Why are we suddenly afraid of microplastics (something scientists have known about since the 1970s)? It’s not the data. It’s the drama. In this episode, I break down how a single terrifying stat, “you eat a credit card’s worth of plastic every week,” turned a niche environmental concern into a growing national panic.

But this isn’t just about plastic plates and BPA bans. It’s about how environmental messaging works and why it so often outperforms traditional marketing. I discuss how fear, simplicity, and a good story can move products faster than any product demo ever could.

I also examine how the environmental movement picks its stories. It’s not based on urgency or science but on virality, and that’s where the real marketing lessons lie.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why “a spoonful of fear” is more effective than a pile of data
• How microplastic messaging mirrors classic consumer marketing strategies
• The reason people are buying glass Tupperware (and ditching plastic) overnight
• What sea turtles, ozone holes, and red lights teach us about audience psychology
• Why brands should jump on this trend now if their products are already plastic-free
• The simple formula behind viral cause marketing (and how you can use it)

Do you have a question or just need to vent about your marketing frustrations? Send it to fbymarketing@skyeline.com, and I might just answer it in a future episode.

FRUSTRATED BY YOUR MARKETING? is hosted by Jim DeMicco and presented by SkyeLine Studio.

LET’S CONNECT: LinkedIn | Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter/X

What does it mean when Elmo parts ways with HBO and lands on Netflix? On the surface, it’s just another licensing deal, but it’s actually a masterclass in brand alignment, strategic partnerships, and earning consumer trust. I explain how HBO’s decision to let go of Sesame Street isn’t a loss but a smart refocus on its core identity. Meanwhile, Netflix didn’t just acquire a show. They borrowed decades of trust from parents without changing anything about their platform.

But it’s not just about Elmo. I also dive into the bigger shifts in kids’ content, from Cocomelon’s hyper-optimized attention grabs to the thoughtful rise of creators like Ms. Rachel. Plus, we explore what this all means for public media’s future role - not in content creation, but in content curation.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why HBO was right to drop Sesame Street, and what it says about knowing your audience
• How Netflix uses Elmo as a perception play, not just a programming decision
• Why Cocomelon drives parents nuts, but still dominates kids’ screens
• What makes Ms. Rachel a modern-day Mr. Rogers
• Why public media needs to shift from funding to filtering
• The branding lesson every business can learn from this platform pivot

Do you have a question or just need to vent about your marketing frustrations? Send it to fbymarketing@skyeline.com, and I might just answer it in a future episode.

FRUSTRATED BY YOUR MARKETING? is hosted by Jim DeMicco and presented by SkyeLine Studio.

LET’S CONNECT: LinkedIn | Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter/X

• What OpenAI and Jony Ive are building, and why it could be revolutionary
• Why HBO is putting “Max” in reverse and re-embracing its heritage brand
• What Jaguar’s branding mess reveals about mismatched audiences and agencies
• A look at AI-first and AI-forward companies (and why it matters)
• How CEOs at Shopify and Fiverr are preparing for an AI-dominated future
• Why “being the AI person” at your company might save your job
• A listener's question about freelance client ghosting, and my real-world advice

• Sam & Jony introduce io
• HBO Max is Back
• Episode 38 - Walmart & Jaguar’s Logo Redesigns: Pointless or Brilliant?
• A Letter from Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke
• A Letter from Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufman