ducks Unplugged mini-episode, we’re asking: Wait, that's a real job? Would we do it? Could we actually pull it off? (Spoiler: some of these are WAY harder than they sound.) By the end, we’ve got a whole new appreciation for the brave souls who rock these unconventional careers.

🎧Tune in to hear which odd j...

In this Ducks Unplugged mini-episode, Deanna’s giving the big 5-0 a glow-up! ✨ It’s not about slowing down—it’s about rethinking milestones and making them mean something fresh.

Ever thought about how YOU would rebrand a major life milestone? What’s on your bucket list? Something wild, something exciting? We’re diving into some life edition “What If” questions, too—because why not?

🎧 Listen now and let us know what else Deanna should add to her bucket list!

In this Ducks Unplugged mini-episode, Deanna’s giving the big 5-0 a glow-up! ✨ It’s not about slowing down—it’s about rethinking milestones and making them mean something fresh.

Ever thought about how YOU would rebrand a major life milestone? What’s on your bucket list? Something wild, something exciting? We’re diving into some life edition “What If” questions, too—because why not?

🎧 Listen now and let us know what else Deanna should add to her bucket list!

Who doesn't love a good rebrand? In this episode, we share the story behind the Blue Duck Agency rebrand—and trust us, it started in the most unexpected way. The real fun (and chaos) came when Deanna and Ashley realized that rebrands are not for the faint of heart. Spoiler: we made it through and came out stronger on the other side.

Plus, we're diving into all things "rebrand"! Have you gone through a personal rebrand? Or ever thought about a brand you’d like to give a makeover?

And of course, we wrap it up w...

🚨Alert: You don’t want to miss this episode!🚨

Welcome to the brand-new Ducks Unplugged studio! In this special episode, we explore a world of "what ifs" that you won’t want to miss. What if we re-imagined a brand for an unlikely audience? What if brands were people? Where would Google go on vacation? Would brands have dating profiles (and how unhinged would Taco Bell's be)? 😅

We also ask the big questions: What would Deanna and Ashley do if they weren’t marketers? Plus, Trader Joes mini-totes FTW.

🎧 Tune in for a fun, creative, and...

In this Ducks Unplugged mini-episode, we’re diving into cool apps you need to know! We’ve crowdsourced a list of apps that’ll make your life easier, more exciting, and maybe even a little more fun. From ChatGPT (yes, it’s on mobile!) to Good Reads, and even a Flush Toilet Finder App—we’ve got something for everyone. And yes, we have multiple toilet apps on the list. 😂

🎧 Listen now and tell us your favorite app! Let’s make life a little bit easier and a lot more fun.

In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we’re joined by Deanna's daughter, and our resident Gen-Z expert, Amy to tackle the generational marketing landscape. From how to make your brand relevant to Gen Z—authenticity and honesty are the name of the game—to why non-digital channels shouldn’t be ruled out to reach this generation. And let’s not forget Gen X and Boomers, who are doing the majority of the spending right now!

Oh, and why do Millennials get blamed for, well, everything? (Sorry for trying to enjoy a slice of avocado toast!). Plus, Ryanair is crowned...

In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we’re joined by two of our amazing Blue Duck Agency creatives—Sara Winslow, Creative Director, and Jen Carney, Art Director—to explore how we would give some well-known brands a glow up. Can Celtics' fans handle a rebrand? Why is Goo Gone such a miracle product?

Plus, we dive into a new segment, Ducks Unhinged, where we share the craziest work and work-adjacent moments. Like when Ashley accidentally asked a co-worker out (Surprise! They’re married now.) Or how Sara once said “FU” to her boss 😳. Tune in for these stories and mor...

In this Ducks Unplugged mini-episode, we’re playing a game of Marry, Date, Ghost with top brands—like Amazon, Starbucks, Hermes (how do you pronounce that?) and Bravo. Yes, you read that right. Because of course we would, we’re marketers!

How could we ever choose between these iconic brands? Listen along as Deanna and Ashley debate who they'd marry, who they'd date, and who they'd ghost. It’s all in good fun, and you might even get some brand insights along the way!

🎧 Listen now and play along with us!

In this Ducks Unplugged mini-episode, we’re playing a game of Marry, Date, Ghost with top brands—like Amazon, Starbucks, Hermes (how do you pronounce that?) and Bravo. Yes, you read that right. Because of course we would, we’re marketers!

How could we ever choose between these iconic brands? Listen along as Deanna and Ashley debate who they'd marry, who they'd date, and who they'd ghost. It’s all in good fun, and you might even get some brand insights along the way!

🎧 Listen now and play along with us!

In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into a live brainstorm to reimagine iconic brands—no pressure, right? Join us as we give our takes on Black Friday, Netflix, and Match.com. Oh, and Netflix, we've got a new product package for you—you're welcome!

Plus, a round of hot takes (FYI—annual performance reviews are out) and the work hacks we use here at Blue Duck Agency to keep things rolling smoothly.

🎧 Listen now and let us know what you think! Also, spoiler alert: we might have just trademarked "micro-moments". 

Can you guess these Gen Z phrases? In this episode we're joined by special guest, Amy our resident Gen Zer who is here to remind us just how old we actually are. We were hoping to "leave no crumbs" but accidentally gave Amy the "ick".

Listen as we get schooled by Amy and laugh at our own “old” moments. Spoiler alert: things get cringey, but it’s all in good fun!

🎧 Listen now and see if you can guess the Gen Z phrases too!

In this mini episode of Ducks Unplugged, we’re diving into our first-ever Ducks Debate—where Ashley and Deanna go head-to-head on the "really important" stuff. Like…
– Does the middle seat get both armrests?
– What is the superior Starburst flavor?
– What is going on with LinkedIn right now?
– And our biggest disagreement yet: should you make the bed right when you wake up?

No business buzzwords, just opinions, side-eyes, and a few laughs.

🎙️ Hit play and weigh in—because some things are worth debating.

Welcome to Ducks Unplugged! In the very first episode, The Beginning: Unplugged, Deanna and Ashley are pulling back the curtain—fresh takes, a few laughs, and a lot of realness.

Today, we’re talking about:
– Niche Cheetos collecting (yes, it’s a thing)
– Why reality TV is marketing
– The worst job interview question we’ve ever heard
– A round of "rapid fire questions" to get to know us a little better

Thanks for kicking off this journey with us—hit play and let's get unplugged! 🎙️

In this episode of Ducks Unplugged, we're getting real about leadership—the good, the bad, and the totally misguided.

Today, we're diving into:
– What true leadership looks like (and what it absolutely doesn't)
– Why Ted Lasso might actually be the GOAT of leaders
– Why an office pizza party is not—and never will be—company culture
– That one time Deanna almost didn't hire Ashley (spoiler: it worked out)

If you’ve ever had a great boss, a terrible boss, or wondered what real leadership should feel like, this one's for you.

🎙️ Hit...

What do vodka, emus, and Formula 1 have in common? They’re all proof that great marketing grabs attention—and holds it.

In this episode, we’re joined by Sara Winslow, Creative Director at Blue Duck Agency, for a candid conversation about what makes marketing work, why creative reviews sometimes feel like a boxing match, and how to keep the "reins" without losing the magic.

Plus, hear the wild story of what it’s like to be on an airplane that's literally caught on fire.

🎙️ New episodes drop every week(ish).