Lead Balloon - Marketing, Public Relations and Strategic Communications Stories

Hosted by Dusty Weis

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Sep 2026

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About the show

Compelling tales from the world of public relations, marketing and branding, told by the well-meaning communications professionals who lived them. Lead Balloon is like Freakonomics for communicators and media consumers. It's a show where we tell stories from communications industry leaders, brands that everyone knows and loves (or hates), and spectacular PR disasters. With immersive storytelling and a wry sense of humor, host Dusty Weis (nominated for "Best Indie Podcast Host" at the 2026 Podcast Academy awards) revisits epic PR disasters, intense communications scenarios, professional inflection points and notable campaigns we all remember, and usually finds a reason to chuckle. Because sometimes, there are important lessons to be learned from someone else's worst day. And sometimes, it's just more convenient than group therapy. Lead Balloon is an award-winning program, named by Adweek as "Marketing Podcast of the Year," nominated for a Webby award and nominated twice for "Best Business Podcast" in the Podcast Academy awards. Tune in monthly for new episodes. Visit podcampmedia.com/leadballoon to learn more.

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September 29, 202650 min

73. AI Podcasts Scrapped: Inception Point CEO Jeanine Wright Explains Pivot, Rebrand as Liquid Studios

As they promote their new AI technologies, executives at tech startups have said some outlandish things. Making bold claims gets headlines. It secures meetings. It closes funding deals. It also runs the risk of being seen as manipulative, insincere and opaque. So in this episode, we have a big update to the story of Inception Point AI. This startup burst onto the scene a year ago using AI podcast hosts to produce 3,000 episodes a week of fully synthetic content. We'll speak with CEO Jeanine Wright herself to confirm that the company has pivoted its business model and spun off a B2B brand as Liquid Studios, an AI-driven "content transformation" engine. She tells us that Inception Point's AI podcast feeds have mostly been abandoned, and that monetization of fully-synthetic, human-like content is no longer a revenue source for the company. But we're also going to have some uncomfortable conversation about how we got here, because many of us in the podcast industry are still pretty peeved about this story. Inception Point told us they were going to revolutionize podcasting by replacing human hosts with AI. Most of us didn't like that. Now they're quietly backing away from that business model and that brand, and they claim that the business was always intended as a B2B platform for enterprises to adapt their content at-scale. So was it all a publicity stunt? Did the backlash hit home? Can we trust anything that tech CEOs say in 2026? We'll discuss all this with Jeanine, as well as Award-winning podcast host Ronald Young, Jr. (Weight For It, Pop Culture Happy Hour) Dr. Jeremy Morris, professor of media and cultural studies at the University of Wisconsin We edit all our podcast interviews to optimize the story for listeners and provide context and commentary. This episode is no exception. In the name of fairness and full transparency, we are also sharing the uncut video of the interview with Jeanine Wright so that you can decide whether our coverage of this issue is fair or not. You can view that uncut version here: https://youtu.be/F-BTnjIV81M Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 25, 202641 min

72. Bald as a Brand: What is Baldmaxxing and Why Should Marketers Pay Attention? w/ Harry James and Brennan Johnson

For decades, baldness has been seen as undesirable—for men AND women. Traditional and social media both have reinforced the message that a thick, luscious head of hair is synonymous with desirability and success. And marketers have hocked products to prevent, hide or "cure" baldness—but never to embrace it. However, a new online trend—"Baldmaxxing"—is changing the narrative around hair loss, and opening up a new market for shrewd communicators. Harry James is the founder of Baldcafé, a popular online community and YouTube channel created to help men embrace hair loss, overcome insecurity, and build confidence. He’s also credited with coining the term “Baldmaxxing,” empowering men to celebrate their ascent into baldness rather than try to cover it up. And Brennan Nevada Johnson is the founder and CEO of Brennan Nevada Inc., a black-and-female-owned PR and media relations agency working in New York. Brennan has been bald by choice for 15 years, hosts the podcast Bald and Buzzed with Brennan, and works to help other bald women affirm their beauty and bolster their confidence. So in this episode, these two outspoken advocates for baldness as beauty are going to explain the momentum behind the Baldmaxxing movement, critique decades worth of messaging on the topic, and prove conclusively that baldness isn't JUST an untapped opportunity for brands. In 2026, bald IS a brand, in and of itself. Make sure to check out: Baldcafe - https://www.youtube.com/Baldcafe Bald and Buzzed with Brennan https://www.youtube.com/@BaldBuzzedwithBrennan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 29, 202636 min

71. America's Brand: Reclaiming Patriotism for Regular Americans, with Joe Trahan (APR Fellow PRSA)

Every nation on the planet is its own brand. And love of country plays a part in each one. But here in the U.S., the very notion of patriotism has been polarized. Culture warriors have attempted to unilaterally define what it means to be American, and they paint anyone who disagrees as unpatriotic. So how did one extremist ideology corner the market on branding American patriotism? Why is it imperative for regular Americans to reclaim the American brand? And why is the so-called “opposition” SO BAD at branding and messaging? A respected public relations leader, government PR trainer and service member Dr. Joe Trahan joins us to discuss. Dr. Joe is the founder of Trahan and Associates, a recognized leader in media relations and crisis communications for more than 23 years. He's a former member of the PRSA national board. Earlier in his career, he achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel in the US Army Reserve, and commanded the 314th Public Affairs Operations Center. And as an instructor, he has taught media relations to thousands of pupils in 46 U.S. states, 5 NATO allies, Mexico and Paraguay, in addition to teaching PIO courses at FEMA for more than 20 years. Together, we'll honor 250 years of American exceptionalism by doubling down on the principles that actually made this country great: service, civil discourse, and compromise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 30, 202639 min

70. How to Go Viral and Not Screw Up Your Kid's Life, with the Original "Hysterical Bubbles" Laughing Baby (All Grown Up)

The annals of internet history are littered with cautionary tales from young people who became internet famous. From “Star Wars Kid” (Ghyslain Raza) to “Overly Attached Girlfriend” (Laina Morris), many viral stars of the early internet did not intend to become memes. And the unintended attention and even bullying that accompany online celebrity can have a profound—even damaging—impact on a kid’s life. Yet surveys indicate that many young people still aspire to become internet famous. So is there a way to achieve viral notoriety without screwing up your kid’s life? We’ll talk to the internet’s favorite laughing baby, whose infectious giggle owned the world wide web in 2011 after her mom posted a video of the family dog popping bubbles. The video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnagemulucw ) was seen by tens of millions of people, featured on national television, and yielded significant ad and licensing revenue. 15 years later, little Molly is almost all grown up, and living the happy, normal life of an average teenager, thanks to parents who set the virtual boundaries that allowed that to happen. And Molly (and her parents) have lessons to share from which we all can learn—whether or not we aspire to be the internet’s next viral star. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 28, 202646 min

69. How the Snapple Brand Won Our Hearts in the 90s, Then Lost Them

The strategy at the heart of the Snapple brand's precipitous rise... and its cataclysmic fall... is simple. "Embrace your roots. Celebrate authenticity." It's a lesson that's been served up again and again in the brands and marketing ecosystem. But it never seems to sink in. So in this episode, we'll pop the top on a Snapple double feature. First, Jane Cavalier tells us about pitching Snapple's iconic slogan, "Made From the Best Stuff on Earth," and watching it flop with the company's original owners. And then, Richard Kirshenbaum outlines the genesis of the iconic "Snapple Lady" ad campaign, which catapulted Snapple into a multi-billion dollar brand--that is, until new owners changed course and sunk $1.4 billion in mismanaged brand value. Richard will tell us how he discovered Wendy Kaufman, the iconic brand spokeswoman whose folksy New York persona peaked the brand's popularity, and why they eventually had to part ways. And together, Jane and Richard will parse lessons hard-earned in the hustle of Madison Avenue, and retell a tale as old as the Golden Goose itself: "If you've got a good thing going, but you don't understand how it works, for the love of God don't tinker with it." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April 29, 202643 min

68. Seth Rogen Film, The Interview, Sparks a North Korean Hack Attack and a Hollywood PR Debacle for Sony Pictures' CEO

In 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment sparked an international diplomatic crisis when it announced its latest comedy, which they called “The Interview.” Starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Randall Park as a parodied version of North Korea’s Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-Un, the film features a slapstick plotline where a couple of bumbling journalists are recruited by the CIA to assassinate the reclusive dictator. But when the teaser for the flick hit the internet, the real life hostile foreign power was not amused. North Korea spent the ensuing months issuing threats of violence and terrorist attacks. And then, just a month before the film's scheduled release, the hermit kingdom successfully hacked Sony's computer servers, publishing damaging information for anyone to access on the internet. So in this episode of Lead Balloon, we speak with Michael Lynton, who was the CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment at the time, and ultimately gave the film the green light for production. We discuss the public relations fallout from the hack, how he set about rebuilding the company's reputation, and WHY he even chose to launch that project--a mistake he still feels is the biggest he's made in a long entertainment industry career. Co-authored with Joshua Steiner, Michael's new book "From Mistakes to Meaning: Owning Your Past So It Doesn't Own You" is available now, wherever you get books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 31, 202633 min

67. Coca-Cola's Master's Tournament Sponsorship Triggers 2002 Boycott Threat, with Ben Deutsch and Dr. Martha Burk

Home to the Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Golf Club typically serves as a backdrop for sports drama. But in 2002, the club itself became the story, as its men-only membership policy came under the microscope in an unexpected and sensational showdown between women's rights activists and the club's defiant adherence to "tradition." The tale of how the conflict came to a head is an unlikely Public Relations parable in its own right, driven by two iconoclasts of their era: Augusta National chair Hootie Johnson and Dr. Martha Burk, the chair of the National Council of Women’s Organizations. And, as a signature sponsor of the Masters Tournament, Coca-Cola had to thread the PR needle, trying to land on the right side of history without alienating the powerful Augusta National Golf Club, the pro golf establishment and all of their supporters. In this remastered episode, retired Coca-Cola Vice President of Communications Ben Deutsch shares his recollection of the showdown, and Dr. Martha Burk explains how she orchestrated an effective pressure campaign against Masters Tournament sponsors and Augusta National members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February 24, 202637 min

66. Cracks in the ICE: Legal Observers in Minneapolis Use the First Amendment to Swing Public Opinion About Immigration Crackdown

Since the government shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, something has changed in the national conversation about the Trump Administration’s immigration policies. And the primary reason it’s happening is not a brilliant PR campaign, Pulitzer-winning journalism, or organized political strategy. It’s because of regular folks with camera phones documenting what’s actually happening on the streets of Minneapolis and other cities that have been occupied by ICE. By simply recording and sharing, they have publicly and irrefutably contradicted the Trump Administration’s blatant lies. And now, many people who did not want to pay attention to the issue are paying attention. Some folks who supported the aggressive immigration enforcement now don’t. And citizens who were not comfortable questioning the administration’s lies... question them now. Whether you want to call them “Legal Observers,” “Constitutional Observers,” or "regular folks" who record what’s happening, the impact is profound. So in this episode, we discuss why these brave Minnesotans with camera phones are such a potent force in the current political environment with Scott Libin, a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism. And, we speak with a former law enforcement leader in the Midwest who says more people need to pick up their smartphones and serve as "legal observers." Dave Mahoney served as Dane County, Wisconsin Sheriff from 2007 to 2021, and shared an interesting encounter with Dusty in 2011 that cemented both of their appreciations for the First Amendment right to document the government's actions. For those who are interested in serving as legal observers, Libin and Mahoney will even lay out some steps for enhancing your effectiveness and bolstering your safety. Because every American has a role to play in protecting our constitutional rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January 27, 202643 min

65. Delicious Redemption: Getting Fired for an Infamous PBR Tweet Made Corey Smale the CCO at Garage Beer

It was four years ago that the Twitter account for legendary beer brand Pabst Blue Ribbon tweeted out: "Not drinking this January? Try eating ass!" And we're FINALLY talking to the guy who did it. Because Corey Smale—who was promptly fired for the Tweet and owned it publicly—isn't just PBR's ex-social media manager. He's now been named Ad Age's "Marketer of the Year" for his current work as Chief Creative Officer at Garage Beer, one of the fastest-growing beer brands in the world. Look, we already covered the PBR "eating ass" tweet extensively in episode 30 of this podcast. And Dusty arrived at the conclusion that it might have been a dumb thing to tweet, but it was consistent with the brand voice that management and fans had embraced. Firing Corey was just an act of scapegoating. But in this episode, we'll chart the four-year redemption ordeal that took Corey Smale from social media fall guy… to the creative force behind a growing beverage brand that counts football and podcast sensations Jason and Travis Kelce among its co-owners. Corey will tell us about the very deliberate decision-making that rebuilt his reputation, the uncertainty that comes from missing on a big swing, and the source of the work ethic that has propelled him to the top of the marketing heap. Plus, we'll talk about the creative process behind Garage Beer's deliciously deranged marketing and social media presence, including its "Brewmite" martial arts movie, its Predator parody "Thermal Buzz," and a water bed that dispenses beer to one lucky brand fan. Check out the video version if you want to see clips of the creative assets: https://youtu.be/X32LR9Q0SVs Finally, Corey will break a bit of Garage Beer merchandising news—the upcoming launch of its "Beer Hand," a reimagined Nintendo Power Glove designed to aid the wearer in making life decisions and pounding brewskies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 22, 202535 min

64. The Wikipedia Prank: Why the Internet Mistakenly Thought the Movie Good Luck Chuck was Based on Ben Kollenbroich

15 years ago, if you had googled Ben Kollenbroich’s name, you would have discovered that his life story was the inspiration for “Good Luck Chuck,” a mid-budget, critically-panned romantic comedy starring Dane Cook and Jessica Alba. That’s not REMOTELY true, however. In fact, Ben Kollenbroich was just a regular 25-year-old guy in 2010. There certainly weren't any movies based on his life. And it wasn't an accident, a mix up or a mistaken identity that caused dozens of websites… and even his own grandmother… to believe otherwise It was an intentional and painstakingly-implemented prank executed by one of his best friends. With time to kill and a dogged commitment to the bit, Ben’s buddy Vince had cultivated a steady buzz of internet chatter claiming that Ben had inspired the Hollywood flop. Over the course of months, he gradually built up the source material needed to keep that fabricated factoid on Wikipedia. But what started as a prank got suddenly serious when Vince’s made-up Internet claim started to circulate all on its own. Search results for Ben’s name cited him as the movie's inspiration for more than 10 years. And neither of them was capable of doing anything about it. In this episode, Ben and Vince recount the story... and reflect back on an era when people still believed what they read on the Internet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices