How Marketing Changed the World

About How Marketing Changed the World

Culture changes constantly. Most of us think it happens organically, shaped by things like technology, art, politics, or activism. But you'd be surprised how many deep-seated behaviors and beliefs were actually created by carefully-crafted marketing campaigns. Smiling for photos, diamond engagement rings, even the pledge of allegiance - all of these were created by a corporation that was intentionally trying to change our minds, and it worked. In How Marketing Changed the World, we'll explore the fascinating true stories behind some of the most successful, and often unknown, marketing campaigns of all time. Join us every month to learn how powerful marketing can be, and perhaps how to rethink or enhance the promotion of your own brand.

Publisher

Pulsar

Category

business · history

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Dec 2023

Latest episode

14 May 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 May 2026

   The Oscars

   The Academy Awards established entertainment awards ceremonies and set the pattern for every other awards show.

2. 

   18 Feb 2026

   Groundhog Day

   How Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania became the "Weather Capital of the World."

3. 

   24 Jan 2026

   Pad Thai

   The dish that most people feel defines Thailand was intentionally invented and marketed by the country to do just that.

4. 

   15 Dec 2025

   Christmas Lights

   The holiday tradition of decorating with lights was created by the combined efforts of the emerging electric industry and the White House.

5. 

   26 Nov 2025

   Jeans

   How an old European fabric became the most iconic American piece of clothing.

6. 

   17 Sept 2025

   Wrigley

   Many aspects of our shopping experience were shaped by a chewing gum magnate.

7. 

   6 Aug 2025

   Spam

   Three stories that reveal the origin of spam.

8. 

   11 Jun 2025

   Pedometers

   This episode explores the pedometer's rise in popularity and the pervasive 10,000-steps-per-day goal, revealing the marketing forces behind a global fitness trend.

9. 

   17 Jul 2024

   Mr. Potato Head

   A marketing experiment in 1952 led to the creation of one of the largest segments of the global retail economy.

10. 

    16 Jun 2024

    Aluminum

    How one company not only changed the name and pronunciation of an element, but forged an entire industry.

11. 

    10 May 2024

    Wine

    The marketing initiatives that not only created American wine culture, but transformed the global wine industry.

12. 

    5 Apr 2024

    The Pledge of Allegiance

    A marketing idea to sell flags to public schools became one of the most iconic symbols of America.

13. 

    7 Mar 2024

    The Olympics

    The 1936 Olympics not only created most of the pageantry for the games, but also established the sports industry.

14. 

    9 Feb 2024

    Diamonds

    How De Beers created and shaped the practice of proposing marriage with diamond engagement rings in the 1940s.

15. 

    5 Jan 2024

    Selfies

    The way the whole world takes, uses, and feels about photographs, including selfies, was created by Kodak in the early 1900s.

16. 

    20 Dec 2023

    Trailer

    Introducing How Marketing Changed the World, a podcast that explores the fascinating true stories behind some of the most successful, and often unknown, marketing campaigns of all time.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

9,666

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 22 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

7

Social presence

0

YouTube

65

Engagement

27

Contact How Marketing Changed the World

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.