Rick & Rick Rule the World

Hosted by Rick Mathieson & Rick Wootten

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197

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Insights on marketing, media, tech, and pop culture—served with an extra-large helping of fun. Join award-winning creative director and bestselling author Rick Mathieson and seasoned Silicon Valley marketer Rick Wootten as they explore the latest trends, tools, and strategies in advertising, digital, social, experiential, and content marketing. Plus SEO/AEO, multi-flavor AI (generative, agentic, neurosymbolic, etc.), your choice of realities (virtual, augmented, mixed)—and the B2B and B2C marketers and brands out to make the most of them. Whether you’re entry-level, CxO, or creative, the spoiler alert’s the same: This isn’t your grandpa’s marketing podcast. It’s an irreverent, fast-paced dispatch on brand innovation at the corner of awesome and WTF. Guest interviews, pop quizzes, and unfortunate bouts of singing are involved, too. Consider yourself warned.

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60 recent

September 5, 202621 min

Movie Review: 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'

🦶🏻 Peter Parker serves up some not-so-small potatoes: In the conclusion of this two-part episode, the Ricks and guest Kurt Ho pivot to that other massive blockbuster for summer 2026—“Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” IN THIS EPISODE 💀 Enter: The Punisher, the Hulk, the Black Widow—and Jean Grey? 👀 From pure evil to a righteous quest: What’s gotten into Grey? 🦂 From Scorpion to Ramrod, famous comic book covers come to life 🕷️ Getting back to basics with your friendly neighborhood webslinger 😎 A spectacular 3D experience, even for Rick W. 🌆 A cinematic postcard-cum-love-letter to New York City 💰 Spidey does serious box office–but where’s Peter getting his spending money? 🕸️ Techno or organic: What’s your preferred web shooter? 🧠 Drop your inhibitor: Did Peter outbrain Bruce Banner–and will he regret it? 🧤 Is the Hulk always a cameo, never the lead? Which Hulk could change that? ❓ Did the Hulk and Ned really remember who Peter is? If so, ho? Brought to you by Taskin, the first name in ultra-stylish, premium-quality travel gear for 🛩-setters everywhere. Shop now and save 30% with promo code R&RTAKE30 at TaskinSF.com: ow.ly/Vh6M30r9EpF👐🏻 Approximately 18 minutes. Review your streamer’s privacy policies. Episode may feature audio, visual and/or other forms of content developed using AI or other digital tools. © Maverix, LLC.

August 26, 202624 min

Movie Review: Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’

🎥 In Part One of a two-part episode, the Ricks are joined by guest Kurt Ho for the first of two movie reviews of this summer’s biggest blockbusters. First up: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” IN THIS EPISODE 🖖 One Rick’s odyssey leaving Las Vegas—and fleeing Trekkers 🕷️ Two blockbusters starring Tom Holland, a few common themes 👁️ Matt Damon’s 10 years dodging a cyclops, witches, and bad decisions 👀 Kurt spoils himself with back-to-back adventures in IMAX 🔫 If “Inception” is Nolan’s heist movie & “Tenet” his Bond, what is “Odyssey”? 🥷 Jason Bourne is ready to rumble, but why is Tom Holland so hollow? 🤔 Is this the Christopher Nolan movie that’s not quite a Christopher Nolan movie? 🥋 Why Robert P. & Tom H. were just grasshoppers to Damon’s Kung-Fu master 🐶 Petting the dog: A tear-jerking story about a boy, his dad—and his dad’s dog 🎭 Anne Hathaway’s masterclass on acting and layered performances 📕 Homer’s myth about gods and monsters, not “historical” accuracy 💰 “The Odyssey” breaks box office records for Nolan, Damon—but not Holland 👸🏾 Zendaya does Athena—or does she? A debate about her role 💀 A Punisher out of time: Jon Bernthal’s Greek accent is Bronx to us 🎬 The cyclops sizzles: Nolan’s practical effects in a CGI-crazy world 🖼️ Nolan channels Redon’s “The Cyclops” at a key moment 🪞 What does it mean that this is the first movie filmed entirely in IMAX? ⚡️ Zeus’s Law: Does the film reflect a Homeric or Christian worldview? 🐴 Burning Troy: the myth and Nolan’s message to modern audiences 🔤 The Ricks and Kurt give their final grades for Nolan’s “The Odyssey” Approximately 24 min, 15 sec. Review your streamer’s privacy policies. Episode may feature audio, visual and/or other forms of content developed using AI or other digital tools. © Maverix, LLC.

August 17, 202619 min

Brand Activations, Big Trailer Drops & More at Comic-Con 2026

💥The biggest brand activations, the buzziest trailer drops, the most bodacious new merch, and more: Learn how the Ricks won San Diego Comic-Con 2026—with a little help from Kurt Ho, Eric V. and 135,000 of their closest friends. Think: DC’s Lanterns, Clayface, and Superman: Man of Tomorrow. Marvel’s Ghost Rider, Black Panther 3, and Avengers: Doomsday. Plus: Blade Runner 2099, LEGO loot, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and the cookiest cosplay—as seen by the coolest crew to hit this year’s Con. IN THIS EPISODE 🎙️ What happens in Vegas goes straight to a Rick & Rick recording session (at 01:11) 🎬 56-years young: What exactly is San Diego Comic-Con, anyway? (02:52) 🎢 The highs, lows, and WTFs of geekdom’s biggest annual event (03:22) 🤖 Marvel showcases Victor von Doom and Ryan Gosling the Friendly Ghost (Rider) (05:33) 🖖 Star Trek: Lower Decks: The Movie? Is it buzz—or BS? (06:18) 🤲 Replicating greatness: Blade Runner parties like it’s 2099 (07:50) 🔋 DC’s Lanterns: Still lame, or suddenly looking cool? (08:08) ⏫ Wearing Jean Grey How Johnny Dep, Ryan Reynolds & other celebs cosplay (10:06) 🧱 Kurt rocks the Rick and Rick merch—and scores big bucks with a LEGO kit (12:06) 🏬 Brand activations from DC, All-State, Star Trek, A Christmas Carol, and more (14:29) 🤔 How do you solve a problem like Hall H? If only PetCo Field was just a block away (16:10) Approximately 18 minutes. Review your streamer’s privacy policies. Episode may feature audio, visual and/or other forms of content developed using AI or other digital tools. © Maverix, LLC.

August 6, 202617 min

☕️ How Starbucks Brewed Its Buzz Back, BMW Curbs Corners, Twix Is for Dummies & More

Starbucks serves up a turnaround fit for Gen Z. BMW brings corners to court. Twix doubles down on a new ventriloquist act. Plus Loaded Questions and more— straight from the intersection of marketing, media, tech and pop culture. IN THIS EPISODE ☕️ Novelty drinks power a Starbucks turnaround—when they don’t run out of coffee (at 01:40) 🛞 BMW meets Law & Order: Special Vehicular Unit in a noirish new campaign (06:18) 🍫 Twix’s "Dummy Dilemma” injects a ventriloquist’s double act with R&B (08:12) 🎟️ Full-year box office sales: How will 2026 stack up? (11:42) 🏛️ How movie ticket sales compare to books, music, games…and museums? (12:06) Approximately 17 minutes, 15 seconds. Review your streamer’s privacy policies. Episode may feature audio, visual and/or other forms of content developed using AI or other digital tools. © Maverix, LLC.

July 22, 202617 min

💥 Celebrating the Life of Comic Book Legend Stan Lee

From the vault, just in time for ComicCon 2026: The Ricks celebrate the life of Stan Lee in this November 2018 episode recorded just hours after the death of this comic book industry icon. Approximate 17 minutes. Review your streamer’s privacy policies. Episode may feature audio, visual and/or other forms of content developed using generative AI or other digital tools. © Maverix, LLC.

July 16, 202620 min

🍟 Five Guy’s Fry Cup Scandal, Ferrari’s $640K Luce Fiasco, GTA 6’s $3 Billion Launch

⏱️ $3 billion gone in 60 minutes: Grand Theft Auto 6’s sizzling pre-orders. Why Ferrari thought the Luce EV would light up sales. And Five Guys serves itself a kerfuffle over its fry cups. Plus Loaded Questions and a whole lot more, straight from the intersection of marketing, media, tech and pop culture. IN THIS EPISODE 🛞 Did pre-sales of Rockstar’s GTA 6 really hit $3 billion in 1 hour? (at 01:22) 🪫 The $640K Ferrari Luce: a hit stuck in neutral, or a serious misfire? (07:06) 🤯 The greasy backlash over Five Guys' beloved fry cups (10:25) 🤓 Meta’s paywall for a hearing boost built into its smart glasses (14:21) ⚽️ David Beckham makes bank on overexposure—but is it at brands’ expense? (16:16) 💩 goodwipe’s “Scentsational Summer” campaign is a stinker (on purpose) (17:30) Approximately 20 minutes. Review your streamer’s privacy policies. Episode may feature audio, visual and/or other forms of content developed using generative AI or other digital tools. © Maverix, LLC.

July 9, 202619 min

⚽️ World Cup Advertising 2026: Spots That Scored

📺 World Cup mania has come to marketing, and the Ricks are scouting out the spots that are scoring big—from brands like Lays, BofA, Michelob ULTRA, Apple and more. Plus: Our Spidey-senses are tingling over this summer’s box office pre-sales champ, the rough road ahead for US auto brands, and more. IN THIS EPISODE 🏟️ What happens when the World Cup comes to town (at 01:00) 🚌 Jump in, Lays lovers, we’re going band-wagoning (72andSunny) (03:39) 🏦 BofA fuels brandamonium via Fan Bands (Octagon) (06:11) 🍺 Michelob ULTRA attempts a Superior Match via Matrix-style futbol (BBDO) (09:03) 🍎 Apple and Vini Jr. tune out the world in an unintuitive spot (Apple) (11:14) 👟 Adidas’ “Backyard Legends” brings the star power (LOLA USA) (12:04) 🤫 What does Gen Z trust more than social media for product info? (14:57) 🚗 Is the joy ride over for US auto brands? What’s next, by the numbers (16:36) 🎬 Peter Parker appears to be this summer’s box office champ in pre-sales (17:53) Approximately 19 minutes. Review your streamer’s privacy policies. Episode may feature audio, visual and/or other forms of content developed using generative AI or other digital tools. © Maverix, LLC.

July 2, 202621 min

🎮 Big Moves at XBOX, Netflix, Cannes, and … Peak GenAI?

XBOX thinks outside the well, box. Brands who love AI influencers and the consumers who hate them. Three big themes from the 2026 Cannes Lions, and more. And is GenAI about to hit Gartner’s Trough of Disillusionment?” IN THIS EPISODE 🎮 XBOX hits 25 with a quarter-life crisis all its own 🧟‍♀️ Why did Netflix cancel a hit show after just one season? 🤖 AI influencers: Brands love ‘em…but what about consumers? 🔃 Have we finally hit peak GenAI? And what comes next? ☀️ AI, Entertainment, the Creator Economy at the Cannes Lions 😎 Sony Pictures Entertainment bets big on The Cosm ⚽️ Mercado Libre scores big with a stadium-sized barcode Brought to you by Taskin, the first name in ultra-stylish, premium-quality travel gear for 🛩-setters everywhere. Shop now and save 30% with promo code R&RTAKE30 at TaskinSF.com: ow.ly/Vh6M30r9EpF👐🏻 Approximately 21 minutes. Review your streamer’s privacy policies. Episode may feature audio, visual and/or other forms of content developed using generative AI or other digital tools. © Maverix, LLC.

June 7, 202618 min

🚀 Rick and Rick Review ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’

It’s the first new Star Wars movie in over seven years, which means it’s time for an official, Rick and Rick review of “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Super fans Eric V. and Kurt Ho—the Comic Book Kids—join the conversation with their takes on the latest entry in their all-time favorite franchise. Plus, the crew try to stump each other in a Mando & Grogu trivia challenge—and attempt to do a medley of the Imperial March Needless to say, it doesn’t end well. IN THIS EPISODE: 🚀 Star Wars—in 3D, wrap-around, IMAX, or ? (at 1:08) 🍿 The story ‘til now: From Disney+ to a cineplex near you (1:52) ⛩️ Eric & Kurt go full Mando at Mann’s—and revisit memories (2:49) 🎥 Is Mando a bomb? A blockbuster? Or both? (3:53) 🔫 Skywalker Saga: 40 years of family, friendship, and fandom (5:01) 👖 Is that Obi Wan Wootten? Is he wearing pants this time? (6:35) 🤬 Watto waits for no one—except maybe Ani (6:52) 🙌🏼 Did Mando & Grogu successfully leap to the silver screen? (7:08) 🌀 🌀 Where are all our All-Terrain Armored Transports (AT-ATs)? (7:34) 🍝 Mando’s go-to meal—a Spaghetti Western with garlic Grogu Sauce (8:30) 🎬 Finding the Way: Is on-camera acting really required anymore? (10:00) 🤖 Does the Mandalorian and Grogu make a case for AI in filmmaking (11:54) 🎤 The Imperial March like you’ve never heard it before (13:08) 🛸 What as the name of the Mandalorian’s original space ride? (13:42) 🙅🏽‍♂️ What are other men doing to Mando’s helmet? And do you think he knows? (14:18) 🤠 What if one of those guys is the son of a Hollywood legend? 🥏 Blue is the warmest color: The Trouble with Tribble Milk (15:22) 🐌 Deconstructing the voice of a wannabe man’s-man (or slug) (16:38) 🍔 BBQ Bounty Whoppers: BK’s Mandalorian “Out of This Galaxy” menu (17:27) Brought to you by Taskin, the first name in ultra-stylish, premium-quality travel gear for 🛩-setters everywhere. 👐🏻Shop now and save 30% with promo code R&RTAKE30 at TaskinSF.com: ow.ly/Vh6M30r9EpF👐🏻 Approx. 19 min. Review privacy and cookie policies for SoundCloud, iTunes, Spotify and all other streaming services. Some audio and visual elements created using AI-based tools.

May 29, 202617 min

🧟 Why Marketers Are Obsessed With ‘Obsession,’ Robot Fight Club, the Cult of Canva & More

A look at the outdoor campaign for the hit horror flick “Obsession” that’s so effective, it’s scary. New trends in robot boxing. McDonald’s fries do the moonwalk. Canva fosters a squirrel-based “cult.” Plus Loaded Questions, and a whole lot more. IN THIS EPISODE 🍿 An unconventional campaign for an unconventional horror film (at 01:36) 🍟 McDonald’s French fries get in touch with their inner Michael Jackson (06:17) 🫯 First rule of Robot Fight Club: You pay $50, they fight for your pleasure (07:29) 🐿️ Canva tries to go viral with a campaign promoting a squirrel-loving cult (08:47) 🥒 From KFC’s Pickle Puffer Jacket to McDonald’s Pickle Juice Cramp Remedy (11:37) 🅧 A Gen X equivalent of Okay Boomer? Gen X doesn’t give an hoot (13:35) 👶🏼 A look at the future of Generation Beta, or Generation AI (14:40) Brought to you by Taskin, the first name in ultra-stylish, premium-quality travel gear for 🛩-setters everywhere. Shop now and save 30% with promo code R&RTAKE30 at TaskinSF.com: ow.ly/Vh6M30r9EpF👐🏻 Approximately 18 minutes. Review your streamer’s privacy policies. Episode may feature audio, visual and/or other forms of content developed using generative AI or other digital tools.