Best Monopol Media Podcasts (2024)

1
IGN: Corporate Consolidation's Impact on Games Media 54:25

8d ago54:25

54:25

Hello, everybody, and welcome to the latest episode of Consolidation Watch - a show where we puff out our proverbial chests and celebrate all of the excellent acquisitions that mega-corporations have completed recently! This week, we've got a doozy for ya' from the world of games media, where IGN successfully ate up the Gamer Network, home of mains…

1
Josh Bowlby Interview: UI/UX Design & Community Building 1:02:54

22d ago1:02:54

1:02:54

This week, Zak and Aaron chat with Josh Bowlby, a UI/UX designer (user interface and user experience, for the neophytes out there) who has experience at companies like Virtuix and Wayfinder developer Airship Syndicate, among others. Not only was he kind enough to speak on some of his experiences in that space, but also his active role in the Austin…

1
Fallout: A New Era of Multimedia Franchises? 56:17

2M ago56:17

56:17

War. War never changes... but the media landscape sure does. With Amazon's new Fallout show dominating headlines and streaming charts alike, Zak and Aaron returned to the vault this week to dust off an old favorite topic: video game adaptations. This time, the question at hand isn't the program's quality (spoilers: it's pretty good), but rather wha…

1
Epic vs. Apple Lawsuit: The Fate of Platform Monopolization 58:36

2M ago58:36

58:36

Ahh, Apple. Creators of the smartphone, pioneers of industry, the gold standard for excellence, the last bastion of inspiration in a world that's gone dull, and... an illegal monopoly? That's what a recent set of lawsuits allege - and they're gaining traction. Between an all-out assault from Epic Games' Tim Sweeney and an 88-page treatise on illega…

1
Dragon's Dogma 2: Does Review Bombing Work? 58:07

3M ago58:07

58:07

Rejoice, RPG fans, for Dragon's Dogma 2 is finally here! The reviews are in, and the consensus is... well, complicated as hell. While critics are stoked overall, fans seem to have some grievances — and they're quite happy to share them. This brings Zak and Aaron to the ever-relevant topic of review bombing, or the practice of leaving droves of nega…

1
Suicide Squad: The Desperate State of AAA Games 58:00

3M ago58:00

58:00

When you think of AAA games, does your mind fill with excitement imagining what spectacular worlds dedicated artists have crafted for you with the benefit of near-limitless resources? Or do you imagine boardrooms filled with disinterested people demanding endless compromises in pursuit of maximum profit? This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to politel…

1
Adam Powell Interview: Union Organizing and the Games Industry 1:12:03

4M ago1:12:03

1:12:03

At this point, trying to find a new or clever way to say that the games industry is in turmoil is a profound exercise in futility. There is no one way to "fix" the problems that seem to follow developers from studio to studio, but there's one pretty clear step in the right direction: unions. This week, Zak and Aaron sit down with former union organ…

1
Palworld: Imitation, Inspiration, and Poké-Plagiarism 1:00:56

4M ago1:00:56

1:00:56

If you've spent any time on the internet as of late, odds are you've stumbled across something about a new game called Palworld - otherwise known as "Pokémon with guns." Hell, with north of 19 million downloads and record-breaking player counts on Steam, it's easily set to be one of the biggest games of the year. But what is it, really? This week, …

1
Chasing Pre-Orders: Early Access Monetization Madness 54:13

5M ago54:13

54:13

Hello, everybody, and welcome to season three of Some Patches Required! Our intrepid hosts have been away for a while, but the games industry certainly didn't take a break with them, as mass layoffs, leaks, hacks, studio closures, and more dominated the headlines. This week, Zak and Aaron tackle the messy topics of true early access and the recent …

1
Swifties Takeover and Halloween Trends! | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 10/27 30:34

8M ago30:34

30:34

Joe and Kiersten are back in the studio! This week, they tackle the current worldwide phenomenons of Taylor Swift and TikTok. Is TikTok making its way to your local restaurant or sports bar? Taylor Swifts new movie releases as well as new music and fans are going WILD! Plus your favorite Halloween costumes and trends that you didn't know!…

1
Taylor Swift Does Sports While Elon and Bezos Monopolize the Future | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 10/20 32:49

8M ago32:49

32:49

Digital Ad Market Update: 10/6 - 10/20 2023 Joe and producer Alex are in the studio to break down the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 33 minutes or less. Top Stories: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are colliding fan bases and the NFL is obsessed. Sports betting scandals, Sunday Ticket confusion, and Toy Story football? All i…

1
Campaign Memes and Target Backlash! | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 8/29 39:58

10M ago39:58

39:58

Joe is back! Joe and Kiersten rehash the Presidential Campaign and the memes that developed. X and Target stores recieve backlash after questionable marketing choices. And everyones getting ready for the long awaited NFL season and popular marketing campaigns that follow.By Of Record

1
Is Disney Coming to an End? Plus Barbie vs. Aliens! | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 8/18 39:35

10M ago39:35

39:35

On this weeks OfRecord, the Barbies take over! Kiersten is joined by Anabella, Jamie, and Tori to discuss the latest trends. The Barbie movie marketing is still excelling while the Snow White movie remake is already getting its fair share of controversy. Aliens are real? We dive into this newest discovery as well as opinions on the Twitter rebrand …

1
Baldur's Gate 3: Breaking the AAA Mold 1:15:20

10M ago1:15:20

1:15:20

Have you ever felt exhausted by the neverending onslaught of updates, microtransactions, generic mechanics, and performance issues that seem to define modern AAA games? Well, do we ever have a new title for you! This week, Zak and Aaron discuss the myriad ways that the newly released Baldur's Gate 3 - and Larian Studios - break the mold established…

1
Alan Wake 2: Physical Distribution & Game Preservation 1:12:37

11M ago1:12:37

1:12:37

The world is changing, and media is changing with it. What do you own? What does renting even mean in the era of subscription services and online storefronts? More importantly, what happens to a work of art when it's lost to time? This week, Zak and Aaron dive into the topic of game preservation in the (Alan) wake of several high-profile games goin…

1
Graphics vs. Gameplay: BattleBit & Stylized Games 1:09:36

11M ago1:09:36

1:09:36

After a few unfortunate delays, Zak and Aaron are back to ask you a simple question: Do you value visual extravagance over gameplay excellence, or do you think they can work together? Moreover, is there a seat for style at the table? Between the blocky art of BattleBit, the breathtaking but broken Jedi Survivor, and an endless supply of Aaron's use…

1
Amazon vs. Taylor Swift: Battle of the Incomes | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 7/13 30:44

11M ago30:44

30:44

Joe and Kiersten are back in the studio! Amazon Prime Day and Taylor Swift are the hot topics, with a quick update on McDonald's Grimace marketing campaign!By Of Record

1
Peasant's Podcast and 4th of July Solved! | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 7/6 38:31

12M ago38:31

38:31

Joe and Kiersten are out of the office! That means the interns, Jamie and Anabella, takeover the podcast for a special Peasant's episode! Jamie and Anabella tackle the 4th of July holiday and it's wildest traditions, trivia, and trends! (much more exciting than ol' Joe)By Of Record

1
Grimace Takeover and Lettuce Taco 'bout it! | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 6/27 34:39

12M ago34:39

34:39

Joe and Kiersten talk about the TikTok sensation: Grimace! These two discuss Mcdonald's and Barbie marketing tactics and how some have been surprising and somewhat horrific. Later, Joe and Jamie take on a Taco Bell lawsuit on "Taco Tuesday" as well as the latest Tiktok trends.By Of Record

1
Apple Vision Pro: Is this a Watershed Moment? 1:17:07

12M ago1:17:07

1:17:07

This week, Zak and Aaron chat about what the semi-recently-announced Apple Vision Pro could mean for the VR, AR, and MR market. Will it fall flat on its face like Google Glass? Will it spur on competition like the original Oculus or HTC Vive? Or could it change the game entirely through the power of brand cachet and good marketing? Only time will t…

1
Barbie's Horror House and Titanic 2 | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 6/22 37:41

12M ago37:41

37:41

On this episode of "OfRecord", Joe and Kiersten dive into the upcoming Barbie movie where everything might not be what is seems. The newest story that shook the nation; OceanGate Submarine goes missing in the middle of the ocean while making its journey to visit the Titanic. Also, latest Movie and TV show trends and how companies are blowing up med…

1
Alex Malcolm Interview: Music Licensing in Video Games 1:21:56

1y ago1:21:56

1:21:56

This week, Zak and Aaron chat across three different time zones! Was that sensationalist enough to grab your attention?? Good, because the third time zone is occupied by Alex Malcolm, who works in music licensing for Warner Music Group. This fella has brokered deals for numerous games, and was kind enough to share some insight into the process of w…

1
Apple's Vision of the Cyborg Evolution | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 6/8 28:12

1y ago28:12

28:12

Digital Ad Market Update: 6/2 - 6/8 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and Producer Alex are in the studio to break down the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 29 minutes or less. Top Story: Apple recently unveiled its first product in the VR/AR headset space, and we are doing a deep dive into the capabilities of the device and the future of…

1
Cameron Paxton Interview: Composing Music for Indie Games 1:18:24

1y ago1:18:24

1:18:24

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to talk with the profoundly talented Cameron Paxton - the composer for the game Dome Keeper - about the intricacies of writing music for games. Naturally, Aaron rambles on about esoteric ideas, Zak stays on topic, and our guest brings insight to spare. If you're interested in musical composition, creativity, or jus…

1
Weekly Digital Marketing Update 6/1 | Pride Backlash and Bungled Presidential Launches 31:39

1y ago31:39

31:39

Digital Ad Market Update: 5/26 - 6/1 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and producer Alex are in the studio to break down the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 32 minutes or less. Top Stories: Not every business knows how to traverse public opinion, especially during Pride month. Let's dive into it. Presidential launches in Twitter Spaces? …

1
Weekly Digital Marketing Update 5/25 | Beer Pour Outs, Pickleball Hangouts, and Free TVs 38:41

1y ago38:41

38:41

Digital Ad Market Update: 5/12 - 5/25 2023 Joe and Kiersten are in the studio to break down the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 39 minutes or less. Top Stories: The beer of the masses has many pouring out their glasses. What happened with Anheuser-Busch? Pluto TV is giving away free TVs for what? Selling your soul? Nope, ju…

1
Tears of the Kingdom: What Makes a Successful Sequel? 1:16:42

1y ago1:16:42

1:16:42

At this point, it's only a few degrees shy of impossible that you haven't heard of the newest Legend of Zelda game, Tears of the Kingdom. Was that sentence confusing? Well, so is trying to evaluate what makes a good sequel. And yet, Zak and Aaron dive into the murky depths of media to discuss what makes a successful sequel, especially when it comes…

1
A Royal Writers Strike and Logo Rebrands | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 5/11 56:59

1y ago56:59

56:59

Digital Ad Market Update: 4/23 - 5/11 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and producer Alex are in the studio to give you all the latest marketing, tech, culture related news from the last two weeks. Hear it all in X minutes or less. Top Stories: King Charles' Coronation happened. We have some thoughts. The Writers Guild strike is halting the production of TV show…

1
Fortnite: The Evolution of UGC Platforms 1:12:34

1y ago1:12:34

1:12:34

This week, Zak and Aaron hop right back into the maelstrom that is the modern games industry. Wait, were you expecting something different? Maybe you don't know their particular brand. On this particular, acronym-filled venture, Zak and Aaron try to unpack the evolution of UGC, especially as it pertains to Fortnite and the Unreal Engine. Between th…

1
RE4 Remake: The Ethics of Post-Launch Microtransactions 1:11:36

1y ago1:11:36

1:11:36

Hello everybody, and welcome to an unseasonably spooky episode of Some Patches Required! This week, Zak and Aaron dive back into the murky waters of microtransactions, this time within the context of the Resident Evil 4 Remake. Is it okay to add pay-to-win mechanics after launch? Why would a developer or publisher decide to do so? How many times ca…

1
Taylor's Era and the Nintendoverse | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 4/21 37:15

1y ago37:15

37:15

Digital Ad Market Update: 4/15 - 4/21 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and producer Alex are in the studio to break down some of the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 38 minutes or less. Top Stories: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour might go all the way to the Billion Club, but will Beyonce get there first? The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a smash…

1
Bud Light Says Goodbye to Dilly Dilly | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 4/14 48:05

1y ago48:05

48:05

Digital Ad Market Update: 4/7 - 4/14 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and producer Alex are in the studio to give you a deep dive into the Bud Light situation and our opinion on what Anheuser-Busch should have done. Hear it all in 49 minutes or less. Top Stories: Who is Bud Light's new brand manager? What beer brand would have been better poised to pivot its au…

1
Press Reset: The Human Cost of Making Video Games 1:14:09

1y ago1:14:09

1:14:09

Well, would you look at that!? This one's on time! And it's interesting, to boot. This week, Zak and Aaron have a chat about Jason Schreier's exceptional book "Press Reset," and each chooses a few topics that fascinate them. Zak is mostly articulate and focused. Aaron rambles a bit and bloviates a lot. But, all-in-all, the conversation incorporates…

1
The More Than TikTok Act and Bud Light's Brand Pivot | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 4/6 45:23

1y ago45:23

45:23

Digital Ad Market Update: 3/30 - 4/6 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and producer Alex are in the studio to give you a breakdown of the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 46 minutes or less. Top Stories: The vast overreach of the bills supposedly just targeting TikTok, including the DATA Act and the RESTRICT Act, are becoming a growing po…

1
Dungeons & Dragons: The Influence of TTRPG's on Gaming (ft. Undercommon Taste) 1:13:20

1y ago1:13:20

1:13:20

This week on SPR, Zak and Aaron team up with the crew from the Undercommon Taste podcast to discuss the lasting impact and influence of TTRPGs (or table-top roleplaying games for you neophytes out there) on the world of video games. It's a fun conversation full of laughs, relatable anecdotes, good vibes, and a lower-than-normal number of curse word…

1
AI Kanye Lives In the Metaverse and Uses Pay-to-Play Twitter | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 3/29 44:11

1y ago44:11

44:11

Digital Ad Market Update: 3/25 - 3/29 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and Producer Alex are back in the studio for another Of Record episode. We break down everything marketing, tech, and culture-related in 45 minutes or less. Top Stories: Is Twitter failing? Or is Elon Musk planning something big? Let's get into it. Life By You is the newest Sims competitor t…

1
Meta Pulls Congress' Senile Strings at TikTok Hearing | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 3/24 48:36

1y ago48:36

48:36

Digital Ad Market Update: 3/18 - 3/24 2023 This week we have Joe, Kiersten, and producer Alex in the studio to cover some of the biggest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 49 minutes or less. Top Stories: Is TikTok getting banned? Is Congress competent enough to understand what Wi-Fi is? Is American big tech like Meta secretly paying…

1
Banning TikTok During the Chatbot Gold Rush | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 3/17 28:03

1+ y ago28:03

28:03

Digital Ad Market Update: 3/10 - 3/17 2023 This week we have Joe, Kiersten, and Producer Alex in the studio to give you a breakdown of the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 29 minutes or less. Top Stories: Is TikTok getting banned? Let's discuss this. Google has been plotting and calculating for a while to take over cable. Ho…

1
The Last of Us: Challenges in Translating Games to Film & TV 1:13:15

1+ y ago1:13:15

1:13:15

With all evidence pointing to The Last of Us being HBO's next big hit, Zak and Aaron decided to take a moment to discuss a few things surrounding the show, especially the difficulties intrinsic to translating games to film and TV. Naturally, Aaron bloviated beyond belief (after one successful sentence) and steered the conversation in the wrong dire…

1
Its a Bird, Its a Plane, Oh Wait, It's a Drone Advertisement | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 3/9 48:50

1+ y ago48:50

48:50

Digital Ad Market Update: 2/25 - 3/9 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and Producer Alex are in the studio to talk about Uber Ads, the Hogwarts Legacy Universe, ESPNs latest bid, and drone advertising. Hear all the marketing, tech, and culture news in 49 minutes or less. Top Stories: Uber ads are the latest ad product on the market and were breaking down all the…

1
Pokemon: When Fandom & Consumerism Limit a Franchise 1:11:35

1+ y ago1:11:35

1:11:35

Hello everybody and welcome to season two of Some Patches Required! If you're new to the show, we're happy to have you! If you're already familiar with our particular brand of games-industry coverage/conversations, we're thrilled that you stuck around. It's only going to get better from here. This time around, we're talking about the endearing mess…

1
The Impossible Wienermobile Asks Bing About Section 230 | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 2/24 42:22

1+ y ago42:22

42:22

Digital Ad Market Update: 2/18 - 2/24 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and Producer Alex are in the studio to give you the rundown of the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 43 minutes or less. Top Stories: The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile had some parts stolen recently, and who is swooping in to help? Section 230 is being debated in the Suprem…

1
Rihanna Halftime Show, Super Bowl Ads, and Unhinged ChatGPT | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 2/17 44:07

1+ y ago44:07

44:07

Digital Ad Market Update: 2/11 - 2/17 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and Producer Alex are in the studio with some post-Super Bowl stories and the latest AI headlines making waves. Tune in for all the marketing, tech, and culture-related news in 45 minutes or less. Top Stories: We break down Rihanna's halftime show that had many of us thinking the same thing.…

1
The AI-Filled Post-Grammys Pre-Super Bowl Episode | Weekly Digital Marketing update 2/10 43:07

1+ y ago43:07

43:07

Digital Ad Market Update: 1/27 - 2/10 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and Producer Alex are back in the studio with all the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 44 minutes or less. Top Stories: With all the news these days related to AI, we wanted to break down a few of the latest headlines. We talk about the 2023 Grammys and how to make ne…

1
Peak Podcast, Swipe Right Dilemma, and Live Nation in the Hot Seat | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 1/26 51:15

1+ y ago51:15

51:15

Digital Ad Market Update: 1/6 - 1/26 2023 In the studio for our first episode of 2023, we have Joe, Kiersten, and Producer Alex back in the studio. Get ready for all the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 52 minutes or less. Top Stories: Apple VR is not making its debut any time soon. Dating apps can get niche and some can cha…

1
Hey ChatGPT, How Do You Manage the NFL and Southwest Airlines Crises? | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 1/5 54:00

1+ y ago54:00

54:00

Digital Ad Market Update: 12/20 - 1/5 2023 Joe, Kiersten, and Producer Alex are in the studio breaking down the latest crises in the media and the AI that is giving Google heartburn. Hear it all in 54 minutes or less. Top Stories: We dive into the latest tragedy in the NFL, involving Damar Hamlin from the Buffalo Bills, and how they handled it. Sou…

1
BeReal Miss America, Do You Drink Mocktails? | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 12/19 45:22

1+ y ago45:22

45:22

Digital Ad Market Update: 12/10 - 12/19 2022 Joe and Kiersten are in the studio this week with some of the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 46 minutes or less. Top Stories: Get ready for the rebranding disaster of the year. We're looking at you, Miss America Pageant. Can an alcoholic society function on a zero-proof beer age…

1
Put Your Crocs in Sports Mode Its the Trendy Christmas Gift Episode | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 12/9 29:23

1+ y ago29:23

29:23

Digital Ad Market Update: 12/6 - 12/9 2022 Joe, Kiersten, and producer Alex are giving you the low down on the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 30 minutes or less. Top Stories: Crocs are making a comeback and we have Zoomers to thank for it. Apple Music is releasing a new feature called Sing. We break down the best useless g…

1
Usurped Christmas Queen, the Ticket Cartel, and AI Ancestry | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 12/5 47:35

1+ y ago47:35

47:35

Digital Ad Market Update 11/24 - 12/5 2022 Joe, Kiersten, and producer Alex are in the studio to break down some of the latest marketing, tech, and culture news. Hear it all in 48 minutes or less. Top Stories: BTS member V bests Mariah Carey in a Top Christmas song list. Ticketmaster has been talked about a lot lately due to their monopolistic hold…

1
Holiday Sales Are Whelming & Lowes Makes Flight Delays Festive for this Maximalist Holiday | Weekly Digital Marketing Update 11/23 45:27

1+ y ago45:27

45:27

Digital Ad Market Update: 11/18 - 11/23 2022 Joe, Kiersten, and producer Alex are bringing you some of the latest marketing, tech, and culture-related news for this holiday-themed episode. Hear it all in 46 minutes or less. Top Stories: Holiday shopping sales are flatlining but we're still breaking down the biggest consumer trends this year. Good l…

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Monopol Media Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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