AdTalk by AdClass

Hosted by AdClass

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Latest episode

Oct 2025

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EN-US

About the show

AdTalk by AdClass is a biweekly podcast hosted by AdClass co-founders Caleb Cruz and Dakota Hermes where they debate, discuss, and analyze all things advertising. Through focusing on current events, topical chat, concept analysis, and guest appearances from those working within the advertising workspace or those benefiting from innovative advertising solutions, Dakota and Caleb bring levity, insight and a fresh perspective to the constantly shifting landscape of the advertising world.

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31 recent

October 8, 2025Episode 311 hr 13 min

AI Clones, Direct Response & the Future of Ads (with Tobias Allen)

Ex-Acquisition.com Director Tobias Allen on AI, Branding & Direct ResponseIn this episode, Tobias Allen joins Dakota Hermes to talk about how AI is reshaping marketing, what brand really means in 2025, and why the fundamentals of persuasion never die. They break down what’s working in paid ads right now, how to think about brand vs. direct response, and how marketers can stay dangerous in the AI era.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode! And if you have a moment, please rate and share!

September 24, 2025Episode 3042 min

This 5-Step Ads Framework Will Fix Your ROAS (Based on $150M in Spend)

Most ad accounts don’t stall out of nowhere (unless you literally only launched a set-and-forget way back in 2020). You need to know where to look and how to fix an underperforming account before it really causes a problem. Lucky for you, The AdClass 5-Step Diagnostic Playbook is here to save the day!Caleb, Dakota, and Matthew show how they audit and diagnose ad accounts to spot the true constraint fast: offer, funnel math, creative congruence, and signs of fatigue, audience strategy, and working out the finer points of data around attribution and optimization. They also cover hyper-specific use-cases around retargeting, broad targeting + CAPI signals, and a quick study of how flipping an optimization event revived a struggling webinar funnel.This is a value smorgasbord. Whether you see storm clouds on the horizon or you just want to be prepared for when the waves come along, you’ll have a map ready to help you and your ads navigate through the high tides of paid media!If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode! And if you have a moment, please rate and share!

August 27, 2025Episode 2931 min

What’s Working In Paid Advertising RIGHT NOW

The world of advertising moves fast. What worked last week might flop today. In this “state of the union” episode, Caleb, Dakota, and Matthew break down what’s actually working right now in paid advertising, with a special look at how organic content is reshaping the way ad campaigns are being built and scaled.The team dives into the power of organic-style content, why webinars are making a comeback, why speed-to-lead setter teams are changing the game, and how the trust recession is shaping ad creative in 2025. They also explore the role of AI in video ads, predictions for the next big shifts down the road, and why authentic human connection is becoming more valuable than ever in marketing.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode! And if you have a moment, please rate and share!

August 13, 2025Episode 2833 min

Vibe Marketing Has Changed Advertising Forever!

You've probably heard of vibe marketing, but what exactly is it? Sometimes the best marketing isn’t about hard selling at all, it’s about creating a vibe people want to be part of. In a world oversaturated with CTAs and scarcity plays, audiences are gravitating toward brands that feel authentic, intentional, and emotionally magnetic. And with the rise of AI integrations into workflows, we are truly experiencing a new frontier for getting your message out in a fresh way.In this episode, Dakota and Matthew unpack the rise of vibe marketing, how to create content that sells without pushing, why the right tone and aesthetic can outperform the best copy, and real-world examples of brands winning by leading with identity and atmosphere. They dig into storytelling, social trends, and subtle creative cues that make your audience feel something before they buy anything. Vibe marketing is here to stay! Time to get on board.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode! And if you have a moment, please rate and share!

June 4, 2025Episode 2727 min

How We Took a Client from Zero Paid Closes to 28X Return in 2025

When a client comes to you after spending $340K on ads with zero sales attributed, where do you even start? In this episode, Caleb and Matthew break down the exact steps they took to turn a restaurant POS account with plenty of spend but no results into a funnel that’s now producing a 28X LTV return. From fixing funnel gaps to improving lead quality and dialing in creative, this is a real-world case study of what’s working right now.Caleb and Matthew walk through key lessons from this turnaround, such as why intent-driven funnels matter, how to structure testing for real insights, and why messaging needs to hit true pain points. They also share tips on creative strategy, LTV-first thinking, and why great marketing always starts with understanding human behavior. If you’re looking for practical ways to improve your paid funnel in 2025, this one’s packed with actionable takeaways.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode! And if you have a moment, please rate and share!

June 2, 2025Episode 2633 min

Pattern Interrupts, AI Slop, and the Return of Realness in Ads

Is the era of overly polished, AI-generated ads finally dying? In this episode, Caleb and Matthew sit down with performance strategist Elly Charland to break down what’s actually working in ad creative right now, from viral hooks and pattern interrupts to low-budget videos that outperform studio shoots. It’s a deep dive into why “realness” is winning and how even a phone-filmed ad can dominate in 2025.The gang unpack everything from rage-baiting and Thanos memes to the creative gold found in simple Instagram stories. You’ll hear why organic and paid content need to work together, how to avoid falling into AI slop territory, and how sincere, scrappy content can build trust fast. If you want your ads to connect, convert, and stop the scroll, this is the playbook.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode! And if you have a moment, please rate and share!

March 20, 2025Episode 2536 min

How To Turn Remote Work Culture Into Results

Building a strong company culture without a physical office might sound challenging historically speaking, but it’s been one of the most central reasons for growing our fully remote team to a point of amazing success. With insights on everything workplace culture including the importance of daily team syncs and celebrating wins to hiring with intentionality and leading with trust, we’re sharing what’s working for us with our 30-person success formula (plus a few hilarious stories along the way).In this episode, Caleb and Matthew dive into the real rhythms behind remote work culture, including how to keep your team connected, avoid Zoom fatigue, build camaraderie, and create a workplace people genuinely enjoy. With everything from topical teamwide power hours, fish trophies, and breakroom banter, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how AdClass keeps culture thriving even when separated by thousands of miles.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode! And if you have a moment, please rate and share!

March 5, 2025Episode 2414 min

Is 2025 the Year of the Low-Ticket Offer?

In 2025, high-ticket sales aren’t as simple as they used to be. With rising ad costs and a growing trust recession, buyers are more skeptical than ever. So how do you keep high-ticket conversions strong? One solution is low-ticket offers. A well-placed low-ticket product can serve as a bridge, building trust and qualifying serious buyers before they ever reach your high-ticket offer. But if you’re running only low-ticket, you might be stuck in a volume game with shrinking margins. In this episode, Caleb and Matthew explore the relationship between high and low ticket offers, how to integrate low-ticket into a high-ticket business without diluting its value, and how to design a hybrid funnel to balance volume, profitability, and long-term sustainability.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode! And if you have a moment, please rate and share!

February 19, 2025Episode 231 hr 1 min

AI-Proof Your Job (By Using AI)

Don't call it a comeback! Caleb, Dakota, and Matthew return to catch up on how the marketing landscape looks in the wake of the continued rise of AI.AI has been a hot topic globally in almost every industry for the last few years, but it is undeniably reaching new heights in recent months. With new ChatGPT models released more and more frequently, companies developing new AI-centric tools inhouse, and competitors such as DeepSeak driving innovation, 2025 will be the year that marketing is changed forever. Are you ready?The lads get together to discuss the changes in the marketing space, how AdClass is embracing AI in daily work-life, and why you need to get ahead of the curve and adopt AI solutions to save your job.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode! And if you have a moment, please rate and share!

October 16, 2024Episode 2233 min

Unlock Data Accuracy - How Conversions API is Changing Meta Ads

Wondering how to optimize your Meta ads in today’s privacy-first world? Dakota and Matthew break down the Conversions API (CAPI) and explain how it can drastically improve your ad performance by solving the issues caused by browser-based tracking limitations.Learn what CAPI is, how it works, and why it plays a pivotal role in better targeting and more accurate data. From real-world examples to best practices, we'll get you caught up with everything you need to know to stay ahead of the competition.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode!If you have a moment, please rate and share!